Fabryka Sztuki (The Art Factory in English) is a multi-disciplinary cultural and business institution established as a joint initiative of the Łódź Art Center Foundation, the Chorea Theater Association and the Łódź City Hall. It is located in the 19th-century modernised textile warehouses. Fabryka Sztuki provides cultural and artistic education, (co-) organises a range of cultural, artistic and social projects and events, and runs Art_Inkubator, an incubator facility for young entrepreneurs from the creative sector.
The three red brick buildings home to Fabryka Sztuki (‘The Art Factory’ in English) were initially built between 1887 and 1910 as warehouses for fabrics. They were a part of a vast textile factory owned by Karol Scheibler, one of the biggest manufacturers of his days. At the end of the 20th century, when the extensive industrial activity of the city came to an end, artists and event organisers became interested in the derelict buildings, adapting them to host events and performances. [1]
In 2007, Łódź City Hall, Łódź Art Center and CHOREA Theatre Association form Fabryka Sztuki, with the mission to invigorate and professionalise the creative sector as well as revive the buildings. The buildings are renovated between 2012 and 2014, resulting in 7,000 m2 of modernised post-industrial space with many original details and professional space to host events. This combination of original and contemporary design makes that in 2015 Fabryka Sztuki wins the award for ‘Well-kept Monument’ in the category Industrial Architecture and Technical Heritage, organised by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage and the General Conservator of Monuments. [1]
Since 2007, Fabryka Sztuki has stimulated creativity, the acquisition of new skills, and social capital development. [1;3] It provides cultural and artistic education and (co-)organises a range of events, including theatre performances, visual arts and music, as well as lectures and workshops. It is home to many artistic and creative events, like the three international festivals Łódź Design Festival, Fotofestiwal, Retroperspektywy and a range of indoor and open-air concerts. [1] Fabryka Sztuki not only develops its own educational and cultural programming but also provides spaces for other organisations, entrepreneurs and institutions to host their activities like festivals connected to film, music and the city. It is also possible to rent spaces for business meetings and events, like conferences, workshops and fairs.[3]
One of the most critical projects of Fabryka Sztukiis is Art_Inkubator which supports young entrepreneurs from the creative sector, like photographers, graphic designers and artisans. It aims to provide a safe space to establish and develop creative businesses. Through the residency programme at Art_Inkubator, creative entrepreneurs can apply for a workspace in the first years of running their businesses. Next to that, they can avail of substantive, legal and accounting support. [1;2] Moreover, Fabryka Sztuki stimulates networking and the exchange of knowledge and experiences, among others, through informal open breakfasts, networking events, and collaborative projects. It is also possible to rent spaces for business meetings and events, like conferences, workshops and fairs. [1]
Between 2006 and 2019, over 1.600 events were (co-)organised, reaching 835.000 people. Fabryka Sztuki has operated on 19 international projects and, until 2021, has supported 100 enterprises through Art_Inkubator. [3]
Fabryka Sztuki was founded in 2007 as a public cultural institution by a public-private partnership between the Łódź Art Center Foundation, the Chorea Theatre Association and the Łódź City Hall. [1;3] The organisation is managed by a CEO and a Deputy Managing Director, appointed by the three founding partners. [1] Fabryka Sztuki is part of the international networks of Trans Europe Halles and the European Creative Hubs Network. [1]
The three partners in the public-private partnership, Łódź City Hall, Łódź Art Center and CHOREA Theatre Association, all provide annual contributions to Fabryka Sztuki. [3] Fabryka Sztuki is gradually introducing paid entrance to events to deal with rising operating costs due to planned renovations, higher utility costs, and a rise in the minimum wage. It estimates it can cover around 40% of the cost increase this way. The remaining 60% needs to be covered by a rise in earmarked subsidies. [3]
For the development and implementation of many activities, Fabryka Sztuki relies on grant funding from international, national and local public bodies, as well as private cultural institutions. For instance, the establishment of Art_Inkubator has been financed through a project of the European Regional Development Fund (Łódź Regional Operational Programme for 2007-2013.). Of the total budget of €8.017.695, approximately 43% has been financed by the European Union. [4] With this programme ending in 2020, a new financial structure has to be found for the incubator. [3]
Between 2020 and 2023, further renovation and modernization of the buildings are planned. This is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (Łódź Regional Operational Programme for 2014-2020). The estimated value of the project is approximately €1.768.000. [3]
Fabryka Sztuki , organisational website, www.fabrykasztuki.org/, accessed on 15/02/2022
Art_Inkubator, initiative website, www.artinkubator.com/, accessed on 15/02/2022
Maciej Trzebeński , M(2020) Program działania Fabryki Sztuki w Łodzi na lata 2020 – 2026 (The program of the Art Factory in Łódź for the years 2020 – 2026), available (in Polish) at www.fabrykasztuki.org/fabrykasztuki_org/files/docs/fabryka_sztuki_program_2020_x_2026.pdf, accessed on 15/02/2022
European Commission [n.d.], Art_Inkubator provides support and infrastructure for start-ups in creative sectors, available on ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/en/projects/europe/art_inkubator-provides-support-and-infrastructure-for-start-ups-in-creative-sectors, accessed on 15/02/2022