Färgfabriken (“paint factory” in English) is a platform and exhibition venue for contemporary cultural expressions, with an emphasis on art, architecture and urban planning. It is established in an industrial building, originating in 1889. The building previously accommodated a paint factory, from which the initiative also borrows its name. Färgfabriken is run by a foundation that was established in 1995 by Alcro-Beckers AB and ColArt AB (both owned by Lindéngruppen, a private industrial company), SAR (Swedish Association of Architects) and a group of artists and architects.
Färgfabriken (“paint factory” in English) is located in a former industrial building in the neighbourhood of Lövholmen, an industrial area in Stockholm. The building was originally designed in 1889 for the production activities of the Palmcrantz company. In 1902, the building was taken over by Wilhelm Becker, a firm producing paint, soap and artist materials. In 1985, Lindéngruppen, a family business focussed on industrial investments, gained ownership over Beckers firm and the premises. When the painting business ceased, Ulf G. Lindén, director of Lindéngruppen and an art lover, started to draft plans to establish a cultural centre in the building. Nowadays, the building is a protected monument. In renovations conducted by Lindéngruppen, the industrial character and original features, like monumental pillars, are maintained. [1;2;5]
Färgfabriken aims to cultivate interdisciplinary creative projects by providing a space and environment where a variety of ideas and initiatives can grow and develop freely. Art is a central pillar in their approach and is connected to sectors such as architecture and urban development. The goal is to bring together different stakeholders to advance a spatial antidote to contemporary societal challenges. [1;2]. A range of national and international projects and exhibitions has been conducted in cooperation with different partners, all combining aspects of art, architecture and urban development issues. One of the projects developed by Färgfabriken is the international New Urban Typologies programme, which connects local governments, decision-makers, artists, architects, activists and other stakeholders in developing countries, to foster a process of inclusive urban development. [4;7] Closer to home, the initiative has, among others, built a variety of collaborations with various local design and art initiatives, among others resulting in a collective label under which products from local artists are sold in the shop in the site. Next to this shop, the building from which Färgfabriken operates also has a restaurant and spaces that can be rented for private and public events. [4] Färgfabriken aims to adapt and incorporate the most recent challenge of the Covid-pandemic, to maintain a positive influence on the development of the surrounding area via their wide inclusion of various stakeholders. [1;2]
In 1995 Färgfabriken got established as a private foundation. It was founded by the companies Alcro-Beckers AB and ColArt Sweden AB (both owned by Lindéngruppen) and the Swedish Association of Architects. Currently, its operations are overseen by a board consisting of nine people. The board members reflect the multidisciplinary approach of the organisation as a whole, by representing different backgrounds and interests, including architecture, politics, and art. The board is chaired by the current owner of Lindéngruppen. The board meets four times a year and concentrate their efforts on the financial position of the foundation while allowing for the cultural and artistic programming to be led by the Färgfabriken staff. [1;5]
Next to the foundation, there is an organisation called Färgfabriken Events, which oversees the operation of the restaurant located in the building, and other commercial projects. [5;6]
The building from which Färgfabriken operates is still owned by Lindéngruppen, a family business investing in industrial companies. This building is leased from Lindéngruppen by the foundation. [1;5]
The initial activities of Färgfabriken were funded mainly through Development Aid funds. Nowadays, the foundation’s budget has consolidated. A large portion of the budget comes from sponsorships and grants. Lindéngruppen is the main sponsor of the foundation, contributing an annual estimate of 3 million SEK (€285.000). The remaining budget is provided by donations from philanthropists and public grants, including the national, regional and local government and other public bodies like the National Arts Council. Furthermore, Färgfabriken participates in collaborative projects with other EU countries, for which it draws on EU funding. [1;5]
Färgfabriken, organisational website, fargfabriken.se/en/, accessed on 06-01-2022
Färgfabriken: From producing paint to producing culture, Eutropian for OpenHeritage (H2020 GA 776766), available at vimeo.com/421434984, accessed on 06-01-2022
Lindéngruppen, organisational website, www.lindengruppen.com/, accessed on 06-01-2022
Scan Magazine (2015), Where art meets architecture and urban development, issue 74, pp 46, available at issuu.com/scanmagazine/docs/scanmagazine_74_march_2015/47?e=1081579/11800365, accessed on 06-01-2022
Polyak, L., Patti, D., and Nasya, B. (2019), Färgfabriken (Stockholm, Sweden), D2.2 Individual Report on the Observatory Cases, OpenHeritage, H2020 GA 776766, available on openheritage.eu/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/4_Open-Heritage_Fargfabriken-Stockholm_Observator-Case.pdf, accessed on 04-01-2022
Färgfabriken Event Management, organisational website, fargfabrikenevenemang.se/, accessed on 06-01-2022