FABRICA DE PENSULE, CLUJ, RUMANIA
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Fabrica de Pensule is a former paintbrush factory in the historical industrial area of Cluj near the river and the railway track stopped activity in 2000 and remains empty.
Experimenting : incubating
In 2008 Istvan Szakats and his fellows from the art scene of Cluj discovered the place that for both its size and its symbolic heritage appeared as the perfect place for hosting an independent art centre. They contacted the owner and managed to negotiate a preferential rent and a shared renovation agreement: the owner would refurbish the outside of the building and they would take care of the inside.
LESSONS LEARNED / RESULTS
After 8 years, Fabrica de Pensule became the largest hotelling of artists in Rumania hosting 35 artists studios, 8 art galleries and 2 performance art companies.
This impressive 5 floors industrial building is an incubator of new talents. It gained international prestige and attracted finally attention and support from the municipality.
DATA
City information
Population size: 251-500 thPopulation development dynamics within the city administrative limits (at the time of the project): Growing
Population development dynamics of the functional urban area (at the time of the project): Growing
Website of the city: www.primariaclujnapoca.ro
Project information
Project territorial scale:
NeighbourhoodProject geographical area: City centre
Project/building proportions: Over 1000 sqm; Project Area: No data/not applicable
Project main actors: Cultural, creative organisation, non-commercial private sector; Owners; 0
Project dominant property ownership: Private
Project development stage (at the time of description): On-going
Project duration: More than 5 years
Project starting date: Before 2010