WUK, an acronym that stands for ‘Werkstätten – und Kulturhaus’, roughly translates to “House for Workshops and Culture”. Laid out over 12,000m² in a former locomotive factory in Vienna, WUK is an open cultural space for the living interaction of art, politics and social issues. It links the overlapping synergetic models of a sociocultural centre and an international centre of art and culture. As a sociocultural centre, WUK focuses on furthering processes of liberation and independence, help and self-help, district-based cultural work and self-government, along with self-organisation and autonomy. As a centre of art and culture, WUK concentrates on promoting the production and presentation of innovative, experimental, interdisciplinary, critical art and culture at a local, regional and international level.

WUK provides a venue as well as organisational support to those interested in art, politics and social engagement, offering a space for contemplation, discussion and exploration.

What makes your organisation unique?

The unique organisational structure includes three different components: cultural productions (music, performing arts, children’s culture and arts); education and counselling (12 education and counselling institutions); as well as a socio-cultural centre, which is home to 150 independent groups and initiatives.