Institut for (X)

Institut for (X) is a culture, business and education platform founded in 2009. It is an independent and not-for-profit culture association that grew from citizen initiatives.

Institut for (X) is a culture and business platform for young designers, musicians, artists, entrepreneurs and craftsmen working side by side. Since 2009, the institute has been located in and around a former customs building in central Aarhus, Denmark. The various more or less temporary buildings in the area house workshops and office facilities created by initiatives of all sorts representing approximately 90 projects, 50 businesses and 35 associations.

The vision of the centre is to facilitate cultural and creative grassroots initiatives in Aarhus and help create a ‘good city for all’, with a special focus on social environments. X also works actively with the municipality of Aarhus on furthering development of the city as a whole.

X attracts citizens of all ages ranging from young primary school students in the FabLab to Viking martial arts practitioners, designers, jazz musicians, beer brewers and many more all with an interest in creating something and making Aarhus a better city.

What makes your organisation unique?

Institut for (X) actively plays on the synergies between politics, business and culture, in order to support and build on the overall image of Aarhus as a grassroots city. It has recently negotiated a 10-year extension agreement with Aarhus Municipality. IF(X) runs the creative urban planning project BDK for the Mayor of Aarhus, with the mandate to be a thorn in the side of Aarhus Municipality, aiming for 8,000 creative freezones in Aarhus.