Tabacka Kulturfabrik

Tabačka Kulturfabrik is an open zone for the contemporary art, culture and creative collaboration in Slovakia. It is interested in the energy of contemporary culture and independent art. The centre supports the Slovak art scene by giving space for artists to carry out creative projects. Bringing forward current creations from around the world and exporting local artistic talents abroad, Tabačka presents an innovative perspective on reality.

Tabačka is the result of a civic initiative that started in the 1990s with a need to find spaces for discussing and displaying contemporary art and music productions following the end of the Communist rule. After moving between premises and across the city, the initiative finally was able to repurpose a space in the former tobacco factory on Gorkeho Street in Košice in 2009. The bigger and renovated space was opened in May 2015.

The 2,500m ² centre includes three multifunctional spaces (of different sizes and structures) for public events (including concerts, theatre and dance performances, new circus, discussions, lectures, presentations, workshops, new media, artists in residency, community projects). It also has two recording studios, a cinema, a contemporary art gallery, co-working space as well as office/studio spaces.

Tabačka Kulturfabrik is interested in the energy of contemporary culture and independent art. The centre is a creativity factory, supporting the Slovak art scene by giving space for artists to implement creative projects. Bringing forward current creations from the around world and exporting the local arts abroad, Tabačka Kulturfabrik presents an innovative perspective on reality.

Tabačka is the result of a civic initiative that started in the 1990s with a need to find spaces for discussing and displaying contemporary art and music productions in the wild climate following the end of the Communist rule. After moving between premises and across the city, the initiative finally was able to repurpose a former tabacco factory on Gorkeho street in 2009. Its main challenge has been to grow beyond the tight creative community that has formed around the centre in order to reach a wider audience in the city, which has been successful due to the exponential increase in the number of people coming to see the (often experimental) productions put on at Tabačka over the past several years.

What makes the organisation unique?

Tabačka is a creative hub where authors, community groups and entrepreneurs from many different backgrounds intertwine.

What TEH activities are you a part of?

Artistic Residencies, Staff Exchange