Rote Fabrik Cultural Centre

Transformation of an abandoned silk factory

time frame: Start Date 1980

End Date ongoing

initiators: Young activists and artists
Founded Interessengemeinschaft Rote Fabrik (IGRF) as legal body to run the center and negotiate with the municipality

users: Musicians, artists, actors
Programs, events and schools open to the general public

municipal role: Owner of site
Subsidizes programming
City ordinances governing noise levels and bar/restaurant closing hours clash with interests of Rote Fabric users

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Rote Fabrik, located in an abandoned silk factory in Zurich, Switzerland, today is one of Europe's largest, most diverse and longest-standing alternative cultural centres. Born out of a protest movement in the punk cultural climate of 1980, Rote Fabrik has grown to attract about 200,000 people yearly to visual and performing arts events, schools and workshops, the restaurant or the exhibition hall. The old factory also provides about 80 long-term studios for musicians, actors, media designers and artists. Rote Fabrik is a democratic, non-heirarchical organization, composed of working groups (i.e. rock, jazz, films, political debate, womens programme, etc), a board and permanent employees.

TYPE OF USE
Alternative cultural center: events, restaurant, schools, exhibition hall

AMOUNT OF PEOPLE
Temporary users
200+ musicians, actors and artists use studio space
about 80 permanent jobs
100-200 people are freelance contibutors to autonomous working groups

VISITORS 7 CLIENTS
about 200,000 people per year

CONTACT INFORMATION
http://www.rotefabrik.ch/
Interessengemeinschaft Rote Fabrik
Postfach 1073
Seestrasse 395
8038 Zürich
Tel : ++41 (0)1 481 91 43
Fax : ++41 (0)1 482 92 10
e-mail: info@rotefabrik.ch

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legal: Since 1987, legal permanent status, one of Zurichs largest cultural institutions

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