<div>Na Údolní v Brně má vzniknout zázemí pro setkávání umělců</div> translates to <div>A facility for artists' meetings is to be established on Údolní in Brno</div>

Brno - A creative hub is to be established in the former premises of the Brno University of Technology on Údolní Street in Brno, a place for meetings of artists and creative people. The city is expected to contribute about 12.25 million crowns, and the region should match this amount. This was announced to journalists today by Matěj Hollan (Žít Brno), the mayor's deputy responsible for culture. The regional support was confirmed to ČTK by its spokesperson Monika Brindzáková.

According to Hollan, however, the project is being delayed by the lax approach of the coalition partners. Later, artists are expected to move to a much larger Creative Center, which is set to be built for hundreds of millions in the former prison on Cejl Street.

According to Žít Brno, there are 22,000 creative artists in Brno, ranging from visual arts to design, architecture, film, crafts, music, and the gaming industry. The hub is expected to offer offices, exhibition spaces, as well as areas for workshops and seminars. The idea of a creative hub was proposed by the South Moravian Innovation Center (JIC) as early as last year, according to Hollan.

“The project is part of the Regional Innovation Strategy of the South Moravian Region, as is the project for the Creative Center in the former prison. It is precisely there that the creative hub from Údolní Street could move in the later years,” said JIC spokesperson Ivana Malá to ČTK. According to her, JIC hopes that the city will support the creative hub. “Right now, we are waiting for the September meeting of the council, where the support should be decided,” added Malá.

Brindzáková confirmed that the region is ready to give over 12 million crowns, just like the city. According to Hollan, eight million crowns would be allocated for the renovation of the building, and the rest would be for operations over five years. Hollan said that the project could eventually be self-sufficient, as creatives would be expected to pay rent.

According to Hollan, the creative hub could already be completed. “From my perspective, it is taking an unnecessarily long time to sign the contract for the design of the Creative Center in the former prison on Bratislavská, which is to be the final product in the area of support for cultural and creative industries. The winner of the architectural competition has already been known for three months. I believe that despite these unnecessary delays, it will be possible to conclude the contracts necessary for designing the Creative Center and launching the creative hub on time,” added Hollan.