In Brno, a creative industry incubator is set to be established

Brno - The Brno city hall wants to create a center where people from the creative industry could acquire offices and studios for a favorable rent. The so-called business incubator is intended to serve starting architects, designers, fashion designers, artists, computer game and advertising creators, and publishers. The city hall has chosen the former correctional facility on Bratislavská Street as the location. However, the building is in poor technical condition, so technicians will first assess whether it can be used for this purpose, said the mayor's deputy Oliver Pospíšil (ČSSD) to journalists today.
     The building on Bratislavská Street offers more than 10,000 square meters of space. Moreover, it is owned by the city, so artists could work there without the risk of the owner deciding to do something else with the property and terminating their lease. The creation of the Creative Center Brno was supported this week by the councilors, who approved a four-million grant.
     The funds will also be used for a survey assessing the current cultural and creative industry in Brno, including its supply and demand. It will also identify funding options. Aside from the approved four million crowns, Brno does not want to invest any additional money into the center. Future operations will be financed from other grant funds and rental income.
     According to the municipal press release, Brno has good prerequisites for the establishment of a similar incubator. In the creative industry, 5.6 percent of the city's workforce is employed, while the average in the European Union is 3.2 percent. Leading the way are Amsterdam (7 percent) and Helsinki (6.5 percent).
     The creative center aims to connect talented individuals from artistic and related fields and to prevent their outflow from the city. "The center can attract a new kind of investors linked to the creative industry to the city, thereby offering people new jobs and opportunities," stated Mayor Roman Onderka (ČSSD) in the press release. The center is also intended to be open to the public, featuring a gallery, club, café, restaurant, and halls for lectures, festivals, or workshops.
     The study concerning the center and the creative industry in Brno will begin in December. It is expected to be completed by the end of February 2013.