The Baťa factory in Partizánske is in a derelict state today. Help us revive Building 61 back to life and to create a cultural and community space here.
Why are we on a mission to save the building?
This is a valuable building in the former Baťa factory that has a good chance at a new life. It can be filled with fresh air and be turned into a cultural and community space. It will offer co-working and offices spaces, studios and also enough space for various cultural, community and workshop activities. You will be able to find all this in Building 61,spread over 8000 m2.
Partizánske is a town full of unique architecture and urban style. It was established by the well-known company Baťa and became the shoe-making centre of Slovakia.
The modern town was built upon fields and reclaimed swamp land in the Upper Nitra region in a manner that had not been seen before. Along with it came a high standard of living, high wages, a cinema, a jazz café, and other facilities which made Baťovany a town of the future.
We have planned the project Fabrika 61 to build upon this famous heritage n a manner that will bring new opportunities.
We believe that we can create groundwork where all generations can come together. The space will offer an opportunity for everyone to grow.
What will the revived factory space look like?
It will be a place for fun, education, relaxation or work. Building 61 will be a place for people to come together and help move our region forward.
Your help will also aid us in transforming Building 61 into a cultural and community-minded space. This vision is based on the results of the participative study. We have included local individuals, businesses and initiatives in both the creation of our vision and the subsequent execution.
This is not only about rescuing the building. This project will also help create new jobs and it will provide fertile ground for the co-existence across all generations.
The revitalisation of the building will provide the necessary space for the younger generation, who are not very inspired to continue living in this region partly due to the absence of such a space.
A new safe space for today’s children and teens will be created, together with a wide variety of community activities.
This, in turn, can attract creatives and highly educated people who might inspire new projects and bring new impulses to the region.
Who is behind this campaign?
The concept “Fabrika umenia” was established in 2015. Back then, our dream was to create a cultural centre in the former Baťa factory. That is also why we named it Fabrika Umenia (Factory of art) 😊
Since then, we have managed to bring a lot of new culture formats to Partizánske. The festival titled Moc umenia (The Power of Art, as a pun on The Night of Art in Slovak) was our pilot project and this year it will celebrate its 10th year.
Equally important for us is raising awareness about the value that the architecture and urbanism of a town has. We organise guided tours and discussions, we have created a printed and online guide, and also the website www.batovany.sk and the tourist information hub and heritage centre Baťa Point.
Fabrika Umenia’s mission is to build a cultural and community space in Partizánske, which will enhance and contribute to the growth of culture, the town and the region, but above all, the individual.
Who do we work with?
A team of experts underpin this project. With the Baťa spirit in mind, we always look for the very best.
Together with the architects from štúdio 2021 we have chosen to absolutely preserve the character of the original architecture, whilst allowing us to utilize the space in a sustainable manner, both from a financial and an energy perspective.
The project was also supported by Spolka, an organisation that created a participative study, which outlined the options for collaborations and implementation of the project in the region. The study deemed the project feasible and sustainable for the community and the wider region.
A group of volunteers who dedicate a tremendous amount of their personal time to the project have played a crucial role in moving the entire project closer to reality. Without them, it would all be a grand distant dream.
And now we want to reach out to you. Come and join us and become part of the story of this unique building. In order to move the story forward, we need your help.
The grand ambition of this project is not lost on us. But one of Baťa's slogans says: “Success begins with courage”. And we do have one of the essential ingredients for success, so let us also try to fulfil another of Baťa’s motto: Fantasy today, reality tomorrow!
What will we use the funds for?
As of April this year, the OZ Fabrika umenia has entered into a Future Contract Agreement with the current owner of the building. This agreement will roll over into an outright purchase agreement later this calendar year, making Fabrika umenia the owner of the building. In the meantime, we have important work to do, and we need your help.
We've broken it down into a few specific steps and campaign milestones as follows:
Milestone 1 – €10,000 – the building is structurally sound. However, it has one problematic column that needs to be replaced with a new structural solution.
Achieving the first milestone is one of the conditions set by the bank for us to get the loan. Please help us achieve it so that we can finally buy Building 61.
Milestone 2 – €15,000 – we will pay for the work of the architects, which is an important part of the project in the grant process.
Milestone 3 – €20,000 – this will help us cover all the expenses associated with the preparation of the grant from the Upper Nitra Transformation Fund.
Will €20,000 really be enough then?
No. But it's an important chunk of money that will help us cover expenses without which we couldn't prepare grant applications. These will be an important resource for the renovation of the building.
If this fundraiser goes well, we will add other milestones. These will enable us to make the building accessible even before the major renovation.
€ 40,000 – We will repair all the damaged window panes
€ 55,000 – We'll be able to redo the electrical wiring
€75,000 – New water mains can be installed
€100,000 – New sewer mains can be installed
€150,000 – Toilets on the ground floor can be built
We expect to find out in autumn 2024 if we have been successful with our grant application and can get on with the major refurbishment. However, we also have a plan B in place in case we are unsuccessful with the grant. Those would entail smaller modifications to the space, but after this initial intervention, we will be able to use it and make it available to the public. In any case, your contribution will not be wasted at all.
The primary aim, in addition to saving and comprehensively renovating the building, is to revitalise it culturally and to operate it in a meaningful and sustainable way. That is why we are also considering a ‚First Aid Investment Plan‘, which would make it possible to organise cultural and social activities from the outset, without the need for millions of euros in investment and total reconstruction. This is a set of small technical adjustments and necessary interventions that could, at minimum cost, kick-start the real use of the building. Of course, with an emphasis on safety and basic requirements for hygiene and ensuring a usable and decent space. This package is valued at €150,000.
Regardless of the „First Aid“ plan, the final and main goal of the project is the total restoration and renovation of the building and its surroundings.
Let’s breathe new life into Building 61!
The factory was the reason why the Baťa company built a town in the Upper Nitra region. The factory gave work and created a modern lifestyle for many families. It is time to give it back its dignity, to breathe new life into it.
Building 61 is a place ready to restore what has been taken from it. To put its soul back where it belongs. Ready for a revival that everyone can be a part of. You notwithstanding!
THANK YOU!
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