Sliperiet's offices and workshops on the artistic campus at Umeå University will move into Tullkammaren in central Umeå at the beginning of October. The move will include the incubator Expression Umeå, Kulturverket, and other creative industries with workplaces at Sliperiet.

The background is that Sliperiet, a research and innovation centre, will be rebuilt to create a new interactive environment under a new name, together with Umevatoriet, that can stimulate interest and curiosity about science and technology for all ages. During construction, Sliperiet's offices and workshops with digital design facilities will move to Tullkammaren, bringing them closer to the people of Umeå.

House becomes cultural hub again

Tullkammaren, located on the northern bank of the Ume River, has since the latter part of the 20th century housed a wide range of cultural activities, including Tullkammaren culture with the media centre, Swedish Radio Västerbotten, art schools and galleries, art teacher training and the School of Architecture. For some years, the premises have mainly been used as offices, but now one third of the building is being filled with creative activities, with Sliperiet moving in.

By the end of October, the Slipery's activities should be back up and running in the Customs House. The open workshop FabLab will also open in Sliperiet's 3D and textile and electronics workshops, where anyone can make almost anything.

- Sliperiet is in a very exciting phase of development right now and we are looking forward to moving to Tullkammaren and developing the new activities together with Umevatoriet while the building on the artistic campus is being rebuilt. The proximity to the city centre provides exciting opportunities to reach new target groups and gain experience for the new activities, says Madelen Bodin, director of Sliperiet/Umevatoriet.

Several benefits of getting closer to the centre

In addition to Sliperiet's staff and operations, six organisations will be joining the move, the two largest being Expression Umeå, an academic incubator for cultural and creative industries owned by Umeå University and Umeå Municipality, and Kulturverket, an agency with the mission of harnessing the creativity of children and young people within Umeå Municipality.

Expression Umeå takes over Tullkammaren with its 30 or so creative entrepreneurs. CEO Marlene Johansson is positive about the move:

- We are really looking forward to Tullkammaren as a development environment and incubator for cultural and creative industries in Umeå. Expression is home to many entrepreneurs who are developing their businesses in design, architecture, film, media and music. Tullkammaren is in a great position for us, now that we are making an extra investment in the future of trade and the new entrepreneurship that is emerging.

Hasse Hjortek, artistic director of Kulturverk, also sees benefits in being in the middle of central Umeå:

- Since many of our projects involve children and young people working in workshops and studios, I see great value in moving closer to the city centre, close to the Hamnmagasinet, the Library and Väven. This will make us even more accessible to our target group.