The city of Ghent has a strong attraction for today's artists: they come to the city for art training or because of the presence of other artists. They want the possibility of creative interaction with others, the meeting of minds and the confrontations between diverse cultures and attitudes, the constant crossover of disciplines and ideas.

The presence of artists is important to Ghent. They contribute to an open climate and a relaxed atmosphere in the city. In addition, such instigators of art and culture are often the first sign of better times in poor districts: they help reverse the downwards spiral. It is therefore logical that the city would want to raise this profile even higher in the future.

But atmosphere in itself is not sufficient. Many artists are looking for an affordable place to work. The City is sympathetic to this need and supports the concept of the art studio policy. Such an art studio policy is in fact situated on the crossroads of cultural policy, social welfare and alternative uses for empty buildings.

It is for these reasons that the City of Ghent is giving its full support to NUCLEO vzw, not only financially for its daily operations, but also in terms of infrastructure by cooperating in the search for empty buildings for possible use as art studios

Sas van Rouveroij
First alderman and alderman for Culture and Tourism
City of Ghent

The province of East Flanders wishes to implement its artistic policy in an optimum manner with numerous initiatives and to provide the necessary career support to talented, if not young, artists.
Principally the award of prizes for competitions, commissions, the purchase of works of art and the organisation of exhibitions provide this support.

It is self evident that a suitable workspace is of crucial importance for their artistic output. NUCLEO vzw creates and manages affordable art studios of good quality to the maximum extent possible. Through its operations the organisation serves the interests of the province of Oost-Vlaanderen and as a result the province has decided to provide a substantial subsidy over a period of two years to the operations and initiatives of NUCLEO vzw.

Bob Vanden Eynde
Secretary of the Cultural Committee
The Province of Oost-Vlaanderen

The Municipal Arts Services of Ghent aims to bring its inhabitants closer to the cultural sector and its artists and thereby achieve three objectives:
• To involve as many of its citizens as possible in art and culture which they appreciate;
• To encourage artists and the cultural sector in Ghent to appeal to a wider diversity of people, neighbourhoods, and subcultures;
• To help develop a place where so many interested citizens as possible can be meaningfully involved.

The Municipal Arts Services strongly believes that artists and works of art can provide a profound renewal in the city and thereby give strength and form to neighbourhood communities in a positive manner. The aim is for a democratisation of art and culture arising from the conviction that also local government must help guarantee cultural rights for everyone.

The Municipal Arts Services aims to maximise the interaction with the cultural, social, educational and government sectors. Support and coordination is provided in the form of advice and expertise (e.g. logistical and administrative support, advice on applying for subsidies….), stimulating discussions and cooperation with the various parties, encouragement for reflection about culture and citizenship, the initiation of new and pilot projects.

Anne-Mie Hautekeete
Head of Municipal Art Services
City of Ghent

As in all large towns there are many people in Ghent who have difficulty in fully integrating into society. They are unemployed and have to make do with the minimum social security payment. The training and employment centre (OTC) of the OCMW of Ghent aims to combat such lack of opportunities by providing opportunities for work.

OTC career leaders help candidates find employment. To do this, the OTC cooperates with numerous Ghent associations, with the VDAB, with a number of "independent employers" … and has itself a number of its own "work places". One of these is "the odd job service".

Candidates receive a training of 1 - 2 years by carrying out miscellaneous jobs for OCMW clients at home, in houses rented out by the Housing Service, and there is also cooperation with NUCLEO vzw.

The management committee of OCMW Gent supports this cooperation as both cultural and social objectives are achieved. It creates additional job opportunities in the Ghent region for those without higher education, giving them the chance to learn both social as well as technical skills while at the same time introducing them to "culture in Ghent".
If as a result studios for artists become affordable then it is a win-win situation for all parties concerned.

Bart Morel
Engineer Odd Job Service OTC
OCMW Gent

The AG Stadsontwikkelingsbedrijf Gent, or simply AG SOB, is the autonomous municipal contractor responsible for implementing the city's policy in relation to land and buildings, taking action to support and improve the quality of life and economic activity in Ghent.

It is recognised that there is a high demand in Ghent for affordable studios for artists. In order to help address this problem AG SOB will offer buildings for rent to NUCLEO vzw, which are considered unsuitable for private habitation and awaiting demolition.
AG SOB will also automatically inform NUCLEO vzw whenever such buildings become available.
As a result, NUCLEO vzw has already been offered the empty school buildings on the Rooigemlaan as studio space for a period of around 10 months.

Dirk Willaert
IT en PR Manager
AG Stadsontwikkelingsbedrijf Gent