• a friendly neighbourhood project in fringe activities
• a social and artistic project that is based on visual art.
• established on 1st January 2006 in the neighbourhoods of Moscou (Gentbrugge) and Bernadette (Sint-Amandsberg) in Ghent, it would like to continue to develop here
• its aim is to bring local residents and artists into contact with one another
• art integration that is open to all and reflects what is going on in the neighbourhood.

For 3 years now this community-oriented project has developed by way of various minor activities and encounters with visual artists in the two communities. Ideally, participants should consist of young, up-and-coming artists as well as renowned, experienced artists. Through these artistic activities the project is gradually taking shape in the neighbourhoods and the communities are giving shape to the projects. Through the accumulation of experience and our long-term presence we believe that contemporary art can acquire a place of its own in Moscou and Bernadette.
Our main aim is to enter into a dialogue with reality in the community and its inhabitants. Through organising tailor-made activities in the long term we can maintain a balance between the expectations of the community and those of the artists. We are hoping to build up a mutual trust by way of building up tangible and achievable goals that are based on the community itself. This is why there must be a close collaboration between local partners such as primary schools, playground activities, street corner activities, the senior citizens’ centre and neighbourhood-oriented activities. The visibility of the project in the communities cannot be found in an exhibition route or through permanent installations. Moscou-Bernadette does acquire significance however in the encounters between people, the activities we organise but above all in the memories and stories they generate.
Each collaborative partner is responsible for specific tasks: NUCLEO helps to develop content and organises community-oriented activities in Bernadette, the department of Arts monitors social and artistic research and creates a bridge towards the city and S.M.A.K. offers guidance in the line to be followed  by the artists in the neighbourhood. We believe that Moscou-Bernadette has a unique position in the Flemish cultural landscape and that it has initiated an essential dynamism in both neighbourhoods in Ghent.

At the end of 2005 the Gustaaf Callierschool – which is owned by the City of Ghent – was placed at the disposal of various organisations including  NUCLEO who has provided accommodation for 10 artist’s studios in it. The other users come from the social sector, the youth sector and the theatre world. The school is currently awaiting re-development.

The building is situated in the Bernadettewijk in Sint-Amandsberg. This suburb was built in the 20s in the last century in true garden-city style, a trend that blew over from England at the time; the suburb as a whole has very recognisable architectural style. At first sight the area looks quiet and neat. Here children can still play in the street and there is not a noticeably large group of immigrant families living here (below average in Ghent). Nevertheless “Bernadetje” (Little Bernadette) has a bad reputation, and is described by the police and various social services as a ‘difficult neighbourhood’.

When NUCLEO moved into the building the inhabitants initially regarded this with suspicion. There was very little communication between the users of the building and the local community. Acts of vandalism to, around and in the school took place regularly. To deal with the problem the organisations created an integrated approach. This resulted in the plan to re-develop Gustaaf Callierschool as a Cultural Community Centre. The various partners - including NUCLEO – have joined forces under the name ‘Bernadette neighbourhood team’.

• S.M.A.K.
• Dienst Kunsten van de Stad Gent
• Moscou
• Bernadette