Description

SANTRAL ISTANBUL is a project led by Istanbul Bilgi University (BILGI), involving the conversion of the Ottoman Empire’s first power station - Silahtara_a Power Plant - into a Museum of Contemporary Arts, Museum of Energy and a cultural and educational centre. Silahtara_a Power Plant is situated at the heart of the Golden Horn, one of Istanbul’s oldest industrial quarters, and was established in 1911, functioning until 1983. The power plant is a unique industrial heritage site and one of the best preserved in Istanbul.

With SANTRAL ISTANBUL, this site of 118,000sqm will propel Istanbul into the global networks of creative arts and cultural production and play an important role in the process of becoming a European Capital of Culture. The transformation of Silahtara_a Power Plant, allocated to _stanbul Bilgi University by the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources in 2004, into SANTRAL ISTANBUL has reached its final stages with the contributions of the public and private sectors and civil society institutions, ready for the official opening in October 2006.

Former use : ELECTRIC POWER PLANT
Total surface of the site : 118,000sqm
Location : DISUSED AREA
Foundation year of the centre : 2006
Type of occupation : Lease from the Ministry of Energy for 20 years, renewable
Owner of the building : MINISTRY OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES, REPUBLIC OF TURKEY

Infrastructures / Facilities

TOTAL AREA 118,000SQM
MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ARTS 7,000SQM
LIBRARY AND DOCUMENTATION CENTRES 1,000 READERS AT ANY TIME
MULTIPURPOSE TENT 2,200SQM
RESTAURANTS AND CAFÉS TOTAL SEATING FOR 500
CINEMA 3 SCREENS
MUSEUM SHOP 350 SQM

Social and artistic disciplines

Disciplines: Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Music and Design.
Activities: Debates, residencies, workshops, exhibitions, concerts, performances, lectures, seminars, trainings, local, regional, national and international projects on education, arts and culture.
Components:
Istanbul Bilgi University Faculties (Science and Literature, Communications) and Department of Architecture.
Research Centres (NGO, Urban Studies, Cultural Industries, Youth and Design Centres)
Museum of Contemporary Art
Museum of Energy
Artists-in-Residence Programme
Library and Documentation Centres

Other structures/organisations resident on the site

Educational buildings of Istanbul Bilgi University

Financial support

Istanbul Bilgi University and private sponsors

Networks

Anna Lindh Foundation, Anadolu Kà¼ltà¼r, ENCATC, Resartis