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ALL ABOUT RECYCLART
THE PAST
The non-profit organization Recyclart was founded in the context of the Urban Pilot Project Recyclart. This Brussels-based project was initiated early 1996 by the Delegation for the Development of the Pentagon (Urban Development Department of the City of Brussels) in cooperation with various other services. It was submitted for approval by the City of Brussels to the project group within the European Fund for Regional Development. The primary objective of the project comprised converting the site of the station Chapelle-Kapellekerk and its surroundings, which over the years had developed into a neglected waste area, into a new lively quarter. This was based on a plan to renovate and redesign the station areas, reconstruct the public domain and develop cultural and socio-economic activities that assumed the potential and creativity of the townsfolk. The European Commission approved the project in July 1997 for a period of three years. Recyclart was founded in September 1997 by representatives of the City of Brussels. The city entrusted the coordination and part of the executive function of the urban pilot project to the new organization. Recyclart has been operating with a professional organization since the end of 1997 - start 1998 and has redesigned numerous areas within the station Chapelle-Kapellekerk.
THE PRESENT
The urban pilot project is at an end. Recyclart currently functions as an artistic laboratory, a creative centre for cultural confrontation, an actor in the municipal public arena, a training centre and a place for meeting and experiment.
A broad single entity, consisting of various parts, autonomous yet complementary. A communal dynamic with the station Chapelle-Kapellekerk as epicentre. Located on the north-south train axis between Brussels Central and Brussels South, we link the metropolitan centre with the common living quarters of the inner city. Recylart has developed into a way station with a wide range of switches and destinations.
Recyclart finds its inspiration in our capital's fascinating daily reality in a local, national and international dimension. This reality is fed by the city's varied cultures and communities. Recyclart is open to initiative and is not afraid to take the initiative itself. It devises projects and concepts that link people, various media, expressions and sectors. All with a productive end result in mind.
IDENTITY
/ Recyclart is a transitional area where people find the inspiration to take their next steps.
/ Recyclart is a locomotive for renewal and is not stuck to proven success formulas.
/ Recyclart is a generator that from a tough area in town radiates positive energy to the surrounding city.
/ Recyclart is a laboratory where the mix of various ingredients often leads to fascinating reactions.
/ Recyclart is an amplifier where people of differing wavelengths get together.
Our aim is to show what is happening at the base in an efficient, targeted and systematic manner. These elements are all intrinsically bound in a wide range of activities that are organized on the basis of or in a polyvalent infrastructure.
A MULTIFUNCTIONAL STATION BUILDING AND PUBLIC ARENA
The station rooms have been converted into a unified whole of multifunctional areas that house a wide range of art forms and festivities, a café-restaurant, technical and artistic studios and a secretariat. The railway bridges function as an urban open-air gallery. The station square is home to both loungers and skateboarders, a summer café terrace and open-air events.
PROGRAM
Recyclart offers activities that challenge traditional limits and cut across the standard box mentality. Every day, we seek a balance between the artistic, social and urban.
- Artistic programming
We offer a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities. Flexible, probing, open, up-to-date and inquisitive? Disciplines and the public often find themselves in a refreshing confrontation. One-off projects alternate with long-term processes. - Urban reflection and art in the public arena
The station is both an area for reflection on the urban phenomenon and a hub for generating artistic intervention in the public arena. These offer new impulses in a social perspective for particular areas in the city. Witnesses to Brussels on the move. - Training and employment
By means of our posting system, we offer daily training and employment programs for long-term lowly educated unemployed. This is achieved through three technical teams ('renovation', 'woodwork', 'metal work') and a catering team.
MANAGEMENT
Every day, a solid structure of highly motivated employees and an independent management organization work to ensure efficient policy, solid social grounding and optimal internal and external communication.
STATION
Since its reconversion in 1997, station 'Bruxelles-Chapelle' hosted some of the most diverse events, ranging from concerts over parties to exhibitions and debates. Concrete, stone and recycled railway-elements are the main reason why the underground-character appeals to the imagination of so many different people. On top of that the building is situated in the centre of Brussels, a short walk from the 'Grand Place', 'Sablon' or 'Marolles' with large parking facilities nearby the station.
For the moment the building disposes of all basic conveniences like heating, sanitary fittings, furniture, lighting, sound and a bar and restaurant. The venue has a capacity of approximately 450 persons.