Cable Factory / Kaapelitehdas

Cable Factory / Kaapelitehdas

Cable Factory / Kaapelitehdas occupies the premises of an old factory which initially produced telephone and electrical cables. The Cable Factory project began in 1991 and nowadays it is the largest and most diverse cultural centre in Finland. It houses 3 museums, 10 galleries, dance theatres, art schools, artists, bands and companies active in the creative industries.

Cable Factory offers five unique spaces available for rent on a short-term basis to stage concerts, exhibitions, meetings, festivals and fairs for culturally inspired people of all ages and all year round. Around 900 people work at the Cable Factory daily, and each year nearly 340 000 people attend different events.

Cable Factory is administered by the property management company Kiinteistö Oy Kaapelitalo, which is owned by the City of Helsinki. The company is responsible for renovating and renting the former industrial buildings for the needs of the arts, culture and handicrafts. Cable Factory has a double mission of preserving unique historical buildings while also serving diverse creative tenants, which has resulted in a nationally and internationally significant cultural centre.

The construction of the Dance House Helsinki on the northeastern end of the Cable Factory will renew the cultural centre in the 2020’s.

What makes the organisation unique?

Cable Factory is the largest culture centre in Finland, by its size and the number of tenants. It has operated nearly 30 years which makes it a pioneer both in Finland and in the Nordic countries. The cultural centre is owned by the City of Helsinki but it is yet independent. The income is comprised almost entirely of rents without any public subsidies.

What TEH activities is the centre a part of?

TEH Nordic Hub and Staff Exchange