İzmir Culture Art Factory

Izmir Culture and Art Factory has been transformed into a modern culture and art center through faithful restoration, renovation and reconstruction works based on the original structure of the historic Alsancak Tekel Factory, built in the late 19th century.

Exterior View of İzmir Culture and Art Factory (İzmir Culture Art Factory)

With a history of approximately 140 years, this site is one of İzmir’s industrial heritage landmarks. It was reopened on 29 April 2023 after the repurposing of its previously inactive buildings.

The factory’s origins date back to the Ottoman period, when it was constructed in 1884 by Régie de Tabacs (Tobacco Regie) to operate the state tobacco monopoly. After being taken over by the state in the early years of the Republic, the factory continued its production activities until 2004 as the predecessor of TEKEL. The buildings on the site were officially registered as protected structures through decisions issued by the Conservation Board in 1979, 1985 and 2007.

Exterior View of İzmir Culture and Art Factory (İzmir Culture Art Factory)

The İzmir Culture and Art Factory is built on an area of approximately 20,000 square meters and features 9,200 square meters of landscaped space. It offers a multifaceted cultural and artistic experience through art workshops, expansive outdoor cinema and concert areas, an Art Street, dining and refreshment zones, and social spaces. These facilities cater to a broad audience ranging from children to the elderly and from artists to academics.

Museums

Izmir Culture and Art Factory Archaeology and Ethnography Museum: Located in the largest building of the factory, this two-story museum spans 7,240 square meters. Archaeological artifacts are displayed on the ground and first floors, while ethnographic items are exhibited on the second floor. The collections include artifacts made of gold, metal, marble, terracotta, stone and glass, as well as regional historical textiles and manuscripts. Thematic exhibitions such as “Power from the Sea”, “Spirit of Entertainment” and “Mind of Civilization” offer visitors the opportunity to explore the cultural and social life of the region throughout history.

Interior View of İzmir Culture and Art Factory (İzmir Culture Art Factory)

Izmir Museum of Painting and Sculpture: Originally opened in 1952 within Kültürpark, the museum operated in Konak from 1973 to 2022 and reopened in 2023 at the İzmir Culture and Art Factory. Its collection spans works from the Tanzimat period to the present day, featuring pieces by artists such as Şeker Ahmet Paşa, İbrahim Çallı, Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu and Fahrelnisa Zeid.

In sculpture, works by Kuzgun Acar and Zühtü Müridoğlu are displayed. Additionally, ceramic artworks by Füreya Koral and Bingül Başarır are also part of the museum’s collection.

Interior View of İzmir Culture and Art Factory (İzmir Culture Art Factory)

Libraries

Atatürk Special Library: This library houses books written by Atatürk himself and a wide range of sources related to his era. It serves as a key research center for scholars working on the History of the War of Independence and the Early Republican Period.

Interior View of İzmir Culture and Art Factory (İzmir Culture Art Factory)

Alsancak Public Library: It serves a broad audience through dedicated sections for children (ages 3–6 and 7–14), youth, adults, art, urban library and periodicals.

Interior View of İzmir Culture and Art Factory (İzmir Culture Art Factory)

Turkish World Music Special Library: Based on the collection of singer, musicologist and writer Ümit Yazıcı, this library features a unique archive of approximately 100,000 books, journals, musical scores and newspapers, as well as a digital audio archive containing hundreds of thousands of recordings. The library includes specialized sections such as the Emrehan Küey Books Corner, Râkım Elkutlu Turkish Music Books Corner, Dr. Ayhan Sökmen Display Section of Printed and Manuscript Works on Turkish Music, and the Ali Rıza Avni Tınaz Digital Archive of Turkish Music Recordings. This archive provides researchers access to rare audio recordings from different periods of Turkish music history.

Interior View of İzmir Culture and Art Factory (İzmir Culture Art Factory)

Social and Cultural Spaces

The complex offers visitors and residents a comfortable environment through social spaces such as the Art Street, cafés, dining and relaxation areas. Meanwhile, the landscaped areas designed for open-air cinema and concert events serve as meeting points for visitors of all ages and interests.

Exterior View of İzmir Culture and Art Factory (İzmir Culture Art Factory)

While preserving the city’s historical heritage, the İzmir Culture and Art Factory contributes to İzmir’s social and cultural life as a multifunctional center where urban life intertwines with culture, art and nature.