La Fabrique is an experimental arts laboratory that will be delivered in autumn 2011.

It is composed of a series of spaces designed for artists and local, national and international production, support and diffusion firms that need creative support tools to carry out their artistic projects. It is a multidisciplinary space open to all that welcomes all emerging art forms. Built on the initiative of the City of Nantes who mandated Samoa to manage the project, it is part of a community arts development strategy to help local artists network. La Fabrique des Dervalières opened in 2009, and new “Fabriques” will open in different neighbourhoods in the future.

In terms of artistic creation and diffusion, La Fabrique is a key component of the Creative Arts District that is being developed on the western tip of the Island. In this district, the grouping of higher education establishments, artists, cultural stakeholders and arts-related businesses creates a forum for sharing knowledge and expertise.

La Fabrique was designed in cooperation with local cultural stakeholders to best meet their needs in terms of production and creation. Five local associations, Olympic, Trempolino, Mire, Apo 33 and Microfaune, worked with the City to bring this project to light.

The complex is composed of two buildings:

The first, a large metal-clad building adjacent to the Warehouses, calls to mind the shipyards thanks to its post-industrial spirit. It contains:

• 2 auditoriums with 1200 and 400 seats: concerts, shows, performances, creations and rehearsals.
• 1 multimedia experimentation and creation centre.
• 1 multimedia creation-demonstration space
• 1 bar - restaurant

The second building takes advantage of the presence of a blockhouse located on the corner of the two boulevards, leaning against it and piercing its roof, then rising up six floors. It includes:

• 16 studios for rehearsal, creation and classes
• 1 recording studio
• 1 information centre
• 1 forum space (reception, lectures, debates, conferences)
• 1 experimental garden