HUSET is taking culture into the city during renovations

Copenhagen’s and Denmark’s oldest cultural center is set to undergo renovation starting this fall. While the contractors get to work, HUSET is moving its cultural program out into Copenhagen and continuing its activities at other locations in the city.

After more than half a century as a hub for creative communities, artistic experimentation, volunteerism, and cultural entrepreneurship, HUSET on Rådhusstræde in Copenhagen’s Inner City will undergo a necessary technical renovation following the summer break. The work includes electrical installations, ventilation, plumbing, windows, and fire safety systems.

Although the building will be temporarily closed, HUSET’s activities will continue. Concerts, art projects, debates, and cultural events will instead take place at various locations around Copenhagen.

“It will be a major and exciting challenge to move HUSET’s program to Indre By and other neighborhoods in Copenhagen. But the relocation also gives us the opportunity to try out new formats, explore new collaboration opportunities, and test HUSET’s cultural program in different settings,” says Hans Christian Smed, cultural director for Indre By and Christianshavn.

Ud af HUSET

During the renovation, HUSET is launching the “UD AF HUSET” initiative, which aims to bring the cultural center out into the city and foster new encounters between artists, cultural actors, and the public.

Just as it was in HUSET’s early days in 1970, the ambition remains to create space for emerging talent, niche communities, and new cultural initiatives. The renovation period will also provide an opportunity to develop new collaborations with the city’s cultural institutions and test formats in new settings.

Museums, performance venues, parks, churches, art galleries, folk high schools, and public squares are among the places where HUSET sees opportunities to present art, music, and culture in the coming years.

Keep up with the program

Preparations for the renovation are already underway. Starting in June, Salon K will be closed for rentals, and following the conclusion of the Copenhagen Jazz Festival on July 11, HUSET’s activities will go on summer break. In August, the process of packing up the building will begin, while activities and events are gradually moved to new locations around Copenhagen. Thereafter, HUSET’s cultural program will continue in a new setting leading up to the planned reopening in the renovated buildings on Rådhusstræde in 2028.

Once the renovation is complete, HUSET will return to its familiar setting on Rådhusstræde.

“While we are, so to speak, ‘out of HUSET,’ we will also use this time to consider and rethink how we can best return to HUSET once the renovation is complete,” says Hans Christian Smed, Cultural Director for Indre By and Christianshavn.

Since this is primarily a technical upgrade of the building, users will not notice any significant changes to the building’s functions or layout.

Do you have any questions about the program or the renovation?

Programming: Contact Hans Christian Smed, Cultural Director for Indre By and Christianshavn, here

Renovation: Contact Byggeri København, here

Facts about HUSET

HUSET traces its roots back to 1968, when a group of activists and artists moved into a former warehouse on Magstræde. 

In 1970, the City of Copenhagen transferred ownership of the building to its users, and since then, HUSET has evolved into one of Denmark’s most prominent cultural centers. 

Today, HUSET is built on collaboration between professional cultural actors, volunteer associations, and creative communities, who together organize activities and events year-round. 

HUSET is part of the Culture, Leisure, and Citizen Services Administration of the City of Copenhagen.

Questions and Answers About the Relocation

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Where is HUSET moving to?

HUSET will host events at venues such as Stairway (Vanløse) and Kulturhuset Indre By, as well as one-off events around the city under the name UD AF HUSET. At Stairway, HUSET will organize live music, and at Kulturhuset Indre By, HUSET will organize events that span various art forms.

Stairway, Vanløse

The concert formats you know from Musikcaféen at HUSET are moving to Stairway at Kulturstationen in Vanløse. These could include: experimental electronic music, up-and-coming indie bands, international punk musicians, dream-pop, and hip-hop concerts, often created in collaboration with the city’s emerging scene and independent organizers.

Kulturhuset Indre by, Indre By

At Kulturhuset Indre By, HUSET will present the formats you know from the rest of HUSET: literary evenings, talks, intimate concerts, poetry readings, theater, stand-up comedy, and more.

Can I still hold concerts and events at HUSET?

Yes, but not at the address Rådhusstræde 13. HUSET will be hosting events at venues such as Stairway (Vanløse) and Kulturhuset Indre By, as well as one-off events around the city.

Please feel free to contact us if you’re interested in collaborating - you can do so here: Our team | HUSET.

Read about HUSET’s criteria for partners here.

What will happen to Bastard Café, Himitsu Ramen, Teaterhuset, and Husets Biograf?

Our tenants are currently working hard to figure out where they can relocate their activities. Keep an eye on their channels to stay updated: