The Urban Culture Institute (Instytut Kultury Miejskiej, IKM) creates events in the urban space, explores changes in culture, inspires action and supports the cultural sector in Gdańsk and the region. An open cultural institution working for and with the inhabitants of Gdańsk’s districts, it organises festivals, urban actions and guided walks, conducts research in its Cultural Observatory and publishes books — from its home in the Water Craft building (Kunszt Wodny) at 11 Targ Rakowy Street, a short walk from the Main Town.
About the Instytut Kultury Miejskiej
The Urban Culture Institute is an institution that has been working for years close to the inhabitants and residents of Gdańsk. It proposes events that explore the city through art, literature, social action and activities in the urban space. Its programmes — among them Streetwaves, NARRACJE and Local Guides — show the potential of many neighbourhoods and the strong local communities that actively build culture in Gdańsk.
IKM describes itself as an open cultural institution, interested in an open culture: connected to Gdańsk and its districts, accessible to the inhabitants and co-created with them. Visitors and residents can come regularly for thematic lectures, film series, chamber concerts and training sessions.
What the institute does
- Festivals — art in public space and literary festivals, including Streetwaves and NARRACJE
- Urban actions and guided walks — including the Local Guides programme, exploring Gdańsk’s neighbourhoods
- Research — the Cultural Observatory studies changes in culture and supports the cultural sector in Gdańsk and the region
- Publishing — books connected to the city and its culture
- Regular programme — thematic lectures, film series, chamber concerts and training sessions
A new home: the Water Craft building
In its headquarters in the Water Craft building (Kunszt Wodny) at 11 Targ Rakowy Street, the institute has gained a new space for development, cultural participation, meetings and the presentation of new initiatives. The building stands in the centre of Gdańsk, between the Main Town and the foot of Biskupia Górka.
Practical information
- Address: ul. Targ Rakowy 11, 80-806 Gdańsk, Poland
- Website: ikm.gda.pl — current programme, opening hours and contact details
- Note: most guided walks and many events are conducted in Polish; check the programme for individual events
Getting there
The Instytut Kultury Miejskiej is in central Gdańsk, an easy walk from the Main Town and from Gdańsk Główny railway station. GPS: 54.3505° N, 18.6447° E.
Sources
- Instytut Kultury Miejskiej — institutional description provided to Cultural Heritage Online by IKM, July 2026
- Instytut Kultury Miejskiej — official website (ikm.gda.pl)
- OpenStreetMap / Nominatim — address and coordinates, Targ Rakowy 11, Gdańsk
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