LABoral Art and Industrial Creation Centre is an exhibition centre for the presentation of art, science, technology and the advanced visual industries. It is also a venue for artistic and technological production, research investigations and the dissemination of new forms of art and industrial creation. Laboral is therefore a space for exchange between art disciplines; a multi and interdisciplinary centre, and a dynamic environment for creators, works, researchers, teachers and audiences.

The centre depends on a non-profit foundation comprised of corporations and institutions, founded to ensure the intellectual and financial feasibility of the centre. The project was developed under the auspices of the Government of the Principality of Asturias, who promoted the refurbishment of the 14,338 square metres of functional space for the centre that required an investment in excess of Û11 million.

Asturias’ industrial tradition and the universal vocation of its people make this region the perfect location for this unique space for artistic exchange which wishes to forge an alliance of art, industry and economic growth.

The LABoral Centro de Arte y Creacion Industrial’s programme of activities aim to reflect society’s immersion in visual culture and the spectacular changes it is undergoing.

LABoral’s research considers whether we are facing a new definitions of art and the function of the artist in society, to debate how aesthetic, social and even ethical motivations differ from those of just one decade ago. In doing so, LABoral looks at the vitality of artistic creation, the incorporation of new diverse spaces and artists use of new technological tools. Linked to this is the consideration of ‘process’ and new concepts of time and multi and interdisciplinary work.

LABoral wishes to contribute to the development of innovative projects to develop programs associated with new languages, narratives and technologies that are open to possible social, artistic and industrial applications. The aim is to contribute to the development of the information society and encourage the creative use of new technological tools.

LABoral positoins itself as a key component in the strategy to bring Asturias into the Information and Innovation Society. This is considered the only means through which to improve the quality of life for citizens, develop sustainable economic wealth, and transform society into one that is more free, more cultured and better educated.

The LABoral Centro de Arte y Creacion Industrial programme works to suit new requirements of a society experiencing ongoing change, taking special interest in relationships and interactions that arise between different languages and media.

LABoral’s exhibition programme is a local, national and international reference for the investigation of innovative formats and languages that reflect the emergence of contemporary artistic production. The 5 program strands are: exhibition; education/training; research; creation-production; public programme/mediation.

LABoral presents approximately 14+ exhibitions each year.

Most outstanding projects in recent years:

Feedback, Gameworld, LAB Ciberespacios, Extensiones y Anclajes (1 &2), Playware, Homo Ludens Ludens, Banquete. Nodos y redes, Nowhere/Now Here, There is No Road, el pasado en el presente, Auto, Sueo y materia, Feedforeward. El çngel de la Historia, Process as Paradigm, Pasajes, Travels in Hyperspace

In conjunction with its exhibition program, LABoral’s public program is dedicated to the dissemination of new cultural, artistic practices and creative industries, produced principally with or through the means of technological media.

LABoral presents an extensive range of public and educational events, professional development training, learning resources and interpretation materials. These attept to stabilize deficiencies in the use of new technological media in schools, universities and vocational training, in order to stimulate the participation of the wider community and amateur enthusiasts.

Round table discussions, symposia and workshops are held in conjunction with each exhibition, favouring dialogue with the public and stimulating discussion and reflection on the relationship between society and todays technological culture.

Workshops for professionals, students, families and children, exist in parallel to exhibitions and always consider the needs of the local professional creative community. An emphasis is placed on education and the use of open code software for creative ends.

At a time when museums and cultural institutions are opting to use education and hands-on experience as a means to promote knowledge and encourage creativity and innovation, LABoral aims to explore new pedagogical methods and novel formats for learning, establishing itself as a pioneer in this field. The educational/training programme complies with the integrated goals of the centre’s various areas of activity: research, production, exhibition, education and public programming. The objective is to be in constant contact with the public in the widest sense: with local and national educational institutions, with those who carry out social services and with creative individuals, including artists, who are interested in continuing education and entering the professional community.

The CREATIC Laboratory, through scholarships for young researchers in the ICT field and making available advanced research infrastructure.

Platfform is LABoral’s multimedia workshop that produces works of artistic character and creates high quality productions in the field of visual industries.

Total internal floor area of 14,000 sq m. Gallery spaces: collection display and exhibitions 4.799 m2; media library 167,44; workshops 709,7 m2; lounge 796,3 m2.