Creative Incubator „CULTURE FACTORY“
The first creative industries incubator, “Culture Factory” (KUFA), in Klaipėda and Western Lithuania, has been widely opening its doors to creativity, work, and culture since 2014, gathering a creative community under its roof.
Homes are inspiring to create. Business plans, new performances, new teams, and start-ups gather here, along with film and technical creative educational programs. Various art festivals are also held in the spaces of the reconstructed tobacco factory, which are perfect for individual business meetings, conferences, or festivals that require a lot of thought.
KUFA Community
Culture Factory (KUFA) is a creative incubator that brings together professionals from performing arts, film, digital content, and creative industries. It is home to several theatre companies – Klaipėda Youth Theatre, Taškas Theatre, Šeiko Dance Theatre, and the Dance School CODA .
In the field of cinema, KUFA hosts a wide range of activities and initiatives that enrich the city of Klaipėda. It houses ArleKinas – the city’s only alternative cinema theatre, showcasing auteur, independent, and festival-featured films. The venue regularly hosts film premieres, Q&As with creators, film clubs, private screenings, and other events for cinema enthusiasts. In addition, the Sense Art Center invite audience to experience immersive virtual reality films. KUFA also includes the Play Life Creative Studio, who actively contribute to film production and dissemination in Klaipėda city.
In the field of digital experiences, KUFA is home to the video game development studio Matima Studio.
KUFA is not only a space for work, but also for creative growth and idea exchange. It regularly hosts business seminars, creative workshops, informal gatherings, and events that spark new collaborations and projects.
This space also serves as a launchpad for emerging talents: Klaipėda Youth Theatre organizes creative and film camps for young creators and has been running the international festival “Young Theatre Days” for over a decade.
This dynamic community is complemented by creative businesses, as well as professionals in design, architecture, and creative media. More than 100 people work here every day, and the space constantly buzzes with not only work but also creative initiatives – from seminars and workshops to meetings and events where new ideas, partnerships, and projects are born.
The following creative teams are currently working in the KUFA community:
YOUNG THEATER DAYS 2026
The international theatre festival YOUNG THEATRE DAYS, organised by KUFA resident Klaipėda Youth Theatre.
Photos: Matas Mačiulskis
From Tobacco Factory to Culture Factory
Leib Werblowsky’s tobacco factory was established in Klaipėda, then known as Memel.
The single-storey factory building was reconstructed into a four-storey building, expanding production capacity.
As the political situation changed, the L. Werblowsky factory era came to an end. The company passed into the hands of new owners.
After the war, Prisoner-of-War Camp No. 57 was established in the former factory complex.
Tobacco production resumed in the building, and the Klaipėda Tobacco Factory was re-established.
After the factory was acquired by Philip Morris, the final stage of tobacco production began in this building. In 1997, production was moved to a new factory.
The former tobacco factory became the property of Klaipėda City Municipality.
Reconstruction of the former tobacco factory began. A performance was held to mark the start of the reconstruction.
On 14 November 2014, Kultūros fabrikas officially opened its doors.
Today, creativity and culture are produced here instead of tobacco. KUFA is a space for creators, culture, business and events.