A century-old power plant in Merzifon, northern Turkey, has been transformed into a cultural hub called Motorhane, opening late last month with a concert and an exhibition of local artists. The building retains its original generator, pressure valve, and switch room, with unplastered walls and concrete floors awaiting restoration. The project is backed by the Motorhane Culture Network (MOKA), supported by Ortaklaşa—a cultural development body administered by the Istanbul Culture and Arts Foundation (İKSV)—and funded by a €3 million EU grant. Other MOKA members include the Sinop Sustainable Development Association, which runs the Sinopale biennial.
This conversion matters because it addresses Turkey's vast cultural disparities, where contemporary art and culture are underfunded outside Istanbul and often reliant on government political priorities. By repurposing a historic industrial landmark, the initiative aims to create a sustainable model for regional cultural development, building a network of local artists, civil society, and elected officials to lead programming and preservation. It seeks to stem the exodus of young people from Merzifon to larger cities by providing local access to contemporary art and culture, challenging the town's reputation for having few cultural amenities.