“When you go to an art gallery you are simply a tourist looking at the trophy cabinet of a few millionaires.”

Alright Banksy. He’s clearly never been to Minsk…

Eastern Europe is no frills when it comes to art (and everything really). From converted printing houses to abandoned schools - every building has the potential to be an art space.

1. Art in a School

Kaņepes Kultūras Centre
Riga, Latvia

"Kaņepes" is the Latvian for weed. Just saying.

It’s also the name of the lad that converted this crumbling music school into an art-churning culture hub.

You'll find paint splattered workshops and sandal-wearing bongo players in wooden shacks. The summer courtyard’s now open and showing exhibitions, aaand there's also an arthouse cinema attached (course there is).

2. Art in a factory

CECH exhibition space
Minsk, Belarus

Sorry giant metal-work plant but you’ve been converted into Minsk’s leading culture and art hub.

Soviet leaders will turn in their graves. Good.

CECH hosts key events (like the World Press Photo exhib) and installations from local artists. The latest was a light project, where images were projected across the factory walls (see above).

3. Art in a swimming pool

Kunsthalle Art Hall
Kosice, Slovakia

‘It’s a miracle… SHE LIVES!’

This used to be a classy art deco bathing house but it got destroyed by the river Hornad and was out of use for years.

Thanks to ECOC 2013 (who knew) the pool’s been converted into a Slovak art hub. You’ll see giant visual works like the upcoming ‘Methodological Dreams’ by Jiří Černický - think overhanging wires and colourful tubes. And there’s a real life working swimming pool outside.