Description
The Project's main objective is to restore and adapt the historical Municipal Garage dated 1927 and its close surroundings to the new cultural and publicly accessible functions and allow development and taking full advantage of Nowy Teatr’s artistic potential. In Warsaw, the lack of interdisciplinary cultural centres with modern infrastructure hampers experimental cultural production and cooperation with local or international partners. The centre will offer a cultural and educational program transgressing conventional theater by promoting non-commercial, experimental artistic initiatives touching on the issues of exclusion, individual vs. society, presence of the Other in culture, etc. The project targets Nowy Teatr’s staff and audience, inhabitants and tourists, in particular by providing modern cultural infrastructure which will improve conditions for theatre production, making it possible to fully experience the vast cultural offer that will help to increase the level of the recipients’ cultural competence.
Summary of project results
The Nowy Teatr International Cultural Center in Warsaw Mokotów district was built in a historic workshop hall and parts of an administrative building with the surrounding area, modernized and adapted to the needs of cultural and educational activities. In April 2016, after eight years of homelessness, Krzysztof Warlikowski’s theater company renowned in Poland and abroad, moved to their new seat. A key element of the investment was the revitalization of the 2800 square meter hall. The building’s architectural form has remained unchanged due to its historic character. Serving as MPO (city cleaning company) equipment and vehicles depot until 2012, the hall has now transformed into a multifunctional space hosting shows and performances of various scales and characters. Thanks to a constellation of ceiling hooks, conveniently distributed power supply connections and movable auditorium with about 400 seats, the stage and audience area layout can be adjusted for individual performances or other artistic activities. The venue is more like a film studio than a typical theater hall. The building houses a rehearsal room and a two-storey technical and artistic support area (dressing rooms and make-up studio) with a storage room. It also has a large foyer with a cafe/restaurant and a bookshop. The over two acre plot in the heart of old Mokotów has become a cultural agora, a place of social interaction, a public space for exchanging experiences, and a casual restring area for those traveling around the city. The openness of Nowy Teatr ICC is not just metaphorical. Almost every day, the Center hosts artistic and educational events. The 370 events of 2016 gathered an audience of over 51 thousand people. The place is open 7 days a week, 15 hours a day in the summer, offering a playroom, a bookstore, a cafe, a restaurant and the yard. The new space is frequented by the inhabitants of Mokotow and all Warsaw, as well as guests from Poland and abroad. As a result of the project, 29 new jobs were created. The hallmark of Nowy Teatr is its transdisciplinarity, presenting events related to various disciplines of art: theater, dance, performance, urban-space activities, contemporary and progressive music, visual arts and education for children, youth and adults. The investment has brought into existence a vibrant cultural institution of a diverse artistic profile and an international reach.
Summary of bilateral results