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Description
The “Gwarek” bathhouse building will mainly serve as a studio warehouse for the largest/heaviest large-size exhibits related to
the industry (including, among others, the Baildon Steelworks steam engine and the KWK “Rydułtowy” electric winding engine)
and will be open to visitors. Moreover, an office zone as well as sanitary and technical rooms are also provided for in the
building plan. The storage and presentation of the collections will be possible on the ground floor, in the basement and on two
additional storeys which will form the planned mezzanines. Due to large dimensions and significant weight of the exhibits, it is
planned to install an industrial crane in the building for transport purposes. The drillers’ workshop will serve as a building for
seasonal use of Museum’s outdoor areas.
Soft activities, i.e.
I. A cultural-educational offer with the Partner’s participation - eligible and non-eligible costs
The cultural-educational offer will encompass a number of activities to be conducted during the entire period of the project
implementation with the Project Partner’s participation, including:
-Town-Thoughts-Possibilities
-Creative Shift
-The Photo-Sound Project
-The European Heritage Days
-Industria Biennial
-Performative Store
-Industriada
-The Night of Museums
II. Training sessions - eligible costs
Training sessions within the Project framework will be conducted in the following areas and mainly by the Applicant’s employees, with participation of outsourced experts and of the Project Partner:
-Neons,
-The storage and protection of historical-collector’s objects,
-Preparation of exhibition projects,
-Postindustrial heritage management,
-The organisation and implementation of investment projects associated with renovations of post-industrial objects and areas (with the Partner’s participation).
Summary of project results
The project area is a historic unique post-industrial space that has been degrading since the late 20th century. It is necessary to complete the revitalization of the former mine site for cultural purposes, especially since the area is located in the center of Katowice, within the range of the functioning Culture Zone. Implementation of the project stems from the need to create a warehouse for the numerous largest post-industrial exhibits (there is no place to store them). An additional attraction will be to make the building available to the public as a studio warehouse. Protecting the heritage and providing access to the warehouse will contribute to the development of the Applicant''s activities through new forms of cultural activities dedicated to new audiences.
The main object of the project was to give a new function to the post-mining facilities (Gwarek bathhouse and drillers'' workshop) included in the municipal register of monuments, through the implementation of comprehensive revitalization works together with the development of the land around the buildings and the furnishing of the facilities. A hall space was created in the bathhouse building, complete with two mezzanines, where more than 30 medium and large-sized exhibits weighing a total of about 330 tons, related to industry and militaria, will be stored and displayed. In addition, an office area and sanitary and technical facilities were created in the building.
In addition to infrastructural activities, the project included the implementation of soft activities in the form of a cultural and educational offer, training related to the scope of the project, and promotional activities carried out in cooperation with the project''s partner, the Norwegian Cultural Heritage Research Institute.
As a result of the project, another 2 post-mining facilities, representing the cultural heritage of the region, were revitalized and adapted to new functions, which will expand the cultural and educational offer of the Silesian Museum for a diverse audience and enable the safe storage of museum exhibits. Thanks to the implementation of a rich cultural-educational program including more than 20 events, among which were unique concerts in industrial spaces, exhibitions telling the story of Upper Silesia''s cultural heritage, meetings, lectures and discussions, potential new recipients of the cultural offer were gained. A number of training courses related to the scope of the project were also organized, which helped improve the competencies of more than 150 trainees.
Summary of bilateral results
Cooperation with the project partner was carried out in a very professional, committed manner on both sides. A number of soft activities were organized together with the partner, including meetings, lectures, workshops and trainings related to the scope of the project.Thanks to the cooperation, the Beneficiary, as well as the participants of the events, gained knowledge about, among other things, revitalization processes in Norway from both the social and cultural side. The knowledge gained and the exchange of experience had a positive and significant impact on the implementation of the project and subsequent initiatives undertaken.Cooperation with the project partner was carried out in a very professional, committed manner on both sides. Together with the partner, a number of soft activities were organized including meetings, lectures, workshops and training related to the scope of the project.Thanks to the cooperation, the Beneficiary, as well as the participants of the events, gained knowledge about, among other things, revitalization processes in Norway from both the social and cultural side. The acquired knowledge and exchange of experience had a positive and significant impact on the implementation of the project and subsequent initiatives undertaken.