Description
The Municipality of Szentes, as the project promoter would like to implement its project initiative in cooperation with its project partner Koszta József Museum Szentes. The aim of the development is the partial reconstruction of the building of the former “Petőfi Hotel and Vigadó” located in the city centre, and the sustainable use of this deteriorated and long ago under-utilised cultural heritage as the Szentes Art Nouveau House providing diverse cultural and community services. Due to the planned project, the imposing Art Nouveau building under national level protection (planned by the famous Hungarian architects Komor Marcell and Jakab Dezső) could become again the centre of the cultural, art and community life of the city and its surroundings. The corner building to be developed is located in the main square of the city, along the Kossuth Lajos street. As a result of the development, the ongoing rehabilitation of the city centre will have been completed and one of the most important buildings will have been renovated plugging it into the cultural-community life of the city. The planned project is in line with the currently offered programs of other cultural institutions of the city since it can fill the gap in missing functions, it will complete the existing services and intends to offer new cultural programs and opportunities. Target groups of the project: Population of Szentes and surroundings, especially children of school-age; local citizens, local contemporary artists, tourists. Koszta József Museum will be responsible for the professional operation of the centre supported by the maintaining municipality with an annual budget for the operation. All income realized due to the operation will be spent on the operation and further improvement of the centre.
Summary of project results
The project was implemented by the Municipality of Szentes as project promoter and its project partner Koszta József Museum in Szentendre. Among the goals set, one of the main aims was to ensure the accomplishment of cultural, artistic, and cafeteria-like multicultural functions of the Szentes Art Nouveau House. Main infrastructural functions resulted from project implementation: the lobby, literary café, chamber room, interactive gallery and concert hall. The street facades of the corner building were also renovated taking into account heritage protection considerations and regulations. The Art Nouveau House will offer local artists an opportunity to present their works of art, and provide a home to literary, musical and other events. The project improved the conditions regarding the operation of many local civil organizations, associations, friends and institutions, providing a suitable location for their operations, and also expanding the city's tourist attractions. An accessible community space was also developed, and thanks to this its accessibility by certain disadvantaged groups (primarily handicapped) significantly improved. Further parts of the building can be renewed by future investments.
Summary of bilateral results