Description
HISTORY
Until around 1990 - The main Printing House of Communist Party in Lithuania
Last decade of XX century - not in use
Since summer of 2000 - place of various projects of several arts NGO (Theatre and Cinema Information and Education Centre, Lithuanian Dance Information Centre, Theatre "Keistuoliai", Theatre "Uzupio teatras" etc.)
Since autumn of 2000 - lobbying activities of Lithuanian Dance Information Centre and Theatre and Cinema Information and Education Centre for assigning this complex of buildings for the contemporary performing arts
10 July 2001 - Decision of Government of Lithuania to pass these buildings to the Vilnius City Municipality with a goal to use it for the cultural needs.
3 April 2002 - Date of official establishment of new organization Arts Printing House
3 July 2002 — Decision of Vilnius City Council to remise the premises of former printing house for use to the Arts Printing House.
2 December 2002 - 10 years lease contract between Vilnius Municipality and public organization Arts Printing House signed.
OBJECTIVES
To create the first space in Lithuania easily accessible for independent, non-governmental organisations, short term project groups with a view to developing and introducing performing arts projects. The priority of this centre is implementation of new alternative pilot projects with low budget.
To develop a universal contemporary performing arts centre for practical and theoretic activities. This Centre should be used for accumulating and disseminating information on Lithuanian and foreign contemporary performing arts.
To maintain the synergy of modern arts and cultural initiatives with public processes.
To prepare educational training programs and seminars for artists and art managers.
Former use: Printing house
Total surface of the site: 3300 m2
Location: old town (the very center of the city)
Foundation year of the center: 2002
Type of occupation: 10 years free lease contract
Owner of the building: Vilnius Municipality
Infrastructures / Facilities
Architectural project pending :
250 seats black box transformable audience hall (when stage area 15.6x12 m)
Performing/Rehearsal space with the capacity of 60 seats (when stage area 8x8 m)
2 divisible rehearsal spaces of 176 m2
60 seats video/conference hall
4-5 multyfunction spaces of 70 - 95 m2
20-24 rooms office premises for center administration and companies/artists/projects in residence
InfoLab (public videolibrary, internet access for 5-6 working places)
Coffee - club for 80 seats
14-16 rooms hotel
Social and artistic disciplines
Performing arts,
contemporary music,
debates and discussions on different arts and culture issues,
accumulating and disseminating information about Lithuanian and foreign performing arts.
Other structures/organizations resident on the site
Concept :
Non-governmental performing arts organisations from Vilnius, all over the country and abroad;
Independent artists: directors (of the theatre, cinema, opera), choreographers, composers, actors, dancers, musicians;
Temporarily formed groups for implementing particular stage arts projects;
Financial support
Vilnius Municipality, private sponsorship, project based financing from different programs of Lithuanian Culture Ministry and Lithuanian Sports and Culture Fund.
Networks
Non until beginning of 2003.