CZECH CULTURAL NETWORK / 2022
We connect people and organizations to make creative art and live art an organic part of everyday life. By supporting creativity and free action, we are helping to develop contemporary art and civic society in the Czech republic and abroad.
More than 30 organisations from across the Czech Republic have joined the Czech Cultural Network Nová síť. The network consists of three groups: • NETWORK PARTNERS • COOPERATION START • STAY CONNECTED
CZECH CULTURAL NETWORK NOVÁ SÍŤ
Launched in 2004, Czech Cultural Network Nová síť develops a network of partner organisations that work as established, dependable regional centres of performing arts. A special emphasis is placed on a support of new organisations and individuals who strive to cultivate culture in their communities. The project provides opportunities for networking, education, and other development regardless of whether it relates to theatre, public initiative or efforts to animate a historic site. The networking activities allow for long-term communication of the needs and interests of culture on regional level. A long-term goal is to work with the collected data and present them to public administration.
NOVÁ SÍŤ / Prague
Petr Kiška, Aneta Hladovcová, Adris Světlíková a Petr Pola
Nová síť has five main projects: • CZECH CULTURAL NETWORK NOVÁ SÍŤ • MALÁ INVENTURA – the festival of new theatre, taking place in Prague, Jičín, Jihlava, České Budějovice, Karlovy Vary, and Kuks • CULTURE GET-TOGETHER – a conference on collaboration in culture • ART-IN-RES – a programme supporting creative and management residencies • NEW BLOOD ON THE STAGE – a programme supporting young and emerging artists Nová síť also provides a year-round cultural and information service for professionals in performing arts and supports their activities by providing education, assisting with their needs in terms of space or technical equipment, or presenting reruns of their performances. It serves as a cultural advocacy organisation particularly for performing arts industry and organises public seminars. Contact: Nová síť z. s., Komunardů 885/28, 170 00 Praha 7, networking@novasit.cz, www.novasit.cz
NETWORK COORDINATOR
Nová síť is a service organisation supporting performing arts and open culture. It actively creates opportunities for collaboration between Czech regions, Prague, and with abroad; improves communication between stakeholders of cultural life and public administration; and strives for decentralization, development, and cultivation of civic society in the Czech Republic. Nová síť fills the gap between public administration, state-funded organisations, and individual stakeholders of cultural life. Since its foundation in 2004, Nová síť has been part of the community of Prague 7 City District – it is located in the heart of the meander of Vltava river in Holešovice.
CENTRUM PRO OTEVŘENOU KULTURU / Pardubice
Zdeněk Závodný
Centrum pro otevřenou kulturu (Centre for Open Culture) was established in 2018 from a multi-genre cultural and production centre Divadlo 29 and Galerie města Pardubic. It is a multi-genre cultural and artistic centre that focuses on the promotion of the contemporary non-mainstream performative and visual arts. Location: Divadlo 29 (Theatre 29) house no. 29 in the historical centre of Pardubice. Galerie města Pardubic (City Gallery Pardubice) – the granary at the little castle. Events: The programme of Divadlo 29 is based on several year-round projects (Electroconnexion, Jazzconnexion, Etnoconnexion, AniLab, exhibition programme in Galerie města Pardubic), of which common features are a clear programming concept, continuity and emphasis on artistic quality, innovation and being up-to-date. COK works closely with Pardubice non-profit cultural organisations Terra Madoda and Offcity on projects such as Filmfuse, Offcity architekti, Ostrovy v pohybu. D29 initiated and produced several cultural events and art projects located in public space or in currently non-functioning and publicly inaccessible spaces. COK annually realises the regional part of the One World and Tanec Praha festivals.
Opportunities: Divadlo 29 is suitable for the presentation of virtually all artistic genres, for the realization of creative residential stays, seminars, conferences and workshops. Contact: Centrum pro otevřenou kulturu, Svaté Anežky České 29, 530 02 Pardubice, info@divadlo29.cz, www.divadlo29.cz, www.gmpardubice.cz, www.otevrenakultura.cz
PARTNER
Facilities: Divadlo 29 – a multi-functional black box room with a capacity of 110 sitting spectators, a club scene with a café and a gallery with a capacity of 60 sitting spectators and a cellar space adapted as a laboratory for workshops. Galerie města Pardubic – exhibition space.
MOVING STATION / Pilsen
Roman Černík
PARTNER
Moving Station is a distinctive alternative scene for contemporary theatre, dance, and interdisciplinary art experiments in Pilsen. Its history began in 2000 when it organised a happening by occupying a deteriorating local railway building. Since then, Moving Station has hosted artists from around the world. After a complete renovation of the building in 2015, a space for artists residencies and development of new forms of dialogue between artists and audiences was opened. Moving Station is operated by Johan – the centre for contemporary art and education (est. 1998). Location: Moving Station is housed in an impressive, revitalised historic departure building of the former railway station Pilsen–South. Events: Moving Station’s programme centres on presentation of contemporary independent works of experimental theatre, dance, and new circus. It also presents visual art, music, and film. Since 2016 the company Johan has been producing at Moving Station its own theatre plays and organising festivals and exhibitions. In addition, Moving Station is a home to Dramacentre Johan – a platform for art and theatre education projects. Their original project is Nastevřeno, a festival of independent performing arts projects created in the regions. Facilities: Moving Station has four spaces – a large multipurpose hall (8.5 × 19 × 6(h) m) with 105 seats for spectators; stage 8.5 × 8 m (for standard layout of the hall), a conference hall – gallery for 80 people, a thematic railway coffee shop for 50 people, and a spacious Secession-style entry hall from 1904 for up to 60 people. Opportunities: Moving Station is an open creative space for preparation and presentation of original theatre, dance, visual art, and multimedia projects. It is a stagione as well as a production house, presenting contemporary works; it is a creative laboratory for new works of local and international artists. Contact: Moving Station, Koperníkova 56, 301 00 Plzeň, info@johancentrum.cz, www.johancentrum.cz
VALDŠTEJNSKÉ IMAGINÁRIUM / Jičín
Jiří Vydra
PARTNER
Valdštejnské imaginárium (Wallenstein’s Imaginarium) endeavours to revive a historical monument of Vallenstein‘s Loggia with a project called Cultural Imaginarium, focusing on live art, alternative culture, unconventional family events and site-specific projects. The unusual concept stems from the fact that the building of the Vallenstein‘s Loggia has never been completed. The fact that the Wallenstein’s project remained in many aspects an unfulfilled dream, became a great inspiration for the current team aggregated around the monument. For several years, they have been turning this impressive place into a cultural and community centre as well as an independent creative platform of the town. Location: Valdštejnská lodžie is a unique early Baroque monument near Jičín, built by Duke Albrecht von Wallenstein as a part of a composed Baroque landscape. Events: In addition to organizing concerts, performances, lectures, screenings and workshops, Valdštejnské imaginárium focuses on events of original production. It uses unique spaces and atmosphere of historical buildings and draws on the imagination of viewers. Facilities: The main area for organising the outdoor activities is a covered terrace (26 × 9 m), for smaller concerts and performances there is an octagonal room Oktogon (8 × 6,5 m) and the Café Loggie (6 × 6 m). In 2022, a new multifunctional hall, Theatron, (6 × 11.5 m) will be built in the east wing. It will include an extensible elevation. Opportunities: Valdštejnská lodžie is an inspiring place for a wide variety of artistic activities. Its distance from the city centre makes it ideal for a systematic creative work, artistic residencies, organisation of innovative projects and site-specific projects. Contact: Valdštejnské imaginárium, z. ú., Valdštejnská lodžie, 506 01 Jičín – Sedličky 4, info@valdstejnskalodzie.cz, www.valdstejnskalodzie.cz
KONTRAPUNKT / Hradec Králové
Barbora Hodonická
Location: Town of Hradec Králové and its public spaces. Events: Regions – International Theatre Festival Hradec Králové (its open air part, known until 2020 as the Open Air Program Hradec Králové) – a non-competitive festival of independent theatre companies and music productions, which will be held at 20 open stages in the historic city centre. Jazz Goes to Town – a prestigious music festival, in five October days – brings jazz in all of its forms both to the Hradec Králové concert halls and to less usual places for listening.
kontrapunkt
The main objective of cultural NGO kontrapunkt is the involvement of the population of Hradec Králové in cultural and social activities, establishing cooperation with similar organisations, support of creative people and the organisation of important cultural festivals in Hradec Králové.
Facilities: The organization does not have its own space. To organize cultural events, it rents (commercial as well as noncommercial rentals) and utilizes public spaces of the city of Hradec Králové. Opportunities: Presentation of independent companies and music productions at the international theatre festival Hradec Králové – Regions and the international jazz festival Jazz Goes to Town.
PARTNER
Contact: kontrapunkt, z. ú., třída Karla IV. 714/5, 500 02 Hradec Králové, info@kontrapunkt.cz, www.kontrapunkt.cz
S RADOSTÍ / Varnsdorf
Martin Musílek
S radostí (With Pleasure) endeavours – with unflagging enthusiasm – to revive and enrich the culture life of the town of Varnsdorf and the country around it. They do so by organising worthwhile public events such as concerts, exhibitions, theatre performances and film screenings. Location: Anywhere where With Pleasure is invited. Events: S radostí participates in a dramaturgy and organisation of several festivals, especially the Vítr z hor theatre festival and Mandava Jazz festival. The latter is organized in cooperation with German organization Hillerische Villa, thus reviving the Czech-German relations through shared musical feelings. S radostí also closely cooperates with Městské divadlo Varnsdorf (municipal theatre), which is the main organiser of the theatre festivals, jazz concerts and supports artists through residencies. Facilities: S radostí has no premises of their own and therefore combines renting, free rent and cooperation with other organisations. Opportunities: Thanks to close collaboration with Městské divadlo Varnsdorf, S radostí can offer spaces for organising artistic residencies and/or musical and theatre performances.
PARTNER
Contact: S radostí, z. s., Plzeňská 1261, 407 47 Varnsdorf, osrozkrok@volny.cz
KREDANCE / České Budějovice
Hedvika Drenčeni
Kredance is a non-profit organisation that has been active in České Budějovice since 2010. It supports and develops live art at professional and amateur levels in the South Bohemian region. It enhances the general public’s awareness of contemporary dance, movement theatre, new theatre and new circus and creates a friendly environment for meetings of performers and supporters of live art. Location: The theatre’s main place of operation is České Budějovice – its theatre as well as public space and South Bohemian region. Nevertheless, the Kredance activities are international in some of its projects. Events: Kredance brings to České Budějovice a new theatre, contemporary dance, physical theatre, and new circus. It offers residencies to artists of the mentioned disciplines and arranges for movement theatre classes and workshops for adults. Kredance operates its own dance group, Kredance Company, which produces its own physical theatre projects. It realised an international project, Performance Exchange, and has collaborated with the Theaterzeit festival in Freistadt, Austria. Every year, Kredance presents in the regions the Malá inventura festival and Tanec Praha. Kredance’s special programme Neboj a pojď! offers workshops for disadvantaged children from orphanages. It also organises community events, such as concerts, flea and farmers markets, lectures, film screenings, and a community celebration Zažít město jinak. Opportunities: Space for artistic residence, presentation of the projects at a professional level in the South Bohemian region, partnership for interesting projects. Contact: Kredance z. s., Klavíkova 1563/1, České Budějovice 370 04, drenceni@kredance.cz, www.kredance.cz Výměník1, J. Opletala 842, České Budějovice 370 05
PARTNER
Facilities: Kredance presents most of its production at the cultural centre VÝMĚNÍK1 in České Budějovice.
DIOD / Jihlava
Adam Hruška
DIOD, a cultural space in the centre of Vysočina Region, offers a technically well-equipped black box of which spatial layout and capacity can be adapted according to specific requirements. The dramaturgy of the theatre is open and suitable for organising art and social projects of regional artists. At the same time, we introduce drama and dance projects from across the country and thus expand the public awareness of contemporary art in the region. Location: DIOD – modern black box on the spot of a former cinema in the building of Jihlava Sokol by functionalist architect Bohuslav Fuchs. Events: The overall dramaturgy includes drama, movement and dance performances, as well as musical, literary, artistic and film events, creative residences, workshops, projects and festivals that connect various genres. DIOD is also a space for local culture and community events. Facilities: Black box (12,5 × 17,5 m) with no fixed stage and auditorium.
Contact: DIOD – divadlo otevřených dveří, Tyršova 12, 586 01 Jihlava; Operator: Tělocvičná jednota Sokol Jihlava, premysl.martinek@diod.cz, www.diod.cz
PARTNER
Opportunities: Within the dramaturgy of the theatre, it is possible to realise artistic and social projects of Czech and foreign artists and organisers. With a very good technical background not only for new circus is DIOD a regional centre for independent artists.
UFFO / Trutnov
Libor Kasík
UFFO is a unique modern cultural space that aims to enrich the cultural life in Trutnov and its surroundings, while strengthening the reputation of Trutnov as an open cultural metropolis. Location: UFFO – a unique multi-functional space in the town centre. UFFO has been awarded The Czech Republic Building of 2011 award as well as The Czech Republic Best Investment of 2011. Events: UFFO focuses on drama, music, alternative theatre, concerts of wide genre range, new circus and contemporary visual arts. Cirk-UFF, an international festival of new circus; Theatre Subscriptions (selection of the most interesting theatre achievements in drama, music, movement and alternative theatre); Rodinné Uffokousky (the most interesting theatrical events suitable for the whole family), Trutnovský podzim (international music Festival). Facilities: Multi-functional space UFFO, with 5 basic arrangement options (peephole, concert – seating/standing, arena room, ballroom, congress room), Národní dům Trutnov (national house), Kino Vesmír Trutnov (cinema).
Contact: Společenské centrum Trutnovska pro kulturu a volný čas, náměstí Republiky 999, 541 01 Trutnov, kasik@uffo.cz, www.uffo.cz
PARTNER
Opportunities: Because of its versatility, UFFO is open to many possibilities, specifically for co-productions and residencies, primarily in the „new“ theatre. UFFO provides these capabilities while carefully selecting its partners/companies. The list of the most successful residencies/co-productions up to date includes One Step Before the Fall by Markéta Vacovská, Lenka Dusilová and Petr Boháč and Dolls Circus La Putyka.
LUHOVANÝ VINCENT / Luhačovice
Magdaléna Petráková
Luhovaný Vincent is an association that organizes a multi-genre festival of the same name. The association strives to become a cultural platform for a spa of the 21st century. The festival aims to enrich the cultural life of Luhačovice through fresh music, film, theatre, literature, sound, and fine arts. It specialises in genre mixing and mutual enriching of multiple art types and genres. Luhovaný Vincent revitalises the spa space and enriches the tranquil spa town as it develops the idea of spa as a social-cultural phenomenon. Thanks to the festival, this cultural tradition is still fresh. The Luhovaný Vincent association has also created Zvuková mapa Luhačovic (Sound map of Luhačovice) – a digital guide that tells the story of the renowned spa town, Luhačovice, in a form of original radio plays. The project was launched in 2019. Location: The town of Luhačovice – Luhovaný Vincent presents events within the town’s spa centre, at the town’s venues and spa premises. Events: Luhovaný Vincent festival takes place for three days at the beginning of summer. Also, smaller cultural events are held. The organisers are mainly interested in performing arts and events in public space. The festival fulfills its educational goal by arranging for discussions, lectures, and presentations. Opportunities: Preparation, realisation and presentation of music, film, theatre, fine arts, literature, sound, and multimedia projects. Contact: Luhovaný Vincent, z. s., A. Slavíčka 267, Luhačovice 763 26, magdalena@luhovanyvincent.cz, www.luhovanyvincent.cz
PARTNER
Facilities: No private premises.
REZI.DANCE / Komařice
Markéta Málková a Aleš Hrdlička
REZI.DANCE is a first-of-its-kind artist residency house for performing arts in the Czech Republic. It is a sought-after space providing artists with time and peaceful environment for research work in a quiet rural area. It is also popular among cultural organizations, art festivals, and platforms or cultural managers who appreciate the quality time and space for event and project planning as much as the artists do. Location: The residency house POD JAVORY 17 is located at the foothills of Gratzen Mountains, in the village Komařice. It is a farmhouse at the village square with an enclosed courtyard, in the vicinity of woods, meadows, groves, and ponds. Events: Each year REZI.DANCE holds an open call for ARTIST-IN-REZI.DANCE (A-I-R) – REZI-DANCE’s programme that offers artists and organizations a year-round residency space in a countryside for concentrated research work.
Opportunities: REZI.DANCE’s spaces may be also used to organize movement or artistic workshops, lectures, and other community activities. A small performance could be organized as well, both within the farmhouse compound and the surrounding landscape. The residency supports projects focused on ecology, memory of landscape, and environment. Contact: REZI.DANCE v lese z. s., POD JAVORY, Komařice 17, Komařice 373 14, vlese@rezi.dance, www.rezi.dance
PARTNER
Facilities: Residency house POD JAVORY – a farmhouse – a studio 7 × 7 m (with a cushioned dance floor, wood floor, light dimmer, basic audio equipment, projector and screen), daylight or an option to block light, accommodation for 12 people, kitchen, office, common area, workshop, enclosed courtyard, garden (1,000 m2), a small lake for swimming, and sauna. SKLENĚNKA – a detached apartment is being built within the farmhouse compound to accommodate 2 people, bathroom and toilet included.
VZBUĎME VARY / Karlovy Vary
Tereza Dvořáková
VZBUĎME VARY (Let’s wake up Vary) is an association that since 2015 has been encouraging and nourishing creativity and artistic experimentation in the Karlovy Vary region. The association does not have its own space, which it considers a limitation yet it is ready to rise to the challenge. It enlivens the region with performing arts and creates space for experiencing contemporary art genres: new theatre, dance, minor music genres, and site-specific performance. It fosters a dialogue about current themes related to public space, art, and culture. It strives to incite a sensitive connection to places and their memories, and support opportunities for an open interhuman communication. Location: Karlovy Vary’s spa zone and other places in the city and the region (Ostrov, Jáchymov). Events: Multidisciplinary site-specific events in public space and in the landscape, workshops for adults, public discussions and think tanks, Esence místa (A place’s essence) – a long-term art survey. Facilities: Events are presented at various venues in the Karlovy Vary’s spa zone, at other places in public space and halls of local organisations.
Contact: VZBUĎME VARY, z. s., náměstí Emy Destinové 171/9, Karlovy Vary, 360 01, tereza@offcity.cz, www.vzbudmevary.cz
PARTNER
Opportunities: Association offers space for theatre, dance, art, literature and music project presentations as well as cooperation (co-production, hosting, facilitation) during open discussions or projects relating to the issues of arts, town, community support and cultural-social activism.
SE.S.TA / Žďár nad Sázavou
Marie Kinsky
Centre for choreographic development SE.S.TA has been interested in the development of contemporary dance and the related art genres for a long-time. Since 1999 it has been hosting activities not only for professionals but also for the general public including children. The main aim of the organisation is to support contemporary dance in joining the international sphere and starting interdisciplinary cooperation and discussion. SE.S.TA provides the artists with a wide range of projects whose common features are meetings, meetings of different disciplines with different ways of thinking and creating, with other cultures. Thanks to SE.S.TA, many choreographers on the Czech dance scene and also dancers-artists have found their places in the foreign dance groups. Location: Prague and Chateau Žďár nad Sázavou Events: Artists residencies for choreographers including couching, Dance in Gallery, KoresponDance at Work, Pedagogical Seminar, Interdisciplinary Incubator, Choreography Forum, Club for Reading of Dance, Dancing School, international festival KoresponDance, Artist Residency Programme at the Chateau Žďár, and production and co-production of performances and community projects.
Opportunities: A wide range of further development in the field of contemporary dance relating to individual projects. Contact: Centrum choreografického rozvoje SE.S.TA, z. s., Václavkova 20, 160 00 Praha 6, eva.dryjova@se-s-ta.cz, www.se-s-ta.cz
PARTNER
Facilities: SE.S.TA owns premises at Žďár Chateau where it is possible to create a space for rehearsal and theatre projects in fields such as contemporary dance. Both indoor and outdoor spaces, accommodation, and further facilities (meeting rooms, etc.) can be provided.
CO.LABS – ZÓNA NEZÁVISLÉHO UMĚNÍ / Brno
Juraj Augustín
CO.LABS is an open, independent creative platform actively securing support for and development and growth of art sector. It emphasizes engagement and quality improvement, and challenges boundaries of art disciplines and genres. CO.LABS was founded in 2021 as a response to the lack of inclusiveness within the existing theatre system in Brno. CO.LABS’s primary goal is to help and assist professional creatives in performing arts and other disciplines. CO.LABS supports students, new graduates, and established artists. CO.LABS – Zone of Independent Art is a team of creatives committed to building a dynamic and artistic environment with an open, shared space where art disciplines, genres, forms, and opinions intertwine. Location: CO.LABS is housed at a Sokol Gym in downtown Brno. Events: Throughout the year, CO.LABS organises many artist residencies for artists from various disciplines of performing arts, the Open Residency Project encouraging local creativity, workshops led by Czech and foreign lecturers, and also creates a programme for groups in residency. In addition to its own progressive and engaging dramaturgy focused on original projects from drama, physical theatre, and multidisciplinary theatre formats, CO.LABS represents a platform for independent groups and individuals without access to a space where they could present their works.
Opportunities: CO.LABS is a creative space suitable for preparation and production of performing arts projects (theatre dramas, visual art installations, exhibitions, concerts; and music, multimedia and interdisciplinary projects). Contact: CO.LABS, Kounicova 22, Brno 602 00, info@colabs.cz, www.colabs.cz
PARTNER
Facilities: CO.LABS offers five main spaces. Large Hall (stage 11 × 7.3 m, capacity of 250 spectators); Small Hall (14 × 7.8 × 4.95(h) m); Workshop Hall (12 × 4.4 × 4.35(h) m); Drama Rehearsal Room (6.8 × 6.35 × 2.8(h) m); and Coworking Social Space – a self-service café equipped with work tables and chairs, designed for work on PC, meetings, and networking.
FUJARÉ / Rožnov pod Radhoštěm
Honza Petružela
Fujaré is a creative, dramaturgy-production unit, established in 2016. Since its foundation Fujaré has been enriching life in the town of Rožnov pod Radhoštěm and surrounding areas. The association organises theatre, music, and film events, theatre trips, workshops, music festivals, lectures and debates, public space interventions, happenings, and historic and cultural surveys. Fujaré searches for, is on a lookout, and meets halfway. Fujaré is interested in the world, get interested with them. Location: The town of Rožnov pod Radhoštěm and surrounding areas. Events: A year-round series Theatre, Music, and Film Fujaré. In 2017-2021 Fujaré organised a music festival of human voice, Voices (the festival is on a creative break in 2022). Facilities: Fujaré collaborates with different venues in town, such as the hall at Brillovka and galerie 3. Etáž and the town library. It also presents outdoors and in public space. Opportunities: Fujaré enjoys co-producing and consulting on cultural, education and other projects initiated by active communities and open institutions.
PARTNER
Contact: Fujaré, z. s., Javornická 686, 756 61 Rožnov pod Radhoštěm, fujare@fujare.cz, www.fujare.cz
THEATRUM KUKS / Kuks
Kateřina Bohadlová
Theatrum Kuks organises a multidisciplinary festival of the same name that showcases Baroque and Baroque-inspired art on the background of the Kuks site. It follows in the Kuks’s tradition as a European music, theatre, and art centre with the goal to bring performing arts back to Kuks. Since 2020 Theatrum Kuks has been operating the Gallery of Marionettes featuring a unique collection of 50 marionettes by Jiří Nachlinger inspired by the sculptures of Matthias Braun. During their Summer Marionette Season, it showcases puppet performances by guest artists. It offers artists residencies and art workshops. Through its activities it encourages interdisciplinary encounters and ignites interest in exploring Baroque in contemporary art practice. Theatrum Kuks participates in the project #novebaroko. Location: Historic site Kuks and surrounding areas. Events: THEATRUM KUKS, a multidisciplinary festival of Baroque and Baroque-inspired art; an audio walk Theatrum mundi Kuks at the Gallery of Marionettes; Summer Marionette Season.
Opportunities: Theatrum Kuks offers to artists of all disciplines and genres to present their work in the festival’s programme or at the Summer Marionette Season, participate at workshops, apply for artist residency and get inspired by this site with a distinctive genius loci. Contact: Theatrum Kuks z. s, č.p. 29, 544 01 Stanovice, katerina@theatrum-kuks.cz, www.theatrum-kuks.cz
PARTNER
Facilities: Kuks – interiors and exteriors of the spa and hospital on the shore of Elbe River; Gallery of Marionettes at Comoedienhaus; Rentz Museum of Baroque Printmaking.
COOPERATION START Farmstudio / Vysoká
Physical and mental space for live art and culture located in a historic farmhouse in Vysoká na Kokořínsku. In addition to its own programme, Farmstudio provides facilities for artists residencies, symposiums, plenary sessions, and courses for artists, musicians and performers. Activities in the field of cultural heritage protection, ergotherapy and alternative lifestyle form an integral part of the project. Contact: Pavel Matela, info@farmstudio.cz, www.farmstudio.cz
Sladovna Písek, o.p.s. / Písek
Sladovna Písek (Malthouse Písek) is the largest creative gallery space for children and their adults in the Czech Republic. Sladovna’s programme is based on a concept “gallery as a play” considering a play and experience as key factors in development of every child. In a renovated 4,500 m2 space of the former malthouse, visitors are encouraged to explore five permanent and several short-term exhibitions produced as a result of interdisciplinary collaboration of artists and various institutions. Sladovna Písek also houses the Balzám Café – a coffee shop and aroma bar with live music. In addition, Sladovna organizes a city festival for families with children which enlivens the streets of the city of Písek each May, offering participation on preparation of and during the festival. The organization Sladovna Písek operates in the Czech Republic as well as in Europe. Contact: Adam Langer, adam.langer@sladovna.cz, www.sladovna.cz
FARMSTUDIO
Naplaveno association aims to support cultural activities in the Jistebnicko region. It organizes theatre performances, concerts, seminars, and brings traditions back to life. It focuses on mutual dialogue; it connects local people with city inhabitants. It offers residential space for artists. Naplaveno is located in a small village called Stružinec that offers a cottage, a barn with a theatre stage, a caravan, a workshop, and large meadows in the beautiful countryside as spaces to work, relax, and forget about city noise. Contact: Karolína Fendrychová, karolina@naplaveno.cz, www.naplaveno.cz
Městská kulturní zařízení Jeseník / Jeseník
Městská kulturní zařízení Jeseník (City Cultural Institution Jeseník) is a city-funded organisation that operates a theatre, gallery, library, cinema, and an open-air cinema. It strives to stand out from mainstream greyness. The institution seeks ways to bring to the region quality culture and art, standing for “the centre is where you make it happen,” which is also the motto of the V centru/ Im zentrum festival they collaborate on. Městská kulturní zařízení Jeseník organises events for general public as well as art festivals and an international piano competition, education programmes, and other events. Contact: informace@mkzjes.cz, www.mkzjes.cz
COOPERATION START
Naplaveno / Stružinec in the Jistebnice Highlands Nature Park
COOPERATION START Tančírna v Račím údolí / Javorník
Tančírna v Račím údolí (Dancing Hall in Crawfish Valley) is an Art Nouveau building based in the Račí údolí valley, located in the Golden Mountains area. It is a cultural institution organising concerts, openings and exhibitions, workshops, lectures, readings, theatre, artists residencies, dance classes in collaboration with Slovak dance school Dansovia, or with Swing Busters, Swing Hills, and other events. Tančírna collaborates on preparation and production of an international film festival, Blacksphere, and a site-specific Czech-German festival V centru/Im Zentrum. It connects Czech and Polish art public as well as general public. Established and renowned artists from the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Ukraine, Italy, Germany, Portugal, England, and Bosnia and Herzegovina will participate in 2022. Contact: Zdeněk Jurčík, jurcikzdenek@seznam.cz, www.tancirna.rychleby.cz
Velvareum / Velvary
Velvareum cultural and educational centre in Velvary creates educational programmes that first of all explore local cultural and artistic themes. Concurrently the centre strives to connect associations and cultural and educational organisations in the town of Velvary. Velvareum closely collaborates with the city’s management and with associations Natvrdlí and Velvarská Kostka. Contact: Kateřina Špičková, velvareum@velvary.cz, www.velvareum.wixsite.com/velvary
Zvěřinec is an association of natives from the Zlín region where it also organises community-cultural events and, in the future, it plans to create a cultural institution as a centre for meetings, personal development, educating and artistic self-realisation of local people. Contact: Jan Tomšů, spolekzverinec@gmail.com, www.zverine.cz
Městské kulturní středisko Vodňany / Vodňany
Městské kulturní středisko Vodňany (MěKS Vodňany, City Cultural Centre Vodňany) is a city-funded organisation. It is located at the city’s cultural centre in Zeyrovy sady nearby the city’s centre. It operates a classical theatre hall with a ‘peep-hole’ style stage and a 350-seat auditorium. The hall functions primary as a cinema, but it could also accommodate music and theatre performances. The building features a coffee shop, which can also function as a small stage. In addition, the backstage includes rehearsal room, a lecture room, and accommodation for 8 people. MěKS Vodňany is an umbrella organisation for several informal cultural associations, such as a puppet theatre Pimprlata, a volunteer theatre company Divadlo pod plachtou (Theatre under the canopy), and Klub vojenské historie (Club of military history). MěKS Vodňany produces or collaborates on production of traditional cultural and social events in the town, and collaborates with other organisations and institutions in the town and the surrounding areas. Contact: Michala Piskačová, reditelka@meksvodnany.cz, www.meksvodnany.cz
COOPERATION START
Spolek Zlínský Zvěřinec / Zlín
STAY CONNECTED Šárka Zahálková, member of the platform Officity and curator at GAMPA, the Pardubice City Gallery which is together with
Divadlo 29 (Theatre 29) part of the Pardubice Centre for Open Culture. She has been continually interested in the themes of art as a means to social change and art in public space.
Martina Erbsová, director of the Centre for Artistic Activities, a city-funded organisation, which supports primarily non-profes-
sional artists and creative public in Královéhradecký region. She founded and worked for a few years as a director of kontrapunkt, a cultural not-for-profit organization in Hradec Králové, a long-time member of Nová síť.
Jan Kunze, director of the Centre for Contemporary Arts EPO1, curator at art gallery UFFO, secretary at Vize tance (Vision of Dance), member of the Czech Academy of Popular Music (the Angel Awards), and editorial board member of the publishing house Perplex. Jan Kunze worked for ten years as a dramaturg at Opava Cultural Organization which was part of the Czech Cultural Network Nová síť until 2020.
The society AvantgArt has been striving since 2015 to rescue a coal and water tower, a unique technical historic building, located in the city of Vratislavice nad Nisou. AvantgArt opened the tower to the public for the first time in 2016. The society’s mission is to protect this significant monument of the Liberec Region and develop in it a cultural centre focusing on exhibitions, crafts, and arts. The AvantArt association also built an open-access workshop, Zauhlovačka (Coaling tower), with the Re-use centre where it organises classes in furniture renovation and other thematic workshops. Contact: Jitka Jakubičková, avantgart@email.cz, www.zauhlovacka.cz
MOVE / Ostrava
Move Ostrava’s objective is to support and cultivate the scene of contemporary dance, circus, and movement theatre in the city of Ostrava as well as in other regions, thus supporting decentralization of Czech dance. Their annual programme focuses on addressing general public and providing professional development for expert public and professionals. The support of development happens through artists residencies, original creative output, production, and workshops. All activities converge at the international festival Move Fest organized by Move Ostrava for the cities of Ostrava, Košice, Valašské Meziříčí. Contact: Jana Ryšlavá, jsem@moveostrava.cz, www.moveostrava.cz, www.movefest.cz
STAY CONNECTED
AvantgArt / Vratislavice nad Nisou
STAY CONNECTED X10 Kutná Hora and Kutná Hora Performing Arts Festival / Kutná Hora
Theatre X10 has been organising year-round cultural activities in Kutná Hora since 2020. Part of the project X10 Kutná Hora, the theatre explores performing arts on a regional level and in international context. It creates a space for cultural stakeholders from the entire Czech Republic to share their experiences by presenting their works. Through collaboration with local groups, it incites communities to interconnect and encourages active citizenships. Theatre X10 has continued its activities outside of Prague linked to the Kutná Hora Performing Arts Festival (KHPAF), an international festival it has managed since 2018. KHPAF is the only presentation of independent theatre and other performing arts disciplines in Central Bohemian Region. The festival functions also as a work platform for non-profit sector within European context. Both projects offer artists residencies. Contact: Radka Zahradníková – curator of X10 Kutná Hora, radka@divadlox10.cz, Ewa Zembok – curator of KHPAF, ewa@divadlox10.cz, www.divadlox10.cz/en/kutna-hora
Kulturní Plantáž Blatná / Blatná
Kulturní Plantáž (Cultural Plantation) cultivates culture in Blatná – the city of roses, produces performing arts projects both on regional and national level, and enlivens cultural public space. It also includes a museum, library, cinema, community centre, and information centre. Contact: Broňa Winklerová, winklerova@plantaz-blatna.cz, www.plantaz-blatna.cz
DIVADLOX1O
Industra STAGE is an established creative ‘factory’. It links visual arts (exhibition space, studios), performance arts and theatre, a creative hub (workshops and studios for art, design, and technical disciplines), and a fine coffee shop. It also produces and co-produces performances in drama, alternative, movement, and non-verbal theatre, and provides artists residencies for individuals and artistic groups. Contact: stage@industra.space, www.industra.space
Kulturní služby města Moravská Třebová / Moravská Třebová
Kulturní služby města Moravská Třebová (Moravská Třebová Cultural Services) is a city-funded organisation. It operates the city’s museum, chateau, cinema, and its culture. Through a quality cultural production, the organisation seeks ways to create a meaningful environment for the community – a community that thrives in it, takes on responsibility, engages, and builds relationship to the city. The goal is to cultivate and enliven the city of Moravská Třebová; to be a living, pulsating organisation capable of reacting to current events. Contact: Marie Blažková, reditel@ksmt.cz, www.ksmt.cz
STAY CONNECTED
Industra STAGE / Brno
photos: Markéta Bendová (page 2), Martin Vosáhlo (pages 4, 6, 8, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20), Lukáš Veselý (page 10), Urijáš (page 22), Ondřej Vraštil (pages 24, 26, 28, 30, 32) graphic design: Jiří Vydra | published by Nová síť z. s. 2022, Czech Republic
www.novasit.cz