Slovak Union of Visual Arts is implementing a project supported by a grant from EEA grants and state budget of Slovak Republic:
“UMELKA – Modern Center of Art and Community (UMELKA)”
The project is focused on the development of intangible cultural heritage, the so-called Umelecka Beseda. The project will also concentrate on the development of artistic activities in the building of the Slovak Union of Visual Arts as an open non-political professional umbrella organization of associations of professional artists and theorists based on cooperation with partners from donor countries (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein). The project focuses also on the inclusion of minorities through specialized activities for the Roma, Jewish, Hungarian and LGBT communities and the use of the artistic and creative potential of young people.
The project is implemented exclusively in the so-called UMELKA building located in Bratislava’s Old Town, which is a national cultural monument registered in the central list of the cultural monuments and belongs to the city’s monuments reserve.
The aim of the project is to increase quality of cultural and artistic activities using inspiration from good international practice in close cooperation with foreign partners.
The project aims to make the building as accessible as possible for physically and visually disadvantaged people. In addition, the newly built multifunctional pavilion will be fully barrier-free and the main Gallery will be given a stair climber, which will make the unique spaces truly accessible to the entire public. Information boards will be installed so that they also meet the requirements for the sightless or those with visual impairments.
At the same time, activities for the wider community and educational activities aimed at combating extremism, radicalism and hate speech will be implemented, also with the support of the artistic community and experience from foreign partners. The UMELKA center has the ambition to enter the next century of its operation and become a modern center not only of artistic but also cultural and social life of Slovakia with significant international activities attractive for domestic and foreign visitors to the city. The use of a national cultural monument respects its historical value and original function. The activities of the Slovak Union of Visual Arts will be beneficial for the sustainable functioning of the national cultural monument, the development of quality artistic creation with a significant international impact.
Informations about project
Project code: CLT01010
Programme: Cultural Enterpreneurship, Cultural Heritage and Cultural Cooperation
Implementation period: 07/2020 – 04/2024
Grant awarded: 807 840 EUR
Donor project partner
SÍM—Samband Íslenskra Myndlistarmanna (The Assosciaton of Icelandic Visual Artists)
About EEA Grants
The EEA Grants represent the contribution of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway towards a green, competitive and inclusive Europe.
There are two overall objectives: reduction of economic and social disparities in Europe, and to strengthen bilateral relations between the donor countries and 15 EU countries in Central and Southern Europe and the Baltics.
The three donor countries cooperate closely with the EU through the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA). The donors have provided €3.3 billion through consecutive grant schemes between 1994 and 2014. For the period 2014–2021, the EEA Grants amount to €1.55 billion. The priorities for this period are:
#1 Innovation, Research, Education and Competitiveness
#2 Social Inclusion, Youth Employment and Poverty Reduction
#3 Environment, Energy, Climate Change and Low Carbon Economy
#4 Culture, Civil Society, Good Governance and Fundamental Rights
#5 Justice and Home Affairs
The EEA Grants are jointly financed by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, whose contributions are based on their GDP.
Eligibility for the Grants mirror the criteria set for the EU Cohesion Fund aimed at member countries where the Gross National Income (GNI) per inhabitant is less than 90% of the EU average.
All projects are co-financed by the State Budget of the Slovak Republic in the amount of 15%.