Description:
The Nicosia Municipal Arts Centre is housed in a former power station building, which dates back to the second decade of the 20th century. It was originally owned by the Nicosia Electric Company Ltd., a private stock corporation. In 1947 a large part of the building was destroyed by the explosion of one of the generators. However, the building was quickly reconstructed and continued to supply electricity to the city until 1953, when the State Electricity Authority of Cyprus was established. In I988 the Electric Authority leased the old power station at a nominal rent to the Nicosia Municipality for development and use at its own discretion. They restored the building to its original state, emphasising its importance as one of the finest examples of industrial architecture in Cyprus, and adapted it with very few additions for use as a contemporary art centre. The main aim of the centre, the only one of its kind in the country, is to promote the creation of contemporary art in its most qualitative and avant-garde form. It collaborates with the Pierides Museum of Contemporary Art in Athens and organizes thematic, retrospective and other important and prestigious exhibitions from both Cyprus and abroad. It also organizes specialized seminars and cultural programs for young people and students of the newly founded University of Cyprus as part of its effort to promote cultural awareness. The Centre houses an arts library (also donated by the Pierides Museum), a small shop, and a restaurant with a garden.