VEF CULTURE PALACE — one of the most interesting cultural venues in Riga!
VEF Culture Palace is the cultural institution of Riga Municipality. It is one of the main cultural centres of the city and of the entire country offering an up-to-date environment for the discovery of cultural history, high-grade artistic expression, creative initiative and implementation of innovative ideas. In the activities of the cultural centre, the precious contribution of professionals is balanced and intertwined with the creative work and imagination of enthusiastic arts amateurs. Along with the preservation of and respect towards historical values, emphasis is placed on modern stimulating and inspiring interpretation, implementation and development of artistic processes. The Palace conduces and helps social integration, introduction of creative initiatives, diversity of the city's cultural life, involvement of young people in social activities, as well as the intensity and ongoing improvement of cultural processes. The existence of VEF Culture Palace as a cultural centre, its stability and the achievement of its goals in the field of culture are secured by funding allocated by the Municipality of Riga, project co-financing and support, supervision and control measures, as well as the revenues of the institution itself. The building was named after the State Electronic Factory (VEF - Valsts Elektrotehniska fabrika), which was one of the biggest companies in the country until the late 20th century.
Since: 1960
Staff members: 40-50
Expertise: Sustainability
Target group: They reach the community in its diversity.
Areas of work: Sociocultural activities & cultural mediation — Artistic activities — Local / regional / national projects — Event management — Running other cultural infrastructure — Dissemination of information / awareness raising activities — Cultural distribution and promotion
Fields of work: Theatre — Music — Circus art / Clowning —Dance — Opera — Amateur art — Development of alternative / non-conventional / innovative art practices — Museums, folk culture, traditions (tangible culture heritage) — Painting, drawing — Photography — Sculpture — Craftwork
Topics of work: Intergenerational relations & ageing — Children (0-12 years old) — Young people (13-30 years old) — Participation / audience engagement — Impact of cultural activities — Territorial development in urban areas — International(isation) and mobility — Sustainability — Tourism
EU/International cooperation: Culture for Cities and Regions (Creative Europe; 5 partners; led by Eurocities; topic: exchange knowledge on cultural heritage, with a focus on participatory governance, adaptive reuse and quality of interventions) — RECcORD (Creative Europe; 5 partners including the ENCC; topic: Practicing and Researching Participation in Cultural Centres) — Cities4Europe (Europe for citizens, project led by Eurocities) — ACCESS (URBACT III, 8 European cities, topic: inclusive cultural policies to open up culture to all citizens).
Priorities for the network: Participating in events and projects — Non-urban culture — Diversity & culture
