Cultural center in Argentina

From a dream to a space

For some time we have been dreaming of a cultural center in Capilla del Monte. Luckily for us, the former restaurant and event venue «Tiempos» has now been advertised as vacant and for rent.

With the cultural center we would like to offer local artists space to express the artistic diversity of Capilla del Monte and the region and enable the population to take part in cultural life and to actively participate with their own contributions and projects.

The entire inventory can be taken over from the previous tenant at a price of CHF 12,500, which is far below the actual value and represents a unique opportunity for us.

The crowdfunding should enable us to start, after that the goal is to keep the cultural center running by the three of us self-managed and cost-covering. State independence and artistic freedom are very important to us… Viva la autonomia y autogestion!

Art and culture despite the crisis

Argentina’s long-running economic crisis and high inflation are challenging everyone. In May, the annual inflation rate rose to over 100%. You cannot rely on state aid or an improvement in the economic situation. So many turn their backs on state institutions and try to keep themselves afloat on their own, form networks with like-minded people and look for alternatives in barter to escape inflation.

Capilla del Monte is a city with many people who have chosen an alternative lifestyle - also many artists. Everyone is represented, from dancers, musicians, painters and singers to theater artists and circus artists. Many live (in very modest circumstances) from their art, be it from performances or by offering courses and passing on their skills. Despite great artistic potential, there is a lack of space, many concerts and courses are offered in someone’s living room or garden, which means that a lot of things take place in summer that have to be paused in winter due to the low temperatures. This makes work more difficult and has an impact on income in the winter months. A cultural center that offers space and infrastructure all year round does not exist in Capilla del Monte. With the opening of a cultural center, we enable centrally located indoor and outdoor spaces in which everything comes together and which can be used, rented, visited and used by the population all year round. Artists and residents of the city can offer courses and events all year round and the rest of the population benefits from an increased quality of life due to a wide range and a central location of the cultural center.

Who we are and why we need you...

We are Romina, Hernan and Fio.

Romina has already founded and managed a cultural center in another city. Despite Corona and the crisis, she has always found ways to continue living culture. She is also the brand new manager of a reggae band. She is the creative doer.

Hernan has lived in Capilla del Monte for 8 years and has worked in a wide variety of areas, including organizing various music and dance events. He also knows everyone in the city from the kiosk owner to the greengrocer, music producer and postman, he is our bridge builder and communication specialist.

Fio studied sociocultural animation in Switzerland and worked in two different cultural centers in Zurich. She has been living in Capilla del Monte for three years. She brings structure, theoretical knowledge and order to the group, she is our calm planner, brings views and experiences from different cultural contexts and is a bridge between Switzerland and Argentina.

With your donation you finance:

The purchase of the complete inventory: CHF 12500.-

Three months’ rent including ancillary costs of the building before the opening: CHF 1000.-

Painting work in the house: CHF 1000.-

The new permit from the municipality: CHF 200.-

Renovation work on electricity and lighting systems: CHF 1800.-

Renovation of the wooden deck/stage area outside: CHF 500.-

Renovation work on the two guest rooms: CHF 500.-

If we exceed the goal of CHF 17,500, we will use the remaining money for the total renovation of the four neglected rooms that have been empty for years (under the wooden stage in the garden, not part of the main building), which would allow for additional space and further projects .