PAÇO DAS ARTES - SÃO PAULO CITY Paço das Artes is attached to the Secretariat for Culture of the State of São Paulo and was set up in 1970 to promote contemporary art. For over ten years, it has been holding exhibitions of a high level of excellence, producing relevant publications and executing cultural intervention programs. Its work throughout this period has been acclaimed by artists and by the community in general; so much so, that new and enhanced premises were inaugurated in 1994 with a Nelson Leirner retrospective. Paço das Artes is located within the University of São Paulo campus, right next to its main entrance. A DYNAMIC AND MULTIDISCIPLINARY VENUE: Paço das Artes is now an extremely dynamic arts venue that intertwines events on varying scales - small, medium and major - that involve many different technologies. One of its core commitments is the encouragement of new thinking on contemporary art nationally and internationally. As a multidisciplinary venue, programs include art shows, video sessions, performance art, dance, CD-ROM exhibitions, lectures, symposiums, workshops, short courses, and musical and literary events. TWO MAJOR VECTORS: The program of exhibitions follows two major vectors: one series developed by Paço das Artes curators or guest curators and a program known as Temporada de Projetos (Project Season). National and international thematics curatorships: Although the first series comprises exhibitions conceived by the institutions own curators or guest curators, it may also include special projects staged through partnerships with Brazilian and international cultural institutions. This has lead to a number of international events at Paço das Artes, such as for example, Existing Things, a group exhibition of works by New York artists (1996); a solo exhibition of works by John Coplans (1998); Present Memory: a Rochechouart Museum collection, a group exhibition of works by leading international practitioners of Conceptual Art (1999); and Raoul Hausmann and The Weimar Republic, showing pictures by German photographers (2000). In the Brazilian segment, there have been Excess (1997), Intersign Poetry, City Cannibal (1998), Art and Technology (1998), Why Duchamp? (1999), Above Good and Evil (1999-2000) and Here Between Us (2000), in addition to the Artur Barrio retrospective with opening in October 2000. The Project Time program: The other line of development is the Project Time program, which mainly attempts to provide an opportunity for younger artists from anywhere in Brazil who send portfolios for appraisal by committee assigned by Paço das Artes. Applications for the program are accepted at two-year intervals, without financial onus for artists. Each year, five exhibitions are organized to show the work of two of the artists selected. However, the Project Time program also regularly includes more established or renowned guest artists such as Carmela Gross, Marina Saleme, Leda Catunda and Tomie Ohtake. CULTURAL ACTIVITIES: Integrated activities: Paço das Artes also looks to hold cultural events related to the exhibitions, in addition to lectures, seminars and workshops to broaden and deepen the content arranged by the curators. For instance, running alongside the Intervals exhibition in 1997, there was a symposium around the 10th Documenta - the international megashow in Kassel, Germany, one of the world’s largest - attended by Documenta chief curator, Catherine David, and leading Brazilian critics. The symposium made a great impact on artistic and intellectual circles in São Paulo. The same year also saw the major project titled Contemporary Music. Paço das Artes now occupies a two-story building on a 4000 square-meter site and a parking lot for 100 vehicles is under construction. A café and a small shop will also be opened this year (2000). Next year will see the building of an auditorium designed to stage debates symposiums, different kinds of experimental projects, workshops, and contemporary music projects. Educational program: Paço das Artes counts on specialized staff to attend to the needs of educational visits from schools, universities, seniors, and other groups of visitors. Scheduled visits may be arranged by telephone. Finally, there is the non-profit Association of Friends of Paço das Artes, which is exclusively devoted to ensuring the maintenance of the institution itself, through sponsorships, donations, and assistance of different kinds provided by the members themselves. Paço das Artes “friends” receive exhibition catalogs, event programs, invitations to opening nights, participation in workshops, courses, and symposiums. Those interested in joining the Association may visit or call to arrange membership. SERVICE: Paço das Artes is the only institution of its kind that opens everyday of the week, from 1 PM to 8 PM on weekdays and 2 to 7 PM on weekends. If you would like to learn more about contemporary art, stay in touch with the Paço das Artes and its cultural program. Entrance is free!