In Samara, middle Volga branch of the national centre for contemporary arts (NCCA) was created in accordance with the Order of the Ministry of culture of the Russian Federation of the 3-rd of October 2014 № 1707.
A new branch of the NCCA will be located in the Factory building – food plant named after Maslennikov,which was built in 1930 – 1932, following the designs of prominent Moscow architect of Ekaterina Maximova. This building is a unique object of cultural heritage included in international reference books on architecture. The building,which was built with the newest technologies of the early XX century, is an example of architecture of the Soviet avant-garde.
The building is located at the intersection of the historic part of the city and residential areas. Thus, the Factory – kitchen becomes a sort of ideological “crossroads”, where converge not only past and present of cities, but also different styles and ways of life. Volga branch of the NCCA regularly conducted in Samara, Shiryaevo Biennale, gained popularity as the professionals working in the field of contemporary art and the General public, international festival of contemporary art “Street as Museum is Museum as street”, numerous exhibitions, promotions related to the artistic exploration of urban space.
In the middle Volga branch of the NCCA planned to present the works of young authors and recognized masters, collection of contemporary art by Russian and foreign institutions, conduct public lectures, film and video screenings and concerts to a wide audience, conferences and seminars for professionals. After restoration, the building will include exhibition halls, film and video screening theatre and concert halls, children’s school of contemporary art, the artists residence, music library, cafe club, book and souvenir shops. When renovating a building special attention will be given to the arrangement of the surrounding area: planned exhibitions in the summer pavilion, the creation of Park and recreation areas.
Thus, a new branch should become a multifunctional center of contemporary art, open for experiments in the field of art and culture, unique to the region of the interaction space of the audience and professional community.
