A powerful campaign for the support of culture has started today with the launch of the project  act4greece: we support the Art Theatre, which was presented today, Wednesday March 16th, 2016, at the Art Theatre venue at 14 Frinichou Street in Plaka.
 

In order to identify and present accurately the necessary repairs and renovation of the Art Theatre infrastructures, a study has been realized within the act4greece context, according to which the amount of €108,176 should be raised in order to cover its immediate and vital needs.

The Onassis Foundation, consistent supporter of culture, is contributing to this effort by donating half of this amount, i.e. €54,100, making thus the very significant first step for the renovation of the Art Theatre. The target, within the 16/3-16/6/2016 period, is to raise the remaining €54,076 by having theatre fans and culture aficionados visit the act4Greece crowdfunding platform and the dedicated webpage where they could give their donations. In parallel, all those who buy tickets for any of the Onassis Cultural Centre performances via the e-ticketing platform, will have the option to support the Art Theatre by offering a donation of their choice when booking their seats.

All the project-related aspects, like the promotional video of the Art Theatre campaign were presented today in a truly emotional event where the following participated: Ms. Μarianna Calbari – Artistic Director of the Art Theatre , Ms. Aphrodite Panagiotakou – Deputy Director of the Onassis Cultural Centre and Communications Director of the Onassis Foundation and Ms. Nelly Tzakou – General Manager of Retail Banking at the National Bank.

In her welcome speech, Ms. Μarianna Calbari, noted the historical significance of the Art Theatre but also its current needs and challenges: “We have strived without any sponsorship since 2011.  We fight without sponsorships in general, because these are very difficult times for culture and art. The act4greece initiative arrives to offer the required support.  It is here to enable us to cover essential needs for our infrastructures, like the repair of our two stages, which is impossible to cover through ticket generated revenue.  For this reason, we thank the National Bank, which initiated this project and mainly we thank the Onassis Foundation, which embraced the Art Theatre, by selecting it as the recipient of this specific project. Act4greece is an opportunity for us to realize how much culture is needed, today more than ever.  Art can help us go through the crisis.  It is the only force which can achieve this”.