26. 2. 2020 / 17:00
Grand opening of the ESG library
The event takes place under the auspices of the chairman of the Košice self-governing region, Rastislav Trnka.
Place: Východoslovenská galéria, Hlavná 27
Free entrance
Thanks to the Košice self-governing region, in 2019, despite the call of Traditions Inspired by Innovations, the library of the East Slovak Gallery was completed and put into operation. The capacity of the storage space was expanded, the protection of the library collection was ensured, and furniture and lighting were purchased. Despite its limited operation, the gallery was able to enrich its library collection with new financial contributions from the history of fine arts, but also with overlaps with contemporary culture, curatorial studies and gallery pedagogy.
"Through the Terra Incognita regional grant program, we have supported dozens of projects since 2011 that contribute to the development of culture, sports, leisure activities and tourism in the Košice region. The motto of the program is Discover-Discover-Experience! and these three ingredients are combined in the project of a new library in the East Slovak Gallery in Košice. As part of the pilot call Traditions Inspire Innovations, we set aside almost 20,000 euros for its reconstruction, thanks to which the offer of this gallery has expanded again. I believe that the renovated library will be not only a decent home for thousands of books, but also a popular place for readers in our region, "said Rastislav Trnka, chairman of the Košice self-governing region.
The library has had an important place in the structure of the East Slovak Gallery since its establishment in the 1950s. The library, with its specialized art library collection, was one of the important and unique sources of scientific information for the professional and lay public of Košice and the wider area. The library fund is focused on professional literature from the theory and history of art, aesthetics, architecture, applied art, restoration, non-professional artistic expression and related social sciences.
In 2012, due to reconstruction and personnel changes, the library was moved to unsuitable premises, which led to its practical malfunction. Since 2016, the functioning of the library has been gradually renewed. In 2017, more than 12,000 library units were moved to the new library premises on Hlavná Street. Under the new name Library of the East Slovak Gallery, it was registered in the List of Libraries of the Slovak Republic under number 3460.
The interior of the ESG Library was designed by the architectural studio PLURAL, which is one of the best studios today and has been awarded several architecture prizes for its projects.
The priority is the cataloging of the collection in the library information system, which VSG purchased with the intention of making the library available to the public online. The aim is for the library to reflect the current requirements of readers and meet professional and user standards. The gallery can then focus on improving its services, completing the infrastructure, promotion and systematic acquisition.
The first year of operation of the library will be accompanied by an educational course on art, which will, in accordance with the professional focus of the library, acquaint students with the main concepts of art history.
By opening the library, the East Slovak Gallery expands its services and creates a new space for interactive knowledge sharing in the form of accompanying programs, such as readings, discussions, educational courses and other critical platforms.
At the same time, the possibility of cooperation with educational institutions, especially with secondary schools with an artistic focus, the Faculty of Arts of the Technical University, the Faculty of Arts in Prešov and Košice, is significantly expanding. The gallery thus aims to continue building the audience not only through the content dramaturgy, but also in fulfilling the potential of the building with a strategic location in the city center.
The project is implemented with the financial support of the Košice self-governing region within the Terra Incognita program.
www.web.vucke.sk www.terraincognita.sk
