Riga Art Nouveau Centre

Riga is one of the few cities in Europe where Art Nouveau architecture, art and design objects have survived in great numbers. In a European perspective Riga is an Art Nouveau metropolis. Riga Art Nouveau Centre was founded to emphasize the original and abundant Art Nouveau heritage and increase the number of tourists.

The very beginning of Riga Art Nouveau Centre can be traced back to March 7th, 2006, when Riga City Council, headed by Jānis Birks, then Mayor Deputy, passed the resolution No 919 „On creating a work group to establish and maintain a centre for Art Nouveau”.

In the beginning of year 2007 Riga City Council created the municipal agency „Riga Culture Agency “ with the aim of providing diverse and accessible culture events and targeted use of cultural heritage in the city of Riga.

Three culture institutions, strategically important within the context of Europe, are operating within the agency: cinema „Rīga“, „Riga Art Nouveau Centre“ and Riga City exhibition hall „Riga Art Space“.

The aims of Riga Art Nouveau Centre:

to study, research, popularize and preserve Art Nouveau architecture, art, design, applied arts, crafts, literature and music;
to develop tourism;
to develop an attractive and positive image of Riga;
to promote recognition of Riga.

The tasks of Riga Art Nouveau Centre:

to popularize Art Nouveau in Riga, Latvia and abroad – info materials, homepage, Art Nouveau souvenirs produced in collaboration with artists and craftspeople, lectures, workshops and conferences on various manifestations of Art Nouveau, excursions and visits to Art Nouveau objects;
to encourage and develop cooperation with Art Nouveau cities in Europe and the world, participate in international projects and cooperation networks;
to carry out scientific research of Riga Art Nouveau architecture and art, involving key specialists of Art Nouveau.