Study Visit in Aarhus Background Document 10-12 May 2016

Study visit in Aarhus Background Document 10-12 May 2016

The City of Aarhus

Aarhus is Denmark’s second largest city, home to 330,000 inhabit- ants, and a further 1 million people living in the Central Denmark region. Over recent years, Aarhus has reached several milestones in its efforts to become an international knowledge centre: a number of international businesses have decided to establish or expand their activities in Aarhus; and Aarhus University has been ranked among the top 100 world universities. More and more international employees, researchers and students are coming to Aarhus. Aarhus also has Denmark’s highest degree of specialisation in architecture and design. Aarhus is a growing city and is undergoing a phase of major chang- es. By 2030 Aarhus is expected to accommodate an additional 75,000 residents; 50,000 new work places; and 15-20,000 more students, compared to 2005. Large social housing areas from the 1970s are being renovated and former industrial areas are being trans- formed into central neighbourhoods. The city views this current pe- riod as a unique opportunity to change its image from a provincial city to a large city, not just in terms of size but also in terms of mentality, character and values. Cultural strategy of the European Capital of Culture in 2017 Arts and culture are an essential part of the process of changing the city’s physical infrastructure. They are seen as drivers of eco- nomic growth in terms of attracting new citizens, companies and tourists. In the strategic document “Cultural Policy 2014-2016 Vi- sion”, the arts, culture and creativity are placed at the heart of the city’s identity. Cultural policy is closely coordinated with other municipal policies, such as business development, urban development, international strategy, sports and leisure, children and youth, health, as well as libraries and citizens services. Aarhus will be European Capital of Culture (ECoC) in 2017. The theme, “RETHINK”, emerged as a result of input from more than 10,000 residents. It aims to create a “cultural laboratory” in the region where innovation and alternative solutions can develop, and to explore whether things can be done differently. Beyond its artistic project, Aarhus 2017 includes a focus on urban development, integration, business development, tourism, infrastructure and international collaboration. It will receive strong support and backing from the local and regional business community. According to a survey conducted by the consultancy group COWI, the ECoC will help create 2,200 new jobs in the private sector in the years up to and during 2017. A new Cultural Strategy for 2017-20 is underway focusing to a great part on the desired legacy of the Cultural Capital project. The new strategy builds upon quite a broad concept of culture and empha- sises how arts and culture affects all sectors in society - maybe

even sets the agenda for discussions about urban development, business development, health, social inclusion and so on. Museums and libraries The museum sector is a key political focus for Aarhus municipality. Over the past 12 years, heavy investments have been made in building and refurbishing museums. Three museums in particular have contributed to giving Aarhus a leading position as a tourist destination in Denmark: The Old Town, ARoS – Aarhus Arts Museum and Moesgaard Museum. These museums have adopted truly user-centered approaches. They present compelling stories focusing on people and concen- trate on developing new exhibition designs and story-telling for- mats. This includes initiatives for groups with special needs. This innovative approach attracts both more visitors and visitors from new target groups to the museums - and to Aarhus – and has ena- bled a new and broader societal outreach. One example is the “apartment of memory” in the Old Town museum. Furnished in the style of a 1950s apartment, it allows elderly people, and especially people with dementia, to see, hear, smell and feel the past, often leading to short moments of clarity. ARoS is also currently developing new methods to introduce contemporary art to visitors through art shows, live journalism and “meet the artists” sessions. The city administration has not allocated additional financial re- sources to these new developments but has nonetheless played a key role in supporting the development of local museums. It acted as a broker between museums and politicians and helped coordi- nate joint activities. In the cases of ARoS and Moesgaard the municipality decided to allocate extra support to the running costs and has helped the museums to lobby for additional state subsidies. Public libraries have an important role to play in Aarhus and active- ly contribute to culture-led urban regeneration in the city. They are rapidly developing into community and civic centres that em- brace far more than the traditional lending of books. An example is Urban Mediaspace Aarhus (Dokk1), the new central library that opened in June 2015. It is a hub for citizens to access municipal services and knowledge through traditional and new media. Artistic quality and the Aarhus Arts Council Aarhus has for many years prioritized artistic quality very high, and every four years a number of arts institutions are evaluated in terms of artistic quality by the local arts council whose members are all experts in different artistic fields. The latest evaluation report was published April 2016 and shows a picture of a city with a lot of high quality institutions. A quote from the introductory chapter sounds like this: Aarhus – a proud city of culture?

In recent years, Aarhus has achieved a much improved reputation as a city of culture. Not least because of major institutions such as ARoS, Moesgaard Museum, The Old Town etc., but also to a great extent because of the artistic and creative growth layer thriving throughout the city. Aarhus offers a broad array of varied cultural activities and the city comes across as a place where high quality art and culture is produced. There is good reason for being proud of our city from a cultural standpoint, and it is our hope that even more people discover the major asset that is the great variety of culture on offer in Aarhus. It is our hope that increased cultural pride will ensure that Aarhus to an even greater extent relies on local abilities and know-how, when the city hosts artistic and cultural productions in the future. Of course we should bring in the best national and international capacities to enrich cultural life in the city, but we should endeav- our to rely even more on “our own” – both those, who are capable now, but also young people, whom we would like to be capable in the future. Aarhus 2017 – European Capital of Culture It would not be wrong to claim that Aarhus in recent years has already achieved much of the impact we strived towards with Euro- pean Capital of Culture 2017. Be it increased international awareness and increased cultural self-awareness locally. So why do we need the European Capital of Culture 2017? That is a question we need to ask ourselves again and again in Aarhus, both now in 2016 as well as throughout 2017, but also in the years to come, because in this cultural awareness lies part of the value of this project. One of the answers are that we must do all we can to use ECoC 2017 as an extra boost for the city’s growing confidence. It is a unique situation that not everything requires “rethinking”, but that we can ride a wave of something that has already been created in the city in the ECoC year and beyond. Another answer must be that we – in the years following 2017 – have to ensure the increased openness and air of collaboration, currently present across cultural institutions and other operators, continues beyond the European Capital of Culture. Culture and economy It is extremely complicated to define the value of cultural investments, not least because said value is much more than just finan- cials. However, if one considers cultural investments only from a financial perspective, Aarhus is currently a good example of cultural investments paying dividends. Tourism is increasing, hotels across the city have reported increased turnover, the city is a pop- ular conference location and turnover among restaurants is ever high. All business areas that are very much influenced by the city’s cultural activities and cultural reputation. The population is also on

the rise, and part of Aarhus’ attraction is likely its cultural rich- ness. We, the Art Council, will not be holding back our encouragement that culture should be a financial priority in the future, allowing us to maintain and extend the position Aarhus is on track for as a cultural metropolis.

SITES TO VISIT

Aarhus City Hall

The decision to build a new city hall was taken during a city hall meeting in 1937. The new building was inaugurated 2 June 1941, designed by architects Arne Jacobsen and Erik Møller. The decision to build a new city hall was taken during a city hall meeting in 1937. The new building was inaugurated 2 June 1941, designed by architects Arne Jacobsen and Erik Møller. The city hall has a total area of 19,380 m² including the basement. The tower is 60 m tall and the tower clock face has a diameter of 7 m. The building is made of concrete plated with 6,000 m² of grey marble from Porsgrunn in Norway. On the outside, copper is used for many architectural details, signified by the characteristic green verdigris. The interior is more luscious in its expression with oaken parquet floors, ceramic tile floors in various patterns, specially designed wooden furniture, glass walls, wooden walls and large wall paintings and decorations. Inside, brass and bronze is used for met- al architectural details.

DOKK1

At Dokk1 you will have the chance for experience and activity as well as for tranquillity and contemplation. In the new building you will find media, a café, project rooms, halls, study cells, play- ground and much more. Dokk1 was designed by Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects and is part of the conversion of Aarhus inner harbour from industrial harbour to city space. Dokk1 should be a flexible and dynamic sanctuary for everyone in search of knowledge, inspiration, and personal development - an open and accessible learning environment supporting democracy and community. Dokk1 provides space for contemplation and knowledge. It is an at- tractive, intelligent and interactive building, which supports the desire to learn and experience.

The Old Town

The Old Town Museum is a national open air museum of urban history and culture. It allows visitors to experience what it was like to live and work in a Danish market town in the olden days. The museum is currently expanding to include new town districts portray- ing 1927, 1974 and 2014 with authentic shops and homes as well as modern exhibition halls. The Old Town was founded in 1909 as the world's first open-air museum of urban history and culture. The museum contains more than 75 houses relocated from all over Denmark and it also has several permanent exhibitions. The museum is under the patronage of the Danish Queen and it is one of Denmark’s few 3-star attractions in Guide Michelin. The museum is open all year round.

MoMu – Moesgaard Museum

Prehistory is presented to a broader audience at the new Moesgaard Museum, which opened in October 2014. Designed by Henning Larsen Architects to blend in with the surrounding environment embodying the form of a natural mound with white stone lines and a grass roof, the new museum is equally innovative inside, mixing state-of-the-art technology with fascinating backdrops and dramatized storytelling, to bring many of its ancient exhibits to life. "The ambition behind the new building and the new exhibitions is to present the history of mankind through engaging culture- historical exhibitions”, says curator and head of the new exhibitions at Moesgaard Museum, Pauline Asingh. "Cultural history is often perceived as being reserved for people with a special interest. We want to change that perception and give the audience an opportunity to encounter the people of the past as well as the present by telling stories in settings that speak to the senses and emo- tions." Set in South Aarhus surrounded by tranquil woods with sweeping views out to the sea, the museum grounds also offer a location from which to enjoy the Danish countryside.

ARoS – Aarhus Arts Museum

Aarhus Art Museum is a new main art museum in Aarhus and one of the largest museums in northern Europe. It showcases major special exhibitions and international art installations as well as its own collections of art from the 19th century to present. The building

opened in 2004 and was complemented in 2011 by a spectacular “Panorama rainbow ” installation by Studio Olafur Eliasson (275 tons of coloured glass and steel). The art museum contains four large exhibition galleries of just under 1,100 square meters and The West Gallery with its 350 square meters. Each gallery shows special exhibitions with both national and international artist such as Bill Viola, Olafur Eliasson, Wim Wenders, Paul McCarthy, Shirin Neshat and Robert Rauschenberg. Besides the special exhibitions the galleries give the opportunity to view works from the museum’s own collections featuring work dat- ed from 1770 until today including contemporary works by international artists such as Tony Oursler, Carsten Höller, Mona Hatoum, Miwa Yanagi and James Turrell. In addition international light-, video- and installation art are presented in the special exhibitions section “The 9 Rooms” in the basement. ARoS Aarhus Art Museum’s striking architecture is created by Schmidt Hammer Lassen architects. The 17,700 square metre big building is cube-shaped and is inside sliced through by a curved “museum street”, to which the public has access without admission charge. Godsbanen

Godsbanen is a centre for cultural production in Aarhus. With open workshops, studios, project rooms, theatre stages, audi- toriums, dance halls and much more, Godsbanen provides every opportunity; whether you want to stage a week long theatre festi- val, practice your dance moves or perhaps host a meeting. If you don’t have any interest in culture at all, you are also very welcome. We have an excellent and very affordable ca- fé/restaurant, which is open for everybody at all hours, and our roof has open access and provides an amazing view. The buildings used to host one of Denmark’s largest train freight yards, and the old buildings are renovated with respect for their history and are worth a visit in themselves.

Contacts in Aarhus: Ib Christensen Head of Cultural De- +45 51 57 66 10 partment, study visit coordinator [email protected]

Bo Hedetoft Consultant, Cultural +45 41 85 66 73 Department [email protected]