Alternative culture in Madrid and Barcelona
Not only does Spain have some of the world's most important museums, it also has some major alternative spaces dedicated to contemporary culture that are well worth visiting.
Old restored industrial buildings, or more modern constructions that serve as incubators for the latest artistic trends… They all feature a multitude of activities and events aimed at young artists, because participation and knowledge sharing is an essential part of the programme. If you want to stay up to date with alternative culture during your stay in Spain, just read on.
Madrid
The city of Madrid is a good example of this boom in 21st-century cultural centres, and you'll find a wide range of art initiatives on offer. Why not wander around the neighbourhoods of Lavapiés and Malasaña, the banks of the Manzanares river and even the avenue of Paseo del Prado and then tell us what you think of the suggestions below?
La Casa Encendida: Performing arts, film, exhibition and other contemporary manifestations in a social and cultural centre that also offers courses and workshops on the environment and solidarity, along with a programme entitled “Artists in Residence” for young creators.
http://www.lacasaencendida.es/
La Tabacalera: what was once the tobacco factory in Madrid, in the neighbourhood of Lavapiés, is today a collectively managed cultural centre. It serves as both a space for promoting the arts –hosting exhibitions on photography, contemporary art and visual arts–, and is also a collectively-run social centre for concerts, workshops, conferences, film forums, and a whole series of group activities.
http://www.mecd.gob.es/cultura-mecd/areas-cultura/promociondelarte/tabacalera/tabacalera-pres.html
Matadero Madrid: transformed into a genuine city of contemporary culture beside the exciting new landscaped area known as Madrid Río, this series of warehouses in the neo-Mudéjar style comprises a space for artistic practices (Abierto X Obras), a centre dedicated to reading (Casa del Lector), recording and rehearsal studios (Nave de Música), a cinema screening films in original version (Cineteca), a theatre (Naves del Español), a design area (Central del Diseño) and another area dedicated to alternative creative trends (Intermediae). Its large central square serves as a venue for concerts, exhibitions and fairs all year round.
http://www.mataderomadrid.org/
Conde Duque: Exhibition rooms, an auditorium and a theatre in almost 60,000 square metres dedicated to culture. An old barracks dating from the time of King Philip V, the Conde Duque today serves as both a repository for the official archives of the city of Madrid, and a space for contemporary cultural activities that encourage participation and artistic creation.
http://www.condeduquemadrid.es/
CentroCentro in the Cibeles Palace: a debating space on urban culture in the Madrid City Council building itself. It stores a wealth of interactive cultural information and has a comfortable reading area with a WiFi connection. It hosts close exhibitions, workshops, conferences, concerts, film seasons and much more. The Mirador Madrid viewing platform on the top floor of the building has one of the best views over the city.
http://www.centrocentro.org/centro/home
Medialab Prado: a centre for the production, research and dissemination of digital cultural projects, and a venue for interdisciplinary workshops based on collaborative learning. If you have an idea, this is a great place to give it shape.
Barcelona
Barcelona is synonymous with the avant-garde. Living in this Mediterranean city means participating in its frenetic artistic activity. Here we suggest some landmark spaces where you're sure to find the “ cultural refuge” you need when you take a break from studying.
Contemporary Culture Centre in Barcelona (CCCB): visual and performing arts, literature, philosophy, film, music and lots of space for debate and contemporary cultural research in an international context. The CCCB –built on top of an old convent in the heart of the El Raval neighbourhood– is all this and much more.
Born Cultural Centre: this old market in the El Born neighbourhood in Barcelona is now a centre in which history, collective memory and contemporary culture all come together through collective expression. Literary, theatrical and musical activities in a building dating from 1876 –an example of iron architecture– that even contains an archaeological site.
http://elborncentrecultural.barcelona.cat/
Nau Ivanow: promoting projects by young creators. This is the main aim of this creative space dedicated to the performing arts and located in the La Sagrera neighbourhood. This is a place where artists and the public meet to experiment together in its multifunctional rehearsal and exhibition spaces. There is also a viewing platform on the roof of the building which is sometimes used to screen films.
BlueProject Foundation: dedicated to contemporary artistic creation, with a space for all the latest aesthetic and intellectual debates. La Sala Project is an experimental laboratory for young artists, while Il Salotto hosts more established creators. Performance, dance, music, sculpture, painting, video and much more. This space is open to all new forms of artistic expression.
http://blueprojectfoundation.org/es/
Miscelánea: this space is committed to promoting local and international independent culture with emerging artists, and a programme focused on bringing contemporary creation to the attention of the public. It has a gallery for exhibitions, and regularly hosts events and concerts, courses, workshops and festivals on the theme of the plastic arts and audiovisual production.