A studio in the Ateliers de la danse, which was to be fitted out in the former Guimet museum in Lyon.

-

Architectural workshops Pierre Hebbelinck and Hart Berteloot AAT

A hard blow for the Maison de la danse in Lyon.

The town hall announced Friday that it was abandoning the project of the establishment's workshops which were to be set up in the premises of the old Guimet museum, abandoned for thirteen years.

A project carried by the former municipality in 2015. The reason: A cost that is too high, "multiplied by eight in five years", according to Nathalie Perrin-Gilbert, cultural assistant.

"The technical and financial risks turned out to be underestimated by the previous executive, whose budget estimates slipped from 5 to 40 million euros", explains the elected official.

This is the first major project of the former municipality abandoned by the new municipal executive.

A future room in the 8th arrondissement?

"The building permit for the Ateliers de la Danse in Guimet had still not been signed and there were conflicts between the architects" responsible for the project, she added.

“In addition to the budgetary slippage and all these obstacles, these workshops risked having a very high operating budget”.

On the other hand, "I completely share the diagnosis of Dominique Hervieu (the director of the Maison de la Danse) on the need to have a new place in Lyon dedicated to choreographic creation", underlined Ms. Perrin-Gilbert.

This is why the City will present an alternative to the Ateliers Guimet project "with the objective of achieving mid-term".

“We are considering a place located in the 8th arrondissement, not far from the Maison de la Danse, with a cost half the amount.

The proximity of the two places will allow synergies ”.

"Lyon must become a city of artistic creation"

“Lyon must become a city of artistic creation.

It involves places to live and work.

Among them, those necessary for choreographic creation must be dealt with urgently, ”insisted the deputy mayor responsible for culture.

After the sanctuary of the part of the municipal budget devoted to culture as well as the vote of an emergency fund of 4 million euros for artists, companies and theaters affected by the health crisis, “the City confirms the 'ambition of its cultural policy', assures the latter in a statement.

The City also reaffirms "its support for the Maison de la Danse, which it finances to the tune of 1,755,000 euros (grants and technical staff) and to the Biennial of Dance of which it is an important partner".

Culture

Lyon: What will the Guimet museum look like, once it has been transformed into a dance workshop?

Lyon

Lyon: The Guimet Museum converted into a place of dance creation

  • Dance

  • Museum

  • Culture