The preparations for the upcoming operation of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC) include among others monthly meetings attended by SNF and SNFCC representatives, representatives of the Greek National Opera (GNO) and the National Library of Greece (NLG) as well as representatives from the relevant ministries and the Office of the Prime Minister.
The purpose of these monthly meetings is to ensure that all involved parties are up to date and informed of the progress of the project and the transfer of the two organizations to their new premises. During a meeting held in July 2014 in the presence of the Prime Minister and the relevant Ministers, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, through its co-President, Mr. Andreas Dracopoulos, informed the NLG and the GNO of its intention to provide a grant of €5 million to each organization (NLG, GNO), over a period of two years, in order to support their transition to the SNFCC, on the grounds that they would provide the Foundation with a proposal identifying specific programming needs.
Today, the Board of Directors of the SNF officially approved the €5 million grant to the NLG, while it is also in discussions with the GNO concerning awarding a similar grant to the organization.
The grant to the NLG will cover the development of the NLG’s collection, the creation of the Library’s digital services, the development of the services, policies and collection of the Library’s Public Section, an audience development campaign and staff training. The NLG works closely with the non-profit organization Future Library during its transition.
The goal of the specific grant is to allow the NLG to efficiently prepare for its transition to the SNFCC while also setting the grounds for its future successful operation. At the same time, the NLG staff will have the opportunity to work along with experts on best practices thus enhancing their knowledge and skills.
The SNF is solely responsible for the study, design, construction and outfitting of the SNFCC. Upon the SNFCC’s completion, the Foundation will transfer the control of the center to the Greek State, which will assume its full operation and management. In addition, as the NLG and GNO are both State organizations, it remains the responsibility of the Greek State to ensure that they function and operate in a manner that allows them to fulfill their mission and uphold their responsibilities towards the public.
