| Address: | Vondellaan 2 |
| Year Built: | 1958 |
| Status: | Not protected |
| Ownership: | private |
Cas di Cultura * 1958
Category: Oranjestad
In 1949, after recognizing a great need for a center where art and culture could be practiced, a group of local cultural associations, led by the Cultureel Centrum Aruba, joined forces to develop Aruba’s first Cultural Center. Together, the associations founded the Stichting Schouwburg Aruba (SSA): a foundation specifically aimed at building the cultural center in order to secure the development, continuation and promotion of art and culture in Aruba.
Promoter behind this project was Jan H. Beaujon (1905 – 1989). In 1949 he was co-founder and became president of Stichting Schouwburg Aruba, from 1954 till 1983 he was director of the Cultureel Centrum, among other things. He was colloquially known as “Jan Cultuur”.
To establish the historic venue, the SSA received financial support from the government of Aruba, Sticusa (a foundation aimed at promoting cultural exchange between Suriname and the now-defunct Netherlands Antilles), the Lago Oil & Transport Company and the Royal Netherlands Steamship Company, KNSM.
In 1957, the first stone was laid by the spouse of Ltd. Governor Kwartsz. The center first opened its doors on November 15, 1958 under the name Cultureel Centrum (Dutch for ‘Cultural Center’). Later, the foundation adopted its present name Cas di Cultura (Papiamento for ‘House of Culture’).
The building was designed by architect F. F. Zingel from Curaçao. He indicated the form of the painting on the facade above the main entrance, with colorful triangular forms, now regarded as a typical 1960s design.
The image has been painted over several times, replacing it – among others – by drawings as found on Indian pottery.
Nowadays, the facade is covered with huge program posters.
To this day, Cas di Cultura is still owned and managed by SSA.
The institute houses several departments, like a ballet school, fine arts courses, the Rufo Wever School of Music and the Diana Antonette Dance School.
In recent years, the foundation has broadened its mission by initiating projects that – in addition to being entertaining – are focused on cultural and artistic education.
By doing so, Cas di Cultura hopes to further engage the Aruban community, particularly the younger generation, to admire, preserve and share Aruba’s culture and the arts in general.
While struggling with maintenance problems, the management has started a fundraising action to realize their renovation project, E Braza (Papiamento for the embrace).
