30/05/2002
30/05/2002 The Alava ARTIUM Foundation and the Santa María Cathedral Foundation
are to work together to help increase their cultural and tourist appeal
and promote their projects at a national and international level. This
is one of the principal objectives of the framework agreement signed by
both institutions. The agreement aims to create a channel of communication
and co-operation which will enable the two institutions to join forces
and work together in order to disseminate and promote their respective
projects among the general public.
The Alava ARTIUM or Basque Contemporary Art Centre and Museum and the
Old Cathedral are two very different but nevertheless complementary cultural
centres. Their strategic location at the cultural heart of the Medieval
Quarter has helped place Vitoria-Gasteiz and the province of Alava as
a whole at the forefront of Culture and Tourism, on a par with some of
the most important cities in Europe.
The expectations aroused by both projects, which were more than justified
in the first few weeks following their official opening with visitor numbers
far exceeding forecasts, have helped reinforce their reputation as examples
of high-quality cultural tourism. The new museum, which houses one of
the best contemporary art collections in Spain, and the old gothic cathedral,
in which visitors are treated to a live glimpse of the archaeological
and restoration work currently being carried out, are both, in themselves,
extremely interesting and highly-acclaimed attractions.
The agreement establishes the groundwork for enabling the two institutions
to respond to the growing national and international interest with specific
proposals. A mixed commission made up of the directors of the Alava ARTIUM
Foundation and the Santa María Cathedral Foundation, Javier González
de Durana and Gonzalo Arroita (respectively) has been set up in order
to establish and define the joint projects to be carried out.
The agreement aims to create a synergic effect and take optimum advantage
of the unique and remarkable nature of the two cultural projects. Their
success in diverse areas, including the cultural, artistic, town planning,
tourist and economic fields make a joint effort even more desirable. What
is more, active visitor participation is a fundamental part of their basic
working philosophy, and a number of future projects focus on improving
and developing this trait even further.
A discount of 20% on the joint entry ticket
This is one of the first steps taken in order to try and increase the
flow of visitors between the Alava ARTIUM and the Old Cathedral. From
1 June, anyone visiting both centres can gain a substantial discount off
the entry fee by buying a joint ticket. The price of the joint ticket
is 20% lower than the sum of two individual tickets. For just 4 euros,
visitors can now gain entrance to both centres, regardless of which one
they visit first, as opposed to the 5 euros they would have to pay if
they bought individual tickets for both visits.
Those who start their visit in the Alava ARTIUM will pay 3 euros for
an ordinary ticket which gives them the right to visit Santa María
Cathedral (providing they have booked) for the special price of just 1
euro. Visitors who go first to the Old Cathedral will pay 2 euros for
their ordinary ticket, which in turn enables them to visit ARTIUM for
a further 2 euros. Joint tickets must be used within one week of each
other and visitors will need to present their first ticket at the entrance
to the second centre in order to take advantage of the special offer.
The discount does not apply to those who already enjoy special advantages
as foundation members, retired citizens or school groups.
Similarly, reciprocal economic advantages have also been established
for those involved in both cultural projects. These benefits apply to
gift items, publications and catalogues, etc., as well as a 50% discount
off entrance tickets. The aim of such initiatives is to widen the range
of services and advantages offered by both cultural centres and to foster
social ties with the respective projects and that which they represent.