In the heart of Rotterdam on the 's Gravendijkwal is a monumental school building. From 1906 to 1957 the building housed the HBS, the higher civic school. Many of the original building details are still visible in the building. The black and white tiled entrance portal, the spacious entrance hall with stone staircase, the wide corridors, the multicoloured stained glass, the high ceilings, ornamental panelling, old school windows and spacious classrooms are reminders of a special past.
Until about ten years ago, artists used part of the building as a studio. After that it was to be developed, but that turned out differently. In consultation with the municipality, SKAR, Dansateliers (which still has its home base there) and GROUNDS developed a plan to turn the former school into a new breeding ground for the performative arts. As a quartermaster at SKAR, I am building this new community together with the initiators.
The HBS building offers space to a new generation of makers in the field of performing arts, with music and dance as starting points. Creators from different backgrounds and with an open and inquisitive attitude as a common denominator, we offer a professional environment. The community focuses mainly on makers who have passed the stage of 'talent'. In Rotterdam a lot is being invested in talent development, but due to a lack of opportunities some of these makers are leaving. The HBS offers space and a stimulating atmosphere to develop yourself further, to connect, to learn from each other and to enter into new collaborations.
At the moment we are working hard to make the monumental school building suitable for use. The former dance studio of Conny Janssen Danst will become a temporary music stage for up to 100 people. There will also be two large rehearsal rooms; one for amplified and one for acoustic music. You will also be able to rent the former dance studio of Dansateliers on the 2nd floor via the online booking system SKAR SPACE. In the long term, after 2022, the plan is to realise fully-fledged music and dance stages on the ground floor of the building with supporting catering facilities.
Unfortunately, given the corona measures, it will be some time before we can meet in the HBS. But behind the scenes we are working hard on creative solutions and alternatives. More about that later! Are you a dancer, artist, musician or creative professional within the performative arts and are you looking for an inspiring workplace? Would you like to contribute to the community? Would you like to come and watch while keeping a 1.5 meter distance? Please contact us via myrte@skar-ateliers.nl. I would be happy to tell you more about it!