Project Spotlight

Heritage Preservation and access to art and culture in the interior of Pernambuco
Associação Estação da Cultura
Arcoverde, Pernambuco
A BrazilFoundation grantee in 2004 and 2011

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What your gift makes possible
- US$ 1,130 (R$ 2,000) for maintenance of the institution’s restrooms
- US$ 1,412 (R$ 2,500) to purchase one computer for the staff
- US$ 5,649 (R$ 10,000) to produce a new play by the Mandala Theater Group

Located in the semiarid region of the state of Pernambuco, Brazil, the town of Arcoverde did not have a space for creation and performance of artistic productions, particularly theater.

In 2001, a group of young artists re-purposed an old train station that had been abandoned 20 years earlier and was being used as a place for drug abuse and prostitution, to create a center for artistic and cultural expression with theater, dance, circus, and film exhibitions to the local residents.

Raphaella Araújo was 13 years old when she went to Estação for the first time and was interested in the activities offered. She became a student and soon started assuming responsibilities at the space. At the age of 19, Rafaella, who is finishing her Bachelor’s degree in Education, became the coordinator at Estação da Cultura. She took part in the process of transformation the cultural space went through to become a thriving cultural center and the first organization to be recognized as a “Ponto de Cultura” (Culture Point)* in the country. In 10 years, Estação da Cultura has worked with over 500 youth. Many of them became social educators and leverage what they have learned in other projects and organizations. Some others remain at the Organization producing art and preserving the local heritage.

*Title of recognition awarded by the Brazilian Ministry of Culture to institutions that have made socio-cultural impacts in their communities.

To learn more aboutEstação da Cultura, please visit:http://associacaoestacaodacultura.blogspot.com/