Expected to be another landmark theater, the BTAC will be the biggest arts center in southern Beijing. (Photo : NETEASE)
In a press conference held on Thursday, Aug. 13, it was announced that the Beijing Tianqiao Arts Center (BTAC) will open its doors to the public on Nov. 20, after four years of preparation.
Expected to be another landmark theater, the BTAC will be the biggest arts center in southern Beijing.
Through an "art plus" model, the BTAC hopes to popularize theater culture among Chinese masses. Performance art venues will be housed in the center, along with other cultural facilities that can help attract a wider and larger audience.
"We don't know whether this 'art plus' model will become a trend for domestic theaters in the future, but I do believe that theaters, by nature, are a public cultural facility that should be closely connected to people's needs," said Tian Yuan, the general manager of BTAC.
Aside from performing basic theater and cultural functions, the BTAC also aims to combine the traditional theater experience with other consumer needs.
"Traditional theaters shut audiences out when there are no shows, but the BTAC will be an open arts center that provides varied activities such as art salons and exhibitions in addition to dramas. Additionally, a huge 4,000-square-meter supporting commercial center in the area will make audiences' time here a better one," said Tian.
"This model is very mature in some countries overseas, such as the South Bank Art District in London," she added during an interview with the Global Times.
Another amenity that potential audience will surely appreciate is the free WiFi coverage in the center, which will allow up to 3,000 people to access the Internet to stay up to date on the latest shows and information.
