Palácio das Artes, a multicultural hub in Belo Horizonte

Built in a park in the central region of the capital of Minas Gerais, the complex brings together artistic and cultural spaces from different segments

Production of operas, plays, classical and popular musical concerts and dance shows. All in a space that also features rooms for film screenings, exhibitions, book launches and other cultural activities. The Palácio das Artes de Belo Horizonte, opened in 1971, is today the largest cultural complex in Minas Gerais and one of the most important in Latin America.
Currently linked to the Clóvis Salgado Foundation, the structure also contains other well-known names in the Minas Gerais culture circuit. The Grande Galeria Guignard, Cine Humberto Mauro, Sala Juvenal Dias, Teatro João Ceschiatti, Café do Palácio and the Secretariat of the Center for Artistic and Technological Training (Cefart) are located at the same address.

A project by Niemeyer
The original design of the building – the then-called Municipal Theater – was by Oscar Niemeyer. Work began in 1942, but was halted in 1945. A decade later, the project was reformulated by architect Hélio Ferreira Pinto, in 1955. In addition to the theater designed by Niemeyer, the Palace now contains an exhibition room, an engraving museum and amphitheater. Today, the Palácio das Artes occupies an area of 18,000 m² within the Américo Renné Gianetti Municipal Park.
After its inauguration in the 1970s, other spaces were created in the complex over the decades. And it was also necessary to rebuild part of the structure: in 1997, a fire hit the Grand Theater of the Palácio das Artes, requiring a redesign. After the work, the space received installations that qualified it as one of the most modern theaters in the country.

Palace provides artistic coexistence
The Palácio das Artes is also home to the Minas Gerais Symphony Orchestra, the Minas Gerais Lyric Choir and the Palácio das Artes Dance Company. It also houses Cefart, which offers basic and professional courses in music, dance and theater.

In addition to attracting visitors, it is a diverse environment that has become a kind of cultural center in the heart of Belo Horizonte, encompassing a multitude of artists and creators. Conductors, artistic directors, filmmakers, theater, dance, music and visual arts artists, curators, producers, managers, researchers and art students coexist at the Palácio das Artes.

With so many varied spaces, Palácio das Artes has a wide program, offering both paid and free events, in a frenetic calendar.
The Palácio das Artes is a 15-minute walk from Praça da Liberdade, another very important cultural hub in the capital of Minas Gerais; Find out more on the Circuito Liberdade website.

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