After it was first opened in 1961, at the beginning of 1980s, the famous AKADEMIJA, Visual Arts Faculty Students’ club, the centre aimed at concentration and creative work of alternative, artistic, music and intellectual scene, acquired a significant cultural status and an important role in creation, promotion and affirmation of urban sensitivity and cosmopolitan spirit in Belgrade. The open, dynamic and uncompromisingly experimental programme concept resulted in authentic events which launched AKADEMIJA out of local setting and help it create a strong impact upon articulation of the alternative movement in a wider Yugoslav context. The Club shortly acquired significant international reputation through presentations of numerous artistic projects and frequent guest performances of foreign bands.
After a break at the end of 1990s, AKADEMIJA Club has restored its activities based on the approved programme and strategic principles from the previous period, strongly relying upon the new generation creative potential, through multimedia forms of artistic expression, interdisciplinary, experimental and educative projects, with emphasized implementation of inexhaustible possibilities of new technologies in the creative process. The whole infrastructure of the Club was reconstructed for the purpose. AKADEMIJA is entering the new phase of work as a highly integrated cyber space, equipped with all the electronic communication possibilities: internal TV system and satellite connection for reception and broadcasting Internet programmes. With the aim to inform and animate members, audience and new co-workers, AKADEMIJA has established INTERZINE on its web pages, which is an electronic media aimed at wide recognition of programme events and the Club’s identity.
The reconstructed venue and thoroughly refurbished interior, equipped with professional sound and lighting system, provide optimum possibilities for realisation of the most complex stage and music programmes, with the capacity of about 800 audience. The chamber club and the atrium with the café-gallery are an additional segment of the overall club space, intended for daytime events, exhibitions and promotional activities and special, smallsize programmes. The wholesome infrastructure of the Club, with logistic support and technical facilities of the recording studio, presents a significant production potential.
AKADEMIJA