Marres, House for Contemporary Culture, is an internationally operating “presentatie-instelling”, located at Maastricht. The institution researches new developments in contemporary visual art and presents its findings to a broad audience by means of exhibitions, research programs, and public events. It does so whilst putting emphasis on sensory development, the language of the body and immersive sceneries. Marres works together with visual artists, designers, musicians, perfumers, scientists, and chefs to create works of art and to research new artistic practices. Besides this, Marres puts a lot of time and effort in young talents.
Marres was founded in Maastricht in 1998. The house of art thanks to the brewers’ family which lived at the Capucijnenstraat 98 for most of the 20th century. In 2019, Marres celebrates its 20th anniversary.
Connected to Marres, House for Contemporary Culture, is an Afghan-Syrian restaurant named Marres Kitchen, and a lovely, public city garden which welcomes anyone.
What is a presentatie-instelling?
Presentatie-instellingen are institutions for visual art without a permanent collection of works; they are in-between artists and museums, attract a broad audience and are of significant importance for the development of artists and curators. In short, they are crucial for the infrastructure of visual art. They connect to current developments, touch upon relevant social themes, organize debates and discussions, are not afraid to experiment, double as laboratory of sorts, and make art available to anyone.
Marres receives structural support from the ministry of Education, Culture and Science, the Province of Limburg and the municipality of Maastricht.