Cas di Cultura, Aruba national cultural center of theater and
cultural education since 1958, officially revealed its long-awaited renovation project,;E Brasa;,
during an exclusive press conference held in its auditorium. Guests and press were the first to
witness the ambitious plans to modernize and expand the island main cultural institution, while
preserving its historic facade and stage. The outgoing Minister of Finance and Culture, Mrs.
Xiomara Maduro was thanked for trusting the project and seeing the value of the plan for Aruba.
The first phase of renovation was also announced, which will concern the middle, monumental
part of the building. The event also premiered the crowdfunding video of Cas di Cultura,
primarily for the Dutch market that will circulate via the platform Voordekunst to stimulate
Arubans in the Netherlands and people passionate for Aruba to contribute to this beautiful
cause. In Aruba there will also be a 6-month fundraising period that will end in a public event in
September.
The motivation behind this renovation is deeply rooted in Aruba's cultural growth and
sustainability. The renovation will serve to stimulate the local creative industry by modernizing
the theater and the rest of the building, ensuring that it serves Aruba's actors, artists, and
cultural professionals in a more up-to-date and modern manner. The transformation will
contribute to the continued development of the creative sector on the island. Another key aspect
of the renovation is the improvement of educational programming. By strengthening
partnerships with educational institutions, Cas di Cultura aims to expand learning opportunities
and bring greater variation to Aruba's arts and culture scene and education. Additionally, the
renovation will address the outdated logistical, infrastructural and technical aspects of the
theatre, bringing improvements with sustainability in mind.
During the press conference, the timeline of renovation was shown, starting from the fundraising
campaign, to phase 1 to the reopening. Phase 1 will focus on a renovation of the monumental
section of the building which will improve the public experience and improve the technical
capacity of the facility. In 2026, phase two will begin, focusing on the rest of the building, which
will include the addition of a VIP balcony, a local gift shop with local crafts, Cas di Cultura
merchandise and show tickets, a terraced cafe in a relaxed atmosphere, an expansion of the
exhibition hall and dressing room and finally an outdoor events space. The grand reopening of
the completely transformed House of Culture is scheduled for 2028, marking the beginning of a
new era for Aruba's cultural scene.
Cas di Cultura has already secured strong partnerships and sponsors to support this ambitious
project. The Government of Aruba, the Cultuurfonds Netherlands, Water- and Energy Bedrijf
Aruba (WEB), and Aruba Hotel & Tourism Association (AHATA) have all committed to play a
role in making 'E Brasa' a reality. Aruba Investment Bank (AIB) is committed to supporting the
important part of managing the renovation funds raised in a responsible and transparent
manner. AIB has been doing this for decades with a very satisfactory track record for several
major projects in Aruba, including the JFK Center for Education located next to Cas di Cultura.
In addition to these associations, the public and local businesses are also invited to contribute.
Different streams of donations have been introduced to accommodate all budgets and
portfolios, ensuring that everyone who values Aruba's cultural heritage can play a role in this
transformation. From the smallest wallet with a donation of a few florins, up till the level of
leaving a legacy behind with larger contributions, which is ideal for the marketing aspect for
companies, brands, but also for family names who want their support to be seen, as patrons of
art, although contributions can be anonymous as well. All contributions count, because Cas di
Cultura belongs to all of us.
The total projected cost for the complete renovation is AWG 17 million and it was shown how
this budget has been put together, calculated several times and by several experts. The support
of AWG 4 million financed by the previous government serves as a foundation for the project.
Additional fundraising efforts, sponsorships and community contributions will be essential to
bring ‘E Brasa’ to completion.
This renovation is about more than just modernization. It is a commitment to preserve Aruba
cultural heritage for future generations. Cas di Cultura has been the heart of artistic expression
on the island for more than six decades, offering a platform for local talent to grow and for the
community to engage with art and their identity. By investing in this project, Aruba is ensuring a
part of its cultural heritage and its authenticity. The cultural sector can continue to prosper
because artists having a stage to showcase their talents and Aruba's artistic legacy is honored.
The restoration and expansion of this House of Culture is a critical step to strengthen the
collective power of our community which shapes our national identity. Cas di Cultura is precisely meant for Aruba's people and our people deserve a beautiful place of expression that is for them.
For more information on 'E Brasa' and how to support this initiative please visit
www.casdicultura.aw or follow Cas di Cultura on social media.
About Cas di Cultura
Established in 1958, Cas di Cultura is Aruba's national center of theater and cultural education, dedicated to promoting the performing arts, education and creative expression. As the island main stage for theatre, music, dance and community events, it provides a platform for local artists, while hosting international performances. With a mission to inspire and connect Aruba’s community through culture, Cas di Cultura continues to be a vital institution in Aruba artistic and educational landscape.
