Plzeňský kraj will apply for a state subsidy for the construction of a gallery costing a billion crowns

Plzeň – The Plzeň Region will apply for a state subsidy for the long-planned construction of the West Bohemian Gallery building in Plzeň. The region, which establishes the gallery, has reserved a plot of land from the city in close proximity to the square, and a project emerged from an architectural competition. The region will now apply for a state subsidy, which could reach up to 15 percent of the approximately one billion price of the construction. The councilors approved the submission of the request today. The region hopes that next year, the opportunity to apply for EU funding will also open up, allowing them to proceed with the long-delayed construction, said today ČTK cultural and heritage councilor Marek Ženíšek.

The state subsidy will be announced in the coming days. According to the latest updated budget, the construction of the gallery is estimated to cost one billion crowns. "However, the budget is from April, and since then, prices of steel, concrete, and the like have risen by up to 30 percent," Ženíšek pointed out. Costs are likely to be even higher, but it is unclear whether the prices of building materials will remain so high for long or if they will decrease again. "This is a kind of first step toward realizing this ten-year project. Of course, we are aware that 15 percent, or about 150 to 200 million, is not enough," the councilor stated.

According to him, the parties in the regional coalition have an internal political agreement that the gallery will be built if at least 40 percent of the construction costs can be secured outside the region's budget. Next year, EU subsidies may also be available, which could also be used for the construction of the gallery. "We estimate that from that, the region could then obtain at least another 150 million crowns, hopefully more. And then we would have met the condition, and the main contractor could be selected," the councilor stated.

The technical preparation of the project is at a very advanced stage, property rights issues have been completely resolved, it has a building permit, and work is ongoing on the final form of the project documentation for the commencement of the tender procedure. Construction is planned between 2022 and 2025.

The West Bohemian Gallery manages very valuable collections of art from antiquity to contemporary works, with dominant collections from the 19th and 20th centuries encompassing around 10,000 items. Their estimated value exceeds one billion crowns. However, the current premises do not allow for a permanent and dignified presentation of valuable artworks. The new modern building will have five above-ground and two underground floors, with a floor area of about 7,500 square meters, and will include space for a permanent exhibition, exhibition spaces, storage, administrative spaces, an audiovisual hall, a library, an art studio, a publication shop, and a café. There will be 40 parking spaces in the basement and ground floor.