The press briefing provided an opportunity to present the results of the ongoing project. The investment is intended not only to improve the technical condition of the ICC’s historic building, but above all to create the conditions for its further development as a modern cultural institution. Once the works are complete, the building will become more functional, accessible and welcoming – both for the residents of Kraków and for visitors to the city, as well as those attending events organised by the International Cultural Centre.

New spaces at the ICC

Media representatives met with the management of the International Cultural Centre and the project coordination team in the lobby of the ICC building and were briefed on the current status of the modernisation and refurbishment works. The most visible changes are taking place on the ground floor of the ICC building. The premises previously occupied by the Sphinx restaurant are currently being refurbished to create spaces open to the public: a café, a bookshop and an educational hall designed to host workshops, meetings and events accompanying the exhibitions presented at the ICC Gallery. A passageway connecting this part of the building to the entrance hall has already been created, and work is currently underway to open up the space towards the former cloakroom. At the same time, the front façade of the building is being cleaned and maintained.

The Director of the ICC, Agata Wąsowska-Pawlik, spoke to journalists about her vision for the use of the institution’s new spaces and the ICC’s plans regarding the refurbishment and future projects. She also recounted stories linked to the site where the new ICC space is to be located.

– The Ravens House has been home to the International Cultural Centre for over thirty years. We are committed to preserving its historic character whilst preparing it for decades of future activity. The café, bookshop and educational room currently being created on the ground floor will make the ICC a place people can visit not only for an exhibition or conference, but also for a meeting or simply to take a breather in the centre of Kraków. Thanks to support from European Funds, we are able to carry out this transformation whilst respecting the building’s historic fabric, and at the same time creating a space that fosters social interaction, education and everyday engagement with culture – noted Agata Wąsowska-Pawlik, director of the International Cultural Centre.

The next stages of the renovation and a new exhibition in the restored ICC Gallery  

The ICC director also spoke about the events being prepared for the restored ICC Gallery, the first of which will be the exhibition “Dizajnland. Design in Central Europe 1945–1989”. The exhibition is scheduled to open in spring 2027.

Dr Mariusz Soczówka from the ICC Organisation Office also outlined to media representatives the next phase of the project, which is due to begin this autumn. This will involve the replacement of the lifts and the refurbishment of the glass roof of the Panoramic Hall. All construction work is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2026.

Despite the ongoing works, the International Cultural Centre is not suspending its activities. Educational, research and publishing projects are being carried out, the postgraduate programme Heritage Academy is continuing, and some events are taking place around the city and online.

FEnIKS – European support for development that respects the environment and the needs of the public

The modernisation of the Ravens House is much more than just the renovation of a historic building. The project aims to create a space open to the public that will foster social interaction, education and participation in cultural life. In addition to the new functions on the ground floor, plans include the modernisation of the technical infrastructure of the ICC Gallery and conference rooms, the purchase of modern multimedia equipment, and the implementation of solutions to improve accessibility for people with special needs. The building will feature, amongst other things, new lifts, induction loops, signage to assist visually impaired people with navigation, and solutions to improve digital and communication accessibility.

The project “Modernisation and adaptation of the ground floor of the Ravens House and renovation of the technical infrastructure at the ICC headquarters in Kraków” is co-financed by the European Union under the European Funds for Infrastructure, Climate and Environment 2021–2027 (FEnIKS) programme. The total value of the project is PLN 13,541,096.08, of which PLN 8,744,388.51 is co-financing from the FEnIKS programme.