Stasys Museum Will Celebrate Its Birthday Over Three Days: Art, Education, and Breakdance Culture Will Come Together

Contemporary art, architecture, discussions about the city’s future, and a breakdance performance at the museum – this is how Stasys Museum, located in Panevėžys, will celebrate its second anniversary this year. From May 29–31, the open-door event series “UžmESk akį” invites visitors not only to explore the museum free of charge, but also to take part in a three-day program – from exhibition tours to the dance performance “Vienudu” and discussions about how Panevėžys itself is changing.

EU investments laid the foundation for a new-generation museum

The establishment of Stasys Museum was made possible by investments from the European Union (EU). Former cinema center “Garsas” was reconstructed using funds from the European Regional Development Fund and adapted for the activities of a contemporary museum. Approximately €3 million in EU investments were allocated to the project, an additional €5 million came from the state investment program, while the remaining share was financed by municipal budget funds.

The museum now includes exhibition halls, educational and conference spaces, art storage facilities, community activity zones, and visitor-friendly areas. However, according to Vaida Andrijauskaitė, the director of the museum, the most important transformation did not happen in the building itself.

“EU investments made it possible to create not only a new building, but also a new type of museum experience. Today, visitors come here not only to look at art, but also to discover it through different formats, sensations, and activities,” she says.

According to V. Andrijauskaitė, the region has gained something that simply did not exist here before – international-level contemporary art exhibitions, interdisciplinary projects, performances, educational programs, and constantly evolving content.

“Visitors can not only observe, but also participate – in educational activities, creative workshops, discussions, and meetings with artists. Accessibility is another very important change. The museum is being created in a way that allows every visitor, regardless of age or experience, to find their own way to engage with art,” she adds.

Changing not only the cultural map, but Panevėžys itself

According to V. Andrijauskaitė, projects such as Stasys Museum mean far more to the city than simply a new cultural venue.

“This is a structural transformation that is changing the cultural and economic trajectory of the entire region. The museum acts as a hub for cultural tourism – it places Panevėžys on the broader European cultural map and becomes a reason for both local and international audiences to visit,” she says.

According to the director, this is already visible through growing public interest, broader media attention, and new collaborations.

“A clearer direction is emerging – Panevėžys as a city of contemporary art and creative industries. The museum is becoming a symbol that attracts not only visitors, but also creators, partners, and initiatives,” says V. Andrijauskaitė.

She adds that the local community’s relationship with culture is also changing – engagement is growing, audiences are expanding, and new cultural consumption habits are forming.

“This is a long-term investment in the city – not only economically, but also intellectually and socially,” she says.

From the works of Stasys Eidrigevičius to discussions about urban transformation

During the anniversary weekend, visitors will be able to explore several different exhibitions and art forms. On May 29, the museum will host guided tours of the exhibition “ICON-O-STASYS,” presenting the multifaceted work of Stasys Eidrigevičius – from drawings and painting to photography, installations, scenography, and elements of performance art. On the same day, visitors will also be able to join a tour of the exhibition “Another Turn of the Sleeping Ones,” which invites audiences to experience the work of painter Linas Katinas through atmosphere, sensation, and slow observation.

On May 29, the museum will also host a children’s tour of the “Children’s Forest Pavilion,” created from timber sourced from the forests of the Curonian Spit and previously presented at the Venice Architecture Biennale. This is not a traditional museum exhibition – here, the visitor becomes an active participant. The pavilion encourages touching, movement, exploration, and the creation of personal interpretations.

On May 30, the “Urban Change Pavilion” will be presented next to the museum, followed by a discussion about the urban transformation of Panevėžys, featuring architects, urban planners, and creators of public spaces.

On Sunday, May 31, the museum’s anniversary weekend will conclude with the dance performance “Vienudu,” which combines breakdance culture with motifs of Lithuanian folk dance.

All anniversary weekend events are free of charge, but advance registration is required for the tours.

The open-door event series “UžmESk akį” is initiated by the Central Project Management Agency together with the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Lithuania. Its goal is to demonstrate how European Union investments contribute to real change in Lithuania. The events are financed with European Union funds.