NOVA University of Lisbon opens on September 10th a new hub in the South Tower of the National Palace of Mafra, dedicated to music, art and technology. Named NOVA Mafra Hub – Music, Art and Technology, the project places musical creation at the center of a space dedicated to research, training and artistic innovation. The idea to install this hub at the Palace of Mafra came in 2019.
The new hub is integrated into the Institute of Art and Technology (IAT) and results from the union of two research centers with long tradition in music studies: CESEM – Center for Music Studies and INET-md – Institute of Ethnomusicology – Center for Music and Dance Studies. These centers will now develop in Mafra scientific and laboratory facilities, including the Musical Acoustics Laboratory and the Musical Informatics Laboratory. Also joining is the HEDGE Lab, which establishes a Digital Heritage Laboratory focused on the documentation, preservation and enhancement of cultural heritage.
The location in the South Tower of the Royal Building of Mafra, classified by UNESCO as World Heritage, gives the hub an exceptional heritage setting. The space is located in the same building as the National Museum of Music and near the future National Sound Archive, enhancing synergies between the University and the institutions responsible for heritage preservation.
The renovation works on floor 1 of the South Tower were contracted by the municipality of Mafra with the company AECI, at the end of June, for an amount of 628,574.64 euros, plus VAT. The execution deadline is 6 months. The project includes the development of courses, workshops, masterclasses and other specialized training initiatives, as well as cultural programming open to the public.
