Arts and Theatre Institute

The Arts and Theatre Institute (Czech: Institut umění – Divadelní ústav, IDU) is a state contributory organization established by the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic in 1959 under the name Divadelní ústav (Theatre Institute). It is headquartered in the baroque Manhart Palace on Celetná street in Prague 1, where it has been based since the mid-1970s, with an additional workplace in Nekázanka street since 2020. The institute serves both Czech and international audiences with comprehensive services in theatre and partial services in other arts, especially music, dance, literature, visual arts, and creative industries. Its mission combines collection, documentation, research, and public access. The institute maintains extensive collections and archives of theatre materials, operates a library and specialized study halls in central Prague, and runs the Virtual Study Hall (Virtuální studovna), an online portal providing access to databases including the library catalogue, audiotéka, videotéka, bibliography, theatre productions, scenography, theatre photography, theatre events, oral history, and the Czech Theatre Encyclopaedia. It also engages in scientific research, publishes professional literature, and participates in international projects. Among its flagship activities is the Prague Quadrennial (PQ), the largest international event in scenography and performance design. Other notable projects include the Czech Theatre Encyclopaedia, Czech Theatre Photography, the Theatre and Freedom research project on independent theatre after 1989, Culture for Ukraine, Culture and the Climate, the Visegrad Literary Residency Programme, and NIK Academy. The institute also operates an e-shop and publishes books, journals, and collections. In 2005 the Arts Institute (Institut umění) was founded as a separate department of the Theatre Institute to promote the arts and raise their social prestige. In 2007 the organization changed its name to Institut umění – Divadelní ústav (IDU). In 2025 the institute was merged into a new organization, the National Institute for Culture (Národní institut pro kulturu, NIK), and its name changed to Czech Cultural Institute (NIK). The institute is funded primarily by a contribution from the Czech Ministry of Culture, though nearly 30% of its income comes from its own revenues. In 2017 it employed 65 staff, about one third part-time.

The Arts and Theatre Institute was established in 1959 by the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic under the name Divadelní ústav (Theatre Institute). Since the mid-1970s it has been headquartered in the baroque Manhart Palace on Celetná street in Prague 1. The palace itself has a long association with theatre: in 1706 it became the property of Jan Bedřich Manhart, who set aside rooms for public balls and productions; after his death his widow leased a ground-floor hall to itinerant acting troupes, including from 1717 to 1736 Johann France Seppe's group, Bonne and his flying men and tightrope walkers, German players led by Johann Heinrich Brunius, and Tommaso Ristori's commedia dell'arte troupe. The building obtained its current baroque appearance from architect Vít Kaňka and his son around 1700. In 2005 the Arts Institute (Institut umění) was founded as a separate department of the Theatre Institute with the task of contributing to the development and raising the social prestige of the arts. It focused on educational activities, promoting Czech art abroad, and exchanging information and experience between artistic disciplines. In 2007 the organization changed its name to Institut umění – Divadelní ústav (IDU). Over the decades the institute built extensive collections, a library, and specialized study halls in central Prague, and developed the Virtual Study Hall (Virtuální studovna), an online portal providing access to databases such as the library catalogue, audiotéka, videotéka, bibliography, theatre productions, scenography, theatre photography, theatre events, oral history, and the Czech Theatre Encyclopaedia. Its theatre photography collection was digitised and made accessible in 2008–2011, leading to an online database, a book titled Chapters in the History of Czech Theatre Photography, and an exhibition called Czech Theatre Photography. The institute also runs the Prague Quadrennial (PQ), the largest international event in scenography and performance design. In 2017 the institute employed 65 staff, about one third part-time, and nearly 30% of its income came from its own revenues. Since 2020 it has had an additional workplace in Nekázanka street (the former Wittmanovský house). In 2025 the institute was merged into a new organization, the National Institute for Culture (Národní institut pro kulturu, NIK), and its name changed to Czech Cultural Institute (NIK).

• 2025

  Merged into the National Institute for Culture (NIK) and renamed Czech Cultural Institute.

• 2020

  Additional workplace opened in Nekázanka street (former Wittmanovský house).

• 2008

  Theatre photography collection digitised and made accessible (2008–2011).

• 2007

  Name changed to Institut umění – Divadelní ústav (IDU).

• 2005

  Arts Institute (Institut umění) founded as a separate department of the Theatre Institute.

• 1970

  Since the mid-1970s headquartered in the baroque Manhart Palace on Celetná street in Prague 1.

• 1959

  Established by the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic as Divadelní ústav (Theatre Institute).

A state-funded centre of expertise for theatre and the arts, combining research, documentation, publishing, education, and international cultural exchange.

• Virtual Study Hall (Virtuální studovna)

  Online portal providing access to the institute's databases, including library catalogue, audiotéka, videotéka, bibliography, theatre productions, scenography, theatre photography, theatre events, oral history, and the Czech Theatre Encyclopaedia.

• Czech Theatre Encyclopaedia

  An encyclopaedic project on the history of theatre in the Czech Republic, publishing biographical entries, studies, monographs, and an online encyclopaedia.

• Czech Theatre Photography

  Digitised collection of theatre photographs (oldest from 1859), online database, book, and exhibition.

• Prague Quadrennial (PQ)

  The largest international event in the field of scenography and performance design.

• NIK Academy

  An educational programme designed to enhance skills necessary for effective arts work.

1. 1En | Arts and Theatre Instituteidu.cz
2. 2History of the Building | Národní institut pro kulturuidu.cz
3. 3Czech Theatre Photography | Národní institut pro kulturuidu.cz
4. 4Czech Theatre Encyclopaedia | Národní institut pro kulturuidu.cz
5. 5Arts and Theatre Institute - Wikidatawikidata.org
6. 6Institut umění – Divadelní ústav - Wikipediacs.wikipedia.org