Equinox - National stage (Châteauroux - Indre)
Equinox is one of the youngest national scenes in the country. Beautiful place of artistic anchorage in the territory of Berry, this national stage is attentive to artistic emergences of national and local level.
A key player in the networking and cultural structuring of the territory, Équinoxe consolidates ties with the Conservatoire, the École des Beaux-arts, the Médiathèque, and maintains relations with the oldest partners such as the Bains-Showers of Lignières, the Maurice Sand Theatre of La Châtre without forgetting its opening to the Abbey of Noirlac.
Finally, the challenge of rejuvenating the public seems to have been won by the structure that gives pride of place to the runway arts.
THE DEGOALS OF THE DRAC CENTRE/EQUINOX PARTNERSHIP
Between 1985 and 1995, theatrical programming was provided in Châteauroux by the Maison des Loisirs et de la Culture (former MJC became "MLC" in 1980). This structure is occasionally subsidized by the DRAC Centre in particular in 1990, where it receives joint support from the decentralized services and the Ministry of Culture (central appropriations) for the creation of the show Richard III.
In 1993, the DRAC’s financial balance sheets announced the appearance of a new structure, the AGEC (Association for the Management of Cultural Equipment) which still manages Equinoxe today.
Between 1993 and 1997, the DRAC provided support to the association on an ad hoc basis for theatre workshops at the Saint-Maur power station or reading rooms.
It was in 1997 that, for the first time, mention was made of a "missioning", corresponding to the obtaining of the label "Théâtre Missionné", awarded by Philippe Douste-Blazy, Minister of Culture, to “recognize the special quality of the programming and the important public audience”. This label is accompanied by an increase in public support.
Equinoxe has, in fact, a very active policy in favour of the public, especially the school public: workshops "theatre" from primary to university, teacher training (IUFM), educational service.
In 2000, Équinoxe reached a new milestone, with the award of the label «national scene» awarded by the Ministry of Culture and Communication in recognition of the quality of the work done for years by the team. This label also makes it possible to rebalance the cultural offer on the regional territory. François Claude, director of Équinoxe, developed his project for the national scene in 2001. The effects of labelling are really felt the following year, when the operating subsidy allocated by the DRAC increases significantly (€263,588, an increase of +72% compared to 2001).
THE PLACE: A CREATION RECONTEMPORARY SOLUTION
In 1994, an ultra-modern structure made of metal and glass, designed by the Parisian architect Jean-Louis Godivier, emerged from the ground.
Inaugurated on 15 October 1994, after three years of work and at a cost of 18.6 million euros, the equipment was named "Equinox" after consultation with the Castelroussins.
The eighties brought to the fore the duo or trio concert hall/media library/museum. Equinox is in this line. From their new equipment, the elected representatives expected a dual function, both cultural and urban, capable of crystallizing the aspirations to which their city, a bit dull, could not respond". (1)
The building reconciles the technical requirements of a performance venue (matching ovoid shapes and sound quality) and functionality in the circulation and organization of technical spaces. As for the calculation of the metal frame with non geometric forms it is the product of a computer prowess.
The ensemble includes a 1,200-seat concert hall, a 200-seat auditorium, a scenic production centre (offices, studios, exercise rooms, etc.), a modular exhibition centre, a media library, shops, office accommodation, 500-seat underground car parks.
(1) Source: Building, Architecture Journal, Central Region, 2009, 2nd Quarter.
FIND OUT MORE
Red castles for all, Municipal newspaper of Châteauroux devoted a file to the 20 years of Equinox in its issue 85 of September 2014.
Building, journal of architecture in the Centre region is a quarterly published, since 2008, by the Regional Council of the Order of the Centre (CROA). Its objective is to report on the activity of the CROA and the architectural news of the Centre region. The journal regularly devotes files to architectural achievements, including that of Equinox in its 2009 issue.