Cultural centers both private and state owned, are spread throughout the city.
Moreover all major banks in Turkey try to develop the art and culture
by opening cultural centers and arranging various activities.
Please also note that some of the Consulates as American, Austrian, British, French, German, Greek, Italian, Spanish, Japanees have cultural offices. They all organize conferences, expositions, concerts, films and language courses. Most of these cultural centers have a very rich choice of books, CDs, cassettes, DVD and VCD and these cultural activities are for both foreigners and Turks.
Akatlar Kltr Merkezi (Akatlar Cultural Center)
Akatlar Cultural Center is composed of a modern and comfortable hall with the capacity of 350 people, ballet room, classes and a foyer. Art courses are available besides play, concert, exhibition and meeting organizations.
Akbank Art & Cultural Center (Akbank Kltr Sanat Merkezi)
Akbank offers an interesting program each month at Beyoğlu Akbanak Art & Cultural
Center. You can enjoy jazz, classical music, opera or ballet via a large laser
disc screen. Painting and sculpture exhibition halls offer different Lithography
work shops, Serigraphy workshops and Ballet studio. Monthly programs are available
at every Akbank branch.
Atatrk Kltr Merkezi-AKM (Atatrk Cultural Center-AKM)
This cultural center in Taksim, is known as AKM. There is a multi- purpose hall
with a 1307 seat capacity for opera, ballet, theater and a second hall with
502-seat capacity for meetings and conferences as well as a 1200 m² Exhibition
Hall at the entrance. AKM also housing the Istanbul State Symphony Orchestra
and Choir, Istanbul State Modern Folk Music Ensemble, Istanbul State Classical
Turkish Music Choir.
Babylon Performance Center
Babylon at Beyoğlu, a multi-purpose performance room/club, is the trend-setting live music
spot of Istanbul. With its serious, courageous, no-nonsense programming on a
regular basis, Babylon hosts top performers, as well as the up and coming. If
you ask Babylon will send you the monthly program by e-mail.
Borusan Kltr ve Sanat Merkezi (Borusan Culture and Art Center)
Borusan is one of the biggest pipe companies in Turkey. They have recently formed
a cultural center in Beyloğlu with an exhibition hall at the entrance by renovating
a very old building on İstiklal Caddesi. Borusan also offers some workshops
for children and adults. The “Borusan Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra"
also performs on different concert halls.
İstasyon Sanat Merkezi (İstasyon Art Centre)
The motto of İstasyon Sanat Merkezi is “Art has no age”. They have branches
of three districts in town and offer courses ranging from painting to art history,
music to jewelry design, sculpture to stage arts. For more and detailed information
we suggest you contact the nearest -Taksim, Bakırköy or Kadıköy- İstasyon.
İş Sanat Kltr Merkezi (İş Sanat Cultural Center)
İş Bankası, one of the biggest banks of Turkey and owner of the highest tower
of the city ut 4. Levent, organizes concerts and performances with national and international
talents at its new place. You can find their monthly program at every İş Bankası
branch. Ticket prices depend on the performance; you can buy tickets from Migros
Caddebostan, Galeria, Maslak, Merter, Soyak), Vakkorama (Akmerkez, Suadiye,
Taksim) or Raksotek (Beyoğlu or Ortaköy)
Levent Kltr Merkezi (Levent Cultural Center)
The center hosts the latest films at its chic and comfortable movie theater of 140. A café is also available. Free shows takes place on some special days.
Mustafa Kemal Kltr Merkezi (Mustafa Kemal Cultural Center)
This six-story cultural center is located at TEM highway and Levent junction and was founded in the end of 2004. Multi-purpose hall with the capacity of 1000 people, a wide foyer, exhibition hall and digital library are among the facilities. The center also hosts a shopping mall carrying the same name.
Ortaköy Kltr Merkezi (Ortaköy Cultural Center)
Ortaköy Cultural Center hosts various activities with its movie theater of 180 seats, library, art gallery and classes. An elegant café is expected to be open at its terrace overlooking the Bosphorus in summer of 2005.
SGM-Sabancı Gösteri Merkezi (Performing Arts Center) SGM-Sabancı Performing Arts Center at Sabancı University is the biggest art and conference center on the Anatolian side. The center is equipped with latest technological facilities and ideal for congresses, conference, seminars as well as artistic shows. SGM is located at an area of 4.905 sq.mt. and has the capacity of 912 people. Free transportation is provided from Kadıköy and Taksim to Sabancı University on the activity dates.
Yapı Kredi Kltr Merkezi (Yapı Kredi Cultural Center)
Yapı Kredi Bankası offers you at Galatarasay, 3 exhibition halls with continuous exhibitions.
It also has a book and music store. Closed on Sundays
Yunus Emre Kltr Merkezi (Yunus Emre Cultural Center)
The center was founded by Municipality of Bakırköy. The theater has a capacity of 350 while the cinema hall has a capacity of 260. etin Eme Gallery hosts several domestic and international artists. An open-air cinema will be open during summer and is free for Bakırköy residents. Also, all events at Yunus Emre Kltr Merkezi are free for the residents 65 and up.
