Martes por la noche: creación y consolidación de 1993 al 2011
Date
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
El proyecto Martes por la noche surgió en 1993 como una iniciativa estudiantil de la Escuela de Artes Musicales (EAM) de la Universidad de Costa Rica, en un contexto donde las actividades artísticas de la institución carecían de espacios adecuados de presentación y de visibilidad ante la comunidad universitaria y nacional. Aunque desde los años 80 se vivía un auge en la música de cámara en Costa Rica, y ya existían agrupaciones y espacios como la Asociación Una Hora de Música y la Asociación Guitarrística, la EAM no contaba con una plataforma estable ni con respaldo institucional para difundir su quehacer artístico. La mayoría de actividades eran recitales de graduación o presentaciones pequeñas promovidas por docentes, sin llegar a tener mayor impacto o proyección externa.
Con buena acogida desde sus inicios, el proyecto fue adoptado formalmente por la Dirección de la EAM en 1993, bajo el liderazgo del Lic. Higinio Fernández, quien reconoció su potencial. En años posteriores, bajo diferentes direcciones, Martes por la noche fue fortaleciéndose institucionalmente, convirtiéndose en un proyecto de Acción Social con respaldo de la Vicerrectoría respectiva. En especial, durante la gestión de la M.Sc. María Clara Vargas Cullell a partir de 2003, el proyecto adquirió mayor estructura y formalidad: se estableció una línea gráfica, programación sistemática, diseño de programas de mano y se asignó personal asistente para su producción.
En 2009, el crecimiento de las actividades llevó a ampliar su nombre a Martes por la noche y algo más…, dada la cantidad de presentaciones que ya no cabían en un solo día. Posteriormente, se creó el programa Música en la comunidad, que albergó esta y otras actividades de extensión artística. Con el tiempo, también se consolidó la plaza de Producción Artística, garantizando calidad y continuidad en la organización de los conciertos y eventos. Así, Martes por la noche dejó de ser solo un espacio físico y pasó a convertirse en una plataforma integral para la música de cámara, en la que convergían conciertos, presentaciones de discos, investigaciones, libros, conferencias y más.
A lo largo de sus más de 30 años de existencia, el proyecto ha sido fundamental para fortalecer la música de cámara en Costa Rica, ofreciendo un escenario constante, gratuito y de alta calidad para la comunidad. Ha servido como punto de encuentro entre estudiantes, docentes, músicos nacionales e internacionales, y el público general. Además, ha promovido la consolidación institucional de la producción artística en la EAM, dejando una huella tangible tanto en la infraestructura como en la política cultural universitaria. La experiencia de Martes por la noche demuestra el poder de las iniciativas estudiantiles bien gestionadas, y resalta la importancia de sostener y replicar proyectos que promuevan la democratización del arte y la cultura en la vida social del país.
The project Martes por la noche (Tuesday Night) emerged in 1993 as a student initiative from the School of Musical Arts (EAM) at the University of Costa Rica, in a context where the institution’s artistic activities lacked appropriate performance spaces and visibility within both the university community and the nation. Although there was a boom in chamber music in Costa Rica since the 1980s, with existing groups and venues such as the Association Una Hora de Música and the Guitar Association, the EAM did not have a stable platform nor institutional support to promote its artistic work. Most activities were graduation recitals or small presentations organized by faculty, without achieving greater external impact or projection. The situation changed with the 50th anniversary of the EAM in 1992, which motivated a rethinking of its cultural projection, taking activities outside the classroom and giving greater formality to its artistic outreach. In this context, Room 107 was adapted into a small auditorium, and Musical Cycles oriented toward faculty were created. Simultaneously, the Student Association that year, concerned about the lack of participation spaces for students, promoted a music season called Martes por la noche as an opportunity to present student repertoires, share learning experiences, and foster connections with the university audience. Receiving a good reception from the start, the project was formally adopted by the EAM Directorate in 1993 under the leadership of Lic. Higinio Fernández, who recognized its potential. In subsequent years, under different administrations, Martes por la noche was institutionally strengthened, becoming a Social Action project supported by the respective Vice-Rectory. Particularly during the management of M.Sc. María Clara Vargas Cullell from 2003, the project gained greater structure and formality: a graphic identity was established, systematic programming was implemented, programs were designed, and assistant staff were assigned for its production. In 2009, the growth of activities led to expanding its name to Martes por la noche y algo más… (Tuesday Night and Something More…), due to the number of presentations that no longer fit into a single day. Later, the program Music in the Community was created, which encompassed this and other artistic outreach activities. Over time, the position of Artistic Production was also consolidated, ensuring quality and continuity in the organization of concerts and events. Thus, Martes por la noche ceased to be merely a physical space and became a comprehensive platform for chamber music, bringing together concerts, album presentations, research, books, conferences, and more. Throughout its more than 30 years of existence, the project has been fundamental in strengthening chamber music in Costa Rica, offering a constant, free, and high-quality stage for the community. It has served as a meeting point between students, faculty, national and international musicians, and the public. Additionally, it has promoted the institutional consolidation of artistic production at the EAM, leaving a tangible mark on both infrastructure and university cultural policy. The experience of Martes por la noche demonstrates the power of well-managed student initiatives and highlights the importance of sustaining and replicating projects that promote the democratization of art and culture in the country’s social life.
The project Martes por la noche (Tuesday Night) emerged in 1993 as a student initiative from the School of Musical Arts (EAM) at the University of Costa Rica, in a context where the institution’s artistic activities lacked appropriate performance spaces and visibility within both the university community and the nation. Although there was a boom in chamber music in Costa Rica since the 1980s, with existing groups and venues such as the Association Una Hora de Música and the Guitar Association, the EAM did not have a stable platform nor institutional support to promote its artistic work. Most activities were graduation recitals or small presentations organized by faculty, without achieving greater external impact or projection. The situation changed with the 50th anniversary of the EAM in 1992, which motivated a rethinking of its cultural projection, taking activities outside the classroom and giving greater formality to its artistic outreach. In this context, Room 107 was adapted into a small auditorium, and Musical Cycles oriented toward faculty were created. Simultaneously, the Student Association that year, concerned about the lack of participation spaces for students, promoted a music season called Martes por la noche as an opportunity to present student repertoires, share learning experiences, and foster connections with the university audience. Receiving a good reception from the start, the project was formally adopted by the EAM Directorate in 1993 under the leadership of Lic. Higinio Fernández, who recognized its potential. In subsequent years, under different administrations, Martes por la noche was institutionally strengthened, becoming a Social Action project supported by the respective Vice-Rectory. Particularly during the management of M.Sc. María Clara Vargas Cullell from 2003, the project gained greater structure and formality: a graphic identity was established, systematic programming was implemented, programs were designed, and assistant staff were assigned for its production. In 2009, the growth of activities led to expanding its name to Martes por la noche y algo más… (Tuesday Night and Something More…), due to the number of presentations that no longer fit into a single day. Later, the program Music in the Community was created, which encompassed this and other artistic outreach activities. Over time, the position of Artistic Production was also consolidated, ensuring quality and continuity in the organization of concerts and events. Thus, Martes por la noche ceased to be merely a physical space and became a comprehensive platform for chamber music, bringing together concerts, album presentations, research, books, conferences, and more. Throughout its more than 30 years of existence, the project has been fundamental in strengthening chamber music in Costa Rica, offering a constant, free, and high-quality stage for the community. It has served as a meeting point between students, faculty, national and international musicians, and the public. Additionally, it has promoted the institutional consolidation of artistic production at the EAM, leaving a tangible mark on both infrastructure and university cultural policy. The experience of Martes por la noche demonstrates the power of well-managed student initiatives and highlights the importance of sustaining and replicating projects that promote the democratization of art and culture in the country’s social life.
Description
Keywords
Música de cámara, Acción social universitaria, Extensión cultural, Producción artística, Universidad de Costa Rica, Democratización de la cultura, Costa Rica