Established in 1994, it is housed in a two-story building in Chora, Andros. It is a benevolent foundation formed by the trust bequeathed by Petros and Maria Kydonieos for the express purpose of operating a cultural centre on the island of Andros.
The Foundation’s activity is twofold. On the one hand, it is open throughout the year to provide the island’s permanent population with access to events from the entire spectrum of art: visual art, music, literature, theatre, dance. It organises lectures on music and art, provides lessons in Byzantine music for children and adults and training in musical instruments, and runs a fully equipped pottery lab for children and adults. On the other hand, every summer it presents a series of events which make up the main part of its overall programme, having instituted since 1995 the “Ploes” series of exhibitions of Greek artists during the tourist season.
The Foundation sponsors various cultural societies of Andros in order to support the island’s activities in the areas of music, dance and the theatre, and since 1997 it provides grants to local high-school graduates who secure a place in the country’s tertiary education. It has also undertaken the total refurbishment of the Municipal Theatre of Andros, and has donated 15 traditional costumes to the Women’s Society of Andros to help maintain the local tradition.