Reports

Eight years ago, the GNO Foundation (SNF) delivered the GNO Foundation Cultural Center (GNO) to the Greek state and the public: a remarkable project that was conceived, developed, and is continuously supported by the SNF.

As we close the eighth chapter of our journey with 3,224,793 visits, we reflect with pride on what we have accomplished throughout 2024 and on how our founding vision continues to shape our daily operations and social impact.

Eight years after opening its doors, the GNO remains a dynamic hub of environmental sustainability, a model of accessibility and inclusion, and a platform for civic engagement, and we are proud that we measure our performance in terms of social impact, opportunities and emotions.

The GNO was created at the initiative of and with an exclusive grant from the GNO Foundation (SNF), which delivered it to the Greek state upon completion in 2017. Designed by Renzo Piano and the Renzo Piano Building Workshop (RPBW), it is a public space, where everyone has free access and can participate in a multitude of cultural, educational, athletic, environmental and recreational activities and events. The GNO hosts the new premises of the Greek National Opera (GNO) and the National Library of Greece (NLG), and at the heart of this public domain lies the GNO Park, the largest public Mediterranean garden in the world.

After 6 years of continuous support, the grant renewal by the GNO Foundation (SNF) for the next three years seals the faith in the GNO’s vision and continues to be the driving force for the operation and events of the GNO. Countless moments and unique experiences, such as those captured in the annual report video for 2022 a milestone year for the Organization constitute our own promise and commitment. Thank you- let’s keep going!

Οn the occasion of five years since the GNO Foundation (SNF) delivered the GNO to the Greek State, the GNO Impact Study was realized by the Boston Consulting Group in collaboration with the Greek National Opera (GNO) and the National Library of Greece (NLG)- an update of the study commissioned by the SNF to BCG upon completion of the project in 2016.

It is a useful, if not necessary, tool to monitor the progress of a non-profit organization, to evaluate its activities, its contribution to the Greek society and its operation over time, but also to redefine its strategy.

The most important points of the Impact Study focus on the GNO as a landmark of modern Athens and a global paradigm of environmental sustainability, on its cultural and educational footprint, as well as its deep economic impact.

Designed to have the lowest possible environmental impact, the GNO Foundation Cultural Center (GNO) is a hub of sustainability and innovation. Since the inception of its creation by the GNO Foundation (SNF) and architect Renzo Piano, sustainability has been a fundamental prerequisite and key element of the project.

In 2021, despite uncertain conditions that required us to constantly adjust our operations and adapt to new realities, these society-wide challenges fueled us to find ways in which to remain present and active and to deliver the full spectrum of the GNO experience of culture, education, sports and recreation to our visitors.

In 2020 the notion of how public spaces operate and their contribution to society were transformed while entertainment and emotional support arose as much needed elements of our lives, perhaps more than ever before. At the GNO, the response to the challenges posed in the last year came in the form of a consistent strategy based on three pillars: educating and informing employees and visitors, investing in safety, remaining close to our audience, even from afar- thus staying true to our vision.

Through the grant of the GNO Foundation, the GNO had the opportunity to present, amongst others, original digital content throughout the year, giving the public the opportunity to “meet” again with their favorite destination.

The result was 3,670 events, 3,670 occasions to meet with our audience, either online or at the GNO’s premises whenever that was possible.

In 2019, the GNO’s attendance rate continued to rise, reaching 6,3 million visits, underlining an increase by 19% in comparison to 2018.

From 2017 until today, the constantly rising visitors’ attendance rate, which is due to various factors, is an indicator that the GNO is recognized as one of the most popular entertainment, sports and educational destinations in Attica, while simultaneously is an epicenter for cultural creation and production.

After three million visits in 2017, a number that far exceeded any forecast, the increase in the number of visitors to the GNO Foundation Cultural Center continued steadily into 2018. In just two years of operation, GNO has been admitted as the major destination for entertaining, educational and athletic activities, as well as a leading cultural destination of Attica, whilst GNO Park forms currently the capital’s main metropolitan park.

On the foundations set in 2017, the GNO Foundation Cultural Center strengthened its role as a cultural producer and destination in 2018, expanding the spectrum of events in its programming and launching significant collaborations with cultural organizations from abroad.

GNO is the only cultural institution in Greece that not only publishes a dual report but is doing so from its first year of operation. Read about the vision, strategy, activity and success stories of 2017.

GNO presents its sustainability report, the first of its kind published by a Greek cultural organization of this scale.

Sustainability has been an integral component of the GNO Foundation Cultural Center (GNO) project since its original inception by the GNO Foundation (SNF) and architect Renzo Piano. Culminating in the great Energy Canopy on the roof of the Greek National Opera building but also reflected in a myriad of details of the building and GNO Park design, the sustainability imperative at the GNO stands out as a new paradigm in the construction, operation, and maintenance of public buildings and infrastructure. This concerted effort won international recognition with the award to GNO of the LEED Platinum Certification, the most prestigious international distinction for environmentally conscious and sustainable buildings.