{{Refimprove|date=February 2019}} {{Infobox museum | name = Bliss Institute | native_name = | image = Belize Baron Bliss Institute - B.E.S.T..jpg | image_size = 300px | caption = The Bliss Institute in Belize City after its remodelling in 2003 | map_type = | map_size = | map_caption = | established = 1953 | location = Belize City, Belize | type = Theatre, Museum, National Arts Council | collections = Archaeological finds from Caracol | website = }} The '''Bliss Institute''' is a theatre, museum, and National Arts Council in the cultural centre of Belize City. It is named after Baron Bliss.
The original construction started in 1953 and finished one year later. The architectural design was done in a modernist international style. The program consisted of a library, an auditorium, an exhibition area and reading rooms. The gallery for the auditorium resembled the prow of a ship. The trusteeship of Baron Bliss invested $251,829 dls in the construction of the building and $7,532 in furniture.<ref>Bradley H., ''Leo, Baron Bliss and His Bounty to Belize'', Belmopan, Government Print, 1986.</ref>
It was almost all refurbished in 2003 by a Mexican construction company,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://edition.channel5belize.com/archives/15580|title=Bliss Institute, House of Culture get facelift |website=Channel5Belize.com|accessdate=26 February 2019}}</ref> becoming the Bliss Centre for the Performing Arts, housing the headquarters of the ICA (Institute of Creative Arts).<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nichbelize.org/ica-bliss-center/bliss-center-for-the-performing-arts.html |title=Bliss Centre for the Performing Arts - National Institute of Culture and History |access-date=2013-02-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131108213905/http://www.nichbelize.org/ica-bliss-center/bliss-center-for-the-performing-arts.html |archive-date=2013-11-08 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
The museum contains a number of archaeological finds from the Maya site of Caracol.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.planetware.com/belize-city/central-bliss-institute-biz-be-bi.htm|title=Central Belize City -Bliss Institute|website=Planetware.com|accessdate=June 19, 2009|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100209220028/http://www.planetware.com/belize-city/central-bliss-institute-biz-be-bi.htm|archivedate=February 9, 2010}}</ref> The theatre stages numerous concerts and a number of artistic exhibitions and political events are held in the complex.
==Gallery== <gallery> File:Bliss Insitute 1999.JPG|Bliss Institute 1999, prior to renovations File:Proposal Bliss Institute 2005 rafbalboa.jpg| Proposal for renovation. Bliss Institute, Belize city. 2000 Source: Bachelor's Thesis Architectural Degree by Rafael A. Balboa </gallery>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category|Bliss Institute}} *[https://www.flickr.com/search/?q=Bliss%20Institute&w=all Flickr images] {{Belize City}} {{coord|17.493477|-88.186068|type:edu_globe:earth_region:BZ|display=title}} {{Authority control}} Category:Museums in Belize Category:Theatres in Belize Category:Buildings and structures in Belize City
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