Fundación Canal's purpose is to promote knowledge and encourage people to care for water. More than two decades after our creation, we have demonstrated this commitment through hundreds of cultural, artistic, and environmental activities, always with an innovative perspective. Exhibitions, concerts, workshops, conferences, etc., with the participation of over seven million people.
In the mid-19th century, Madrid was about to miss the train to modernity. The region lacked an industrial fabric, agriculture was scarce, demographic growth was non-existent... And one of the main reasons was a dearth of water. So, Madrid undertook one of the most impressive feats of civil engineering of its time.
The creation of the Canal de Isabel II (Isabella II's Canal), one of the oldest and largest public companies in the Community of Madrid, played an essential role in modernising the region and improving its inhabitants' quality of life. Since then, the entity has become a key player in managing and distributing one of humanity's most prized assets: water.
In 2001, on the doorstep of a new century, and on the 150th anniversary of the first time that water was brought to Madrid, the Canal decided to strengthen its commitment to society by creating Fundación Canal. This is a not-for-profit organisation to promote preserving and caring for the environment and to improve people's opportunities to gain knowledge.
Throughout its history, the Foundation has used environmental education to help Canal de Isabel II to promote a more efficient and sustainable use of water among citizens. Additionally, through cultural education, it has brought art and humanities to citizens, with the conviction that culture and critical thought are the cornerstone for generating knowledge, inspiration, and dialogue in society.
By helping to reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Foundation has a special influence on protecting and safeguarding the world's cultural and natural heritage (SDG 11) and quality education to efficiently use water (SDG 6).
Fundación Canal believes it is important to reach all of society, which is why its programming includes different fields, interests, and branches of knowledge.
Through its environmental education activities, the Foundation promotes knowledge and raises awareness of the entire water cycle and solutions for climate change, both in terms of mitigation and adaptation. It conducts research studies in collaboration with Canal de Isabel II and prestigious organisations, always with an innovative focus. Canal Educa, our free bilingual educational programme created by Canal de Isabel II in 1991, has used the company's knowledge to raise awareness with Primary, ESO, Bachillerato, and Special Education students about the value of water, climate change, and the environment. Along with in-person workshops held at schools in the Community of Madrid, we provide educational resources online that are available to all.
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In addition to studies and professional workshops, the Foundation also carries out its Conference Series, a chain of meetings led by artistic, social, cultural, and environmental experts who delve into topics of current interest.
It also carries out different activities to foster knowledge among children and youth, such as the scientific-environmental workshops, which immerse them in science and research through experimentation.
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Within the artistic and cultural sphere, culture is used as a tool to create knowledge, mainly through the works of great masters in music and modern and contemporary art. Canal de Isabel II and its Foundation have helped to spread artistic and cultural knowledge by means of numerous renowned exhibition projects.
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Fundación Canal has two exhibition halls: Mateo Inurria 2 Hall, mainly focused on sharing the great masters of modern and contemporary art, and Castellana 214 Hall, which occupies part of the Canal de Isabel II's Fourth Underground Tank, used for large exhibitions to interpret modern society from an artistic, scientific, or historical perspective.
The quality of its content, presented in a user-friendly manner, its original topics, and its collaborations with prestigious international centres have made Fundación Canal's exhibitions some of the most-visited and highly regarded in the Community of Madrid.
Additionally, a careful selection of activities adapted to each project's topic, both in-person and online, with guided tours for all ages, workshops for families, and a select Conference Series, complements the exhibitions to help the public to dive deeper and increase their art-related knowledge.
To bring the works of great musical masters to the public, the foundation holds the Chamber Music Series in its auditorium, with soloists from the Orchestra and Choir of the Community of Madrid (ORCAM), and the Family Music Series to encourage children to develop a taste for music. This programme brings together a variety of musical styles and diverse instruments.
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When potable water was brought to Madrid, it was the seed for an infrastructure network of enormous historical, technical, and heritage value. As part of Canal de Isabel II's social commitment, sections of this industrial heritage are now home to important cultural projects, including facilities and spaces for Fundación Canal's public.
The Foundation's headquarters, its two exhibition halls (Mateo Inurria 2 and Castellana 214), the auditorium and the garden, are located near the Cuarto Depósito Park, built over the cover of the Canal's fourth water tank, still currently in use. Occupying part of the underground space once used to store water, the Castellana 214 Hall has maintained the appearance of the former reservoir with its 144 brick arches towering over 7.5 metres high and spanning a surface area of 2,500 square metres.
In addition to being unique, the foundation's facilities are equipped with modern technical resources to properly conduct both public activities and to host private events when scheduling allows.
Fundación Canal is a not-for-profit entity that believes in transparency as the only way to conduct its activities and connect to its local environment and beneficiaries. With a desire to share how we manage our projects, our Transparency Page provides clear and accessible information on our organisation and its resources.
Fundación Canal takes care of everything, so all you have to do is worry about enjoying yourself. As a family, on your own, as a couple or in a group; by foot, by bus, on the underground or by bicycle: you are welcome here.