This is a permanent arts venue that hosts all manner of events throughout the year, including classical music concerts, ballet and dance performances. It's also home to Cantabria's School of Dramatic Arts and the film theater. An eye-catching, monumental and controversial building that was designed by Javier Sáenz de Oiza and opened in 1991. The ground-breaking design is covered in marble and weathered copper, giving it a characteristic blue-green color. The roof is full of skylights, flooding the interior with natural light. There are two grand halls, the Argenta (seating 1670 people) and the Pereda (seating 570). Both are equipped with simultaneous translation booths, large film screens, closed-circuit television and much more.