Spain/ 8.1 Support to artists and other creative workers  

8.1.1 Overview of strategies, programmes and direct or indirect forms of support

The visual arts have traditionally been one of the main recipients of specific measures to support creativity. Resources are available for exhibitions and for the acquisition of artworks through funds made available to public museums. Regional and local authorities hold competitions and provide prize money, and retain ownership of the winning entries (see also chapter 5.3.1). The Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport, in co-operation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, also develops various programmes designed to promote contemporary Spanish artists and their artworks worldwide (see also chapter 3.4). They provide, for example, support for up-and-coming artists to participate in major international biennials.

There are also subsidies for symphony orchestras and for the performing arts, for both national and overseas tours (distributed by the National Institute of Performing Arts and Music, INAEM). Aids to this sector, traditionally addressed to theatre, have spread to dance and, more recently, to circus and the popular music sector. With the project GPS - Turn by Halls, the INAEM aims to give artists (about 50 emerging artists in popular music) access to a concert tour (about 200) beyond their autonomous region. This programme, organised by the INAEM, together with the most representative entities of the sector, seeks to improve their level of professionalism and encourage the field of live music. With the aim of encouraging the contracting of performing arts events by local authorities, in 2011, the Ministry of Culture launched new funding mechanisms in support of theatre and circus programming in venues managed by the local administrations. In 2012, within the framework of the General Strategic Plan 2012-2015, the new State Secretariat for Culture launched a programme of aids to local authorities for activities that promote cultural communication. In particular, subsidies are aimed at financing cultural projects that facilitate the mobility of artists and cultural operators beyond their autonomous region, as well as the circulation of artworks throughout the national territory; improving territorial balance in cultural programming, promoting especially the rural areas; supporting projects that contribute to improving the sustainability of cultural infrastructures; promoting cultural diversity and citizen coexistence; contributing to the participation of civil society in cultural programming; fostering innovative projects aimed at linking culture to society; creating and consolidating new audiences and encouraging actions of awareness on the value of the Spanish cultural heritage.

Beyond the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport, other central government institution which plays a significant role in providing support to emerging visual artists and creative workers is the Youth Institute, which reports to the current Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality. The Institute holds a number of annual exhibitions and administers international tours, festivals and programmes with travel and work grants. There are various subsidies available from other government departments such as the Directorate-General for Fine Arts and Cultural Assets and for Archives and Libraries (Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport), the Spanish Agency of International Cooperation and Development (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation), and the Carolina Foundation, among others.

At the regional and local levels, support for artists comes from the culture departments of regional governments, provincial assemblies and town councils. In the bilingual regions, support for artists is seen as an integral part of promoting the regional language. The cultural programmes of these autonomous communities are frequently based on generic policies for encouraging local culture industries. One-off events, such as the European Cultural Capital in Salamanca 2002, the "Design Year" 2003 in Catalonia, the Universal Forum of Cultures 2004 in Barcelona, and the commemoration of the "Quixote Year" 2005 in the Castile-La Mancha community, do much in the way of promoting and disseminating local creativity.

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