7. Financing and support
San Marino
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Last update: June, 2015
San Marino artists do not benefit from specific measures which are part of a well-structured and long-term cultural policy framework. The only legislative provision promoting the artists work, is Law n. 6 of 1983, regulating arts in public buildings (see chapter 4.2.7).
While this void has created a great deal of uncertainly and lack of confidence within the arts community, it remains lively. One of their main demands was the creation of the International Centre for Contemporary Art, with the full support of government institutions, mainly those responsible for culture. The objective of this Centre is to develop and promote artistic research and creativity through meetings and exchanges among artists, the public and those operating in the contemporary art sector in San Marino and abroad (see also chapter 7.2.3).
A public rehearsal hall for music groups has been created within the Parco del Sorbo, a park in the locality of Ventoso, thanks to the interest and contribution of the Township Council of Borgo Maggiore (see chapter 1.2.4 for details on the Township Councils). In this hall, which has also an aggregating and socialising function, young people can meet and develop their artistic and creative sides.
Following input from the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Culture in 2008, the Congress of State positively assessed the opportunity to resume San Marino's participation in the Venice Biennale, which was interrupted in 1986. San Marino has taken part in the international architecture and art exhibition with a selection of experimental projects created in the framework of seminars and workshops at the University of San Marino. On the occasion of the 11th Biennale of Architecture, the San Marino exhibition entitled "South Out There" was organised in Palazzo Zorzi, seat of UNESCO in Venice, with the support of the Cassa di Risparmio Foundation. The proposed theme included a study concerning objects useful in everyday life in countries of the South of the world. The participation of San Marino in the Venice Biennale after 22 years (its last participation dates back to 1986, with the project SANTACHIARA) was certainly an extremely important international event, also from a social point of view. The aims of the project were indeed in line with a tradition based on values such as respect for the rights of the weakest, solidarity and humanitarian interventions, which have always characterised the commitment of San Marino in the international community.
In 2009, with a view to enhancing the artistic ideal of its young people, San Marino participated again in the Venice Biennale by offering twelve artists the opportunity to represent the Republic at one of the most prestigious artistic events in the world. "43° 56' 11.77" North. Making Worlds" is the title of the specific project presented by San Marino, with the geographic coordinates of the parallel passing through the Statue of Liberty (one of the San Marino symbols) and symbolically rotating around the planet. This testifies to the commitment of San Marino to participate, as a protagonist, in the making of worlds, the theme of the 53rd International Arts Exhibition. Also in this case, the contribution of the Cassa di Risparmio Foundation was fundamental to export the image of the Republic outside its territorial borders and to present qualitative initiatives. "Project 43" was created in 2011: the artists' association A.S.A.R.T. took the Venetian idea and extended it, through some adjustments, to all San Marino artists, by providing this idea with a renewed impetus. This project involves the display of San Marino artists' works all over the world, through exhibitions in cities located on the 43rd parallel north. The project is based on the enhancement of the freedom of expression, formal and informal, and of artistic research, as well as on the interaction and social integration of "new States of art".
In 2010, San Marino participated in the 12th Biennale of Architecture in Venice, with a research project on arts in San Marino, ranging from the most prestigious international names to San Marino architects, as seen through the lenses of selected photographers. This research also raised the important question of architectural quality in San Marino. The government continues to guarantee San Marino participation in the prestigious Biennale of Venice, which is considered an excellent international occasion to promote the cultural, artistic and architectural aspects of the Country.
Also in 2011, the 54th edition of the International Art Exhibition in Venice entitled "ILLUMINAZIONI" hosted a San Marino pavilion with the participation of 13 artists. Four art forms were proposed - painting, sculpture, installations and videos - all based on "Light in action", the theme chosen by San Marino.
After four years, in 2015 San Marino participated again in the Venice Biennale (56th edition). The "San Marino - China Friendship Project" offered a group of artists from San Marino the chance to exchange views on topical issues with Chinese artists from different tendencies and experiences within four ancient Venetian palaces. The project, which was inspired by modern conflicts, aimed at providing a new idea of friendship and cooperation between peoples, combining the Republic of San Marino and the People's Republic of China which are bound by a strong tie of friendship (see also chapter 2.5.1).
Since 1992, the Republic of San Marino has always participated in the Biennale of Young Artists from Europe and the Mediterranean, the most important Mediterranean event concerning young people's creativity, which every two years hosts young artists in visual and plastic arts, architecture, strip cartoons, music, dance theatre, design, literature, cinema, video, performance, town planning and gastronomy. This event is promoted by the BJCM, International Association of the Biennale, a network made up of Ministries, local bodies, public administrations and private associations, of which San Marino is also a founding member. Since the early 1990s, the Republic has enabled several San Marino young artists to participate in the selections and about one hundred of them have been admitted to the various editions. Moreover, San Marino has offered them the opportunity to create and propose special projects (such as the Sanmarinosarajevo Project) and to participate in international events like the Biennale Big Torino or the Sarajevo Winter Festival. Through the Biennale, San Marino artists have had the opportunity to show their talent in an international context and to participate in exchange, reflection and training circuits concerning the contemporary artistic world (for further information on the Biennale, see chapter 2.5.1). In all cases, these are international events boasting a long tradition and great relevance. The participation of San Marino is undoubtedly prestigious for the Country and enables it to show its specific features and promote its international image and visibility beyond the arts sector.
With regard to music, in 2010 an Italian singer of Eritrean origins, Senit, was designated to represent the Republic of San Marino at the Eurovision Song Contest - Eurofestival, the singing event most followed by the European public. The decision to choose a singer without any connection with our State raised criticism and debate among the San Marino population and this issue was also discussed in Parliament. The committee explained that sponsorship was difficult to obtain for unknown artists. San Marino RTV has guaranteed that the objective in the next years will be to make an internal selection among San Marino artists and to be able to support the selected singer with a huge production and communication structure, so as to ensure the best possible presentation during the contest. And so it was: for 2012 the country will be represented by a San Marino citizen, Valentina Monetta, as it was the case in 2008 with the band Miodio; the 2008 edition also marked the debut of San Marino in this music event. The 2012 choice has been warmly welcomed in the country, where this artist is already known.
In 2013 San Marino participated for the first time in the JESC (Junior Eurovision Song Contest), the Eurovision Song Contest of young artists, now in its 12th year. The music of the participating song was written, among others, by Massimiliano Messieri, a San Marino citizen. The State television was the only one to broadcast the event in Italian.
"Supporting art", in particular San Marino art and its roles in the Republic, is the motto of the "Art Gallery 0-24". This project, promoted by a San Marino editor with the support of the Ministry of Culture, was launched in 2014 with the aim of creating a network of San Marino artists, compensating for the absence of projects dedicated to them and highlighting the San Marino artistic context. The first step was to offer artists, who often have difficulties in exhibiting their works, a virtual exhibition centre inside the magazine "Sorpresa!"; the second step was the group exhibition organised at the end of a charity auction, linking artists and citizens; and the third step was the publication of a catalogue, in order to create a collection of San Marino contemporary artists. This project, which gathered 32 local artists, encouraged, promoted and integrated artistic production in the local system.
Last update: June, 2015
No special funds for artists exist in San Marino, except for the annual State contribution to the groups belonging to the Council of Cultural Associations. In this case, however, State support is granted to the association and not directly to the artist (see also chapter 7.2.4).
Artists participating in the Biennale of Young Artists from Europe and the Mediterranean and ARTMIX receive some support from the State in the form of organisational and travel costs given by the Office for Social and Cultural Activities. The Biennale, the only regular event since 1992, is a great occasion for San Marino artists to promote their works and has become, throughout the years, a training, and exchange and production opportunity in connection with the world of art, industry, entertainment and media. ARTMIX - an event which took place for 3 consecutive years and ended in 2006 - was a music, theatre, cinema and contemporary art workshop whose main objective is training through the sharing and development of creativity, in order to stimulate the country's artistic and cultural production, taking into consideration national and international trends.
Last update: June, 2015
Direct support to artists in the form of grants and subsidies is sporadic and is not part of a long-term programme. In most cases, support is granted upon specific request by the interested party and does not result from a policy in favour of local artists.
There are many grants available to promote the participation of San Marino artists in events abroad as well as to bring foreign artists to San Marino.
ASART, an artist association founded in 1978 (belonging to and financed by the Council of Cultural Associations and Cooperatives) offers financial assistance to a maximum of two San Marino artists per year, who wish to exhibit their works. It also provides travel and accommodation funds artists to participate in meetings, exhibitions and workshops organised in major European cities. However, these cannot be considered as real scholarships to attend special courses or nor as special subsidies to young artists or initiatives aimed at promoting local cultural programmes.
In the framework of the project "Promotion of talent in the art of dance", the Ministry of Education and Culture, in cooperation with San Marino dance schools and the San Marino Music Institute, established a few scholarships for talented young people from San Marino in 2008. These scholarships are designed to allow them to take part in high level initiatives in Europe and outside Europe. This is a pilot project to be developed in the future, aimed at giving more opportunities to San Marino young people to express themselves in a sector which has been scarcely supported by the State so far. This initiative aims at developing art together with social and cultural elements to offer young people more opportunities in the framework of a comprehensive educational process enabling them to develop all their potential.
In 2005, the NUA Association, new contemporary art and research, composed of visual artists, musicians, theatre directors, political scientists, economists and cultural operators, launched and curated a project entitled "Going beyond the countries' art - small States on un-certain stereotypes". In this context, a first meeting gathering artists and institutions of contemporary art from small States of Europe was held in San Marino in November 2005. An observatory / network among the artists and the institutions of Andorra, Cyprus, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco and San Marino is being developed to support future cooperation. This network stems from the need to go beyond the countries' art in order to promote transnational exchanges of experiences, methodologies and instruments and to support art production and its development throughout Europe. The association keeps contacts also with Icelandic artists and institutions, with the aim of inviting them to take part in the network. Moreover, it is working to create its own Internet website, a publication and an exhibition, to be held in Milan at the "Careof & Viafarini Documentation Centre for Visual Arts", on the activity carried out during its first 2 years of life.
The project was realised in the context of ARTMIX 2005 download, a multidisciplinary exhibition curated by the Office for Social and Cultural Activities, in collaboration with the Modern and Contemporary Art Gallery, and sponsored by the San Marino Foundation. This initiative intends to favour the various forms of artistic creation, training and promotion, taking into account the best projects, also of international character, presented by associations and groups on the territory.
The International Centre for Contemporary Art also provides some support to facilitate exchange between San Marino and international artists. The Centre is expected to host - for a maximum period of two or three months - some international artists who are selected by a special committee, to work together with San Marino artists on an artistic project for the country. The Centre will offer some grants to participate in training courses abroad, will make some of its structures available for the organisation of exhibitions, performances, concerts and theatre events and will manage the participation of San Marino artists in the Art Biennials. Moreover, another important task of the Centre will be to become a point of reference for any information on courses, exhibition areas and training opportunities. The Centre is also expected to organise artistic and cultural events, such as readings, exhibitions, courses and meetings for schools, social groups and the public in general. Finally, through its workshops, the Centre will provide some services for internal artistic production, as well as for other activities such as the production and post-production of videos, graphic designs, web sites and multimedia products.
In 2006, on the occasion of the celebrations for the 100th Anniversary of the General Arengo (Assembly) of the Heads of Family (an event which marked in San Marino the beginning of modern parliamentary democracy), the Ministry responsible for Information and Cultural Institutes announced a competition for to artists, either San Marino citizens or residents, for the realisation of a commemorative work on paper or canvas in a free-form technique. The winning work, typographically reproduced on the information material of the celebration events, was exhibited in the Government Building. The winner received a cash award.
In the framework of the initiatives promoted by the San Marino Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe - characterised, in particular, by the support and enhancement of dialogue among cultures and religions - a competition was advertised for the project of a sculpture to be placed in a very symbolic place, at the foot of Mount Titano, a transit point for anyone going to the city centre of San Marino. The project winning the first prize is called "Different / Equal" and immediately suggests the message of dialogue and equality that the author wanted to convey (see also chapter 5.3.5 and chapter 1.3.3).
In 2007, the Minister responsible for Youth Policies launched a competition to create the logo and postcard to be used on the occasion of the initiatives addressed to San Marino young people. The competition was intended to give voice to the artistic expression of this group of society, recalling the concepts of participation, active citizenship, creativity, tendency to form associations, youth involvement, culture of young people, and cultural changes. The prize was presented on the occasion of the first Conference on Youth Policies, held in October 2007 and organised by the State, with the co-operation of the main San Marino Youth Associations.
In view of the Shanghai Universal Expo 2010, the Ministry of Tourism, in collaboration with the Government Commissioner for the Expo, launched a photographic competition entitled "San Marino City-State. The smallest and most ancient Republic in the world". The aim was to acquire images representing the various aspects of San Marino in order to realise the official catalogue of the San Marino pavilion in China. The winners, 12 out of 658 works submitted, received a prize in money, besides having their works published. With the promotion of this competition, San Marino has further added significance to its participation in the Expo, which has been defined as an extraordinary event considering that after the Second World War the Republic participated only in two Expos: in Brussels in 1958 and in Lisbon in 1998. Another competition was launched in 2008, always by the Ministry of Tourism, for the project of the San Marino pavilion in Shanghai.
Following the inclusion in 2008 of San Marino in the UNESCO World Heritage List (see chapter 2.9 for the Statement of Outstanding Universal Value adopted by UNESCO), the Ministries of Territory and Tourism, with the support of the San Marino Foundation - Cassa di Risparmio - SUMS, launched a competition to design the signs for the "Historic Centre of San Marino and Mount Titano - World Heritage Site". The aim of this competition, included among the initiatives envisaged by the Property Management Plan (see Law n. 133/2009 Framework Law on the Protection, Management, Enhancement and Promotion of the Property "Historic Centre of San Marino and Mount Titano") for the World Heritage List of UNESCO was to continue to strengthen and protect the historical, architectural, landscape and cultural heritage, while respecting the values of authenticity and integrity recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.
In San Marino there exists no Internet database or printed guide on the major cultural awards and grants, both for the public sector - at a national and municipal level - and for the private sector. Information is disseminated exclusively through the media: television, radio, web portals and newspapers. The website of Little Constellation (international network of contemporary art in geo-cultural micro areas and in the small States of Europe, see chapter 1.4.3) publishes announcements, awards and grants destined to the artists of the small States.
Last update: June, 2015
The Council of Cultural Associations and Cooperatives supports its members through annual financial contributions, upon request, and through the free use of public structures and services for the promotion of their activities, for example, by providing free postage, free bill-posting, printing and binding of informative material, etc. A prerequisite to become a member of the Council is the social and / or cultural nature of the association, which must be non-profit. This is confirmed by Law n. 99 of 1991 establishing the Council, according to which the aim is to promote a better coordination of cultural activities within the country and to develop exchange and collaboration among them, to promote the circulation of information among the various cultural associations, cooperatives and centres. Approximately 10% of its associations (133, as of May 2015) deal with music, writing, painting or photography. Members from the music sector include: the Bluesmobile, the Camerata del Titano, the San Marino Centre for Music Studies, the San Marino Friends of the Music Association and Musamelica. Members from the literary sector include: the Libraries of Serravalle and Faetano. From the visual arts and photography, members include: ASART and NUA and ASFA (Photo Amateurs Association).
Financial support is also provided to the associations - Camerata del Titano and San Marino Imagine - by the Ministry of Culture, which, by virtue of specific conventions, offers them an annual contribution to promote and disseminate the culture and knowledge of music and photography through the organisation of special events and other initiatives.
From October 2004 to Summer 2005, San Marino RTV dedicated a weekly radio programme to national non-profit associations, which will probably be proposed again in the near future.
In 2010, for the first time, the San Marino Chamber of Commerce opened its doors to the young people of ASART (San Marino Association of Artists) by hosting the exhibition "Depart Retour". The aim has been to promote culture, in its most comprehensive meaning, and to contribute to furthering awareness of the San Marino context and its intellectual and craft heritage, by regularly organising local art exhibitions. See also chapter 6.4.
Starting from 2013, the Ministry of Culture has opened its doors to artists and creative people of the Republic, to become a place where art is enjoyed and promoted. The invitation to showcase their creations becomes an opportunity for visibility for both artists and users, who can get in touch with the artistic context of the territory in an institutional space.
The SMIAF Project (see chapter 1.4.3) includes "SMIAFormazione", that is a series of seminars and workshops held by San Marino and international professionals in the fields of theatre, art, culture, production and management techniques, new ICT and WEB 2.0 technologies, juggling and circus arts. This is an all-round experience in the world of arts and culture, innovation and the new forms of active citizenship.
"AltreMenti Festival" is an initiative promoted in 2010 by the cultural association Don Chisciotte. This week long event includes conferences, debates, theatre performances, lessons in schools, aperitif meetings, exhibitions and cineforums of a cultural and philosophic nature held by well-renowned intellectuals to promote dialogue with institutions, citizens and associations and therefore to favour social contacts, active citizenship and projects proposed by the public. This is a successful event both in cultural and tourism terms because it can involve, in the local context, an international public that listens and discusses, besides visiting hotels, restaurants and shops. Since this initiative was not so warmly welcomed in San Marino, in order not to risk its annulment for 2012, the organisers had to look elsewhere for financial and logistic support and therefore some planned events had to be organised in the nearby city of Rimini, Italy, which invested in this opportunity. Although the Festival was created by and for San Marino, it seems that the organisers intend to transform it into a transnational event, in collaboration with the cultural centres of the surrounding areas.
In 2012, the "Voice Academy of Singing and Theatre" was established. This is a new initiative in the artistic world both of San Marino and Italy, which fills a territorial gap relative to the study of professions linked to singing and acting. The training, promoted by the San Marino Artists' Cooperative, under the aegis of the Ministries of Tourism and Culture, is directed to young singers and actors from all over the world who intend to study and specialise in lyric and modern singing, as well as acting. The promoters of Voice Academy hope that it will become an innovative cultural centre, which can be a point of reference for music and theatre, a dynamic and highly qualitative laboratory for the exchange of experiences, study and experiments, where international guests can be involved and prestigious masters can be organised. Among its teachers and promoters are some internationally renowned professionals from San Marino, including M° Augusto Ciavatta, Daniela Uccello, Luca Grassi, Fabrizio Raggi, Monica Hill and Martina Grossi.
In October 2012, on the occasion of parliamentary elections, A.S.A.R.T. - the association gathering San Marino artists - launched an appeal requesting politicians to pay more attention to the arts, to have an open mentality and a renewed awareness. A.S.A.R.T. believes it "fundamental to preserve artists and arts, intended as collective conscience, creativity and expression of the people's culture". Arts is defined as an "important growth factor", strategically relevant for a small Country like San Marino. Indeed, thanks to it, the Republic could become an "artistically live country, a meeting point for artists, by becoming part of […] international circuits". This Association has highlighted that, at least over the last twenty years, there has been a lack of policies for the protection, promotion and support of Arts: "There are neither incentives nor adequate structures and infrastructures to support this sector's operators. The increasingly reducing resources available to the Country's Arts are not used in an efficient manner". This denunciation, which continues despite the economic and financial difficulties affecting San Marino, like other countries, "strongly reaffirms the non-cultural value of arts, especially in a small country like San Marino". "Arts - continues the press release - can be a great opportunity, but it requires a joint commitment aimed at a specific objective. Institutions, private citizens, artists and all individuals could be the promoters of our growth". Finally, A.S.A.R.T. urges politicians by saying that: "Arts is a good to be preserved, since it is strongly connected with liberty, which is our primary value. The great privilege of artists is the possibility of expressing themselves with maximum mental freedom, without any limitations. We urge all political forces and movements […] to include Arts among the main issues of electoral programmes. There is considerable artistic activity in the Country. For politicians and for our institutions, this is a great opportunity, which must be seized now, for the creation of a new State of Art".
The "International Academy of Performing Arts Arengo" opened in San Marino in 2014: this business project of the cultural association "Erga Omnes" targets students from all over the world.
Last update: June, 2015
Foundations often sponsor artistic events and encourage the acquisition of works of art (see chapter 1.3.3). Moreover, institutions benefit from donations by private citizens, who leave their cultural goods for collective use. Therefore, there is a positive trend in this sense, as testified to by the 2010 donation to the University Library of the Ronchey Collection, a book heritage made up of more than three thousand volumes belonging to the personal library of the journalist and writer Alberto Ronchey (see chapter 3.1).
Regarding sponsorship and financing by private citizens in favour of the cultural sector, it is worth highlighting the initiative "A book under the tree", launched by the State Library and Book Heritage between December 2011 and January 2012 which was aimed at promoting each and everyone's active participation, as well as an increase in the collective book heritage and in the number of users of this Cultural Institute. More than 50 new books, chosen among those indicated in specific lists at the main San Marino bookstores, have become part of the common book heritage thanks to several generous donors. This direct involvement of users-citizens demonstrates their sense of belonging to San Marino and the love they feel for their country, as well as the interest they pay in the State Library, which promotes ancient historical and important origins. The public responded with enthusiasm also to the second edition of this initiative promoted by the State Library. 51 donors contributed to the growth of this cultural Institute by donating 65 books, chosen among those indicated in the lists deposited at the libraries involved, besides another 10 books spontaneously added by some donors. This is a further demonstration that the Library is very important to citizens and readers, who want to share their literary tastes. Each book donated has the name of the donor on its bookmark.
Private parties and representatives of the San Marino entrepreneurship have demonstrated a particular awareness, together with a proactive spirit of collaboration, in organising and financially supporting some events integrating those of public institutions. On many occasions, these events put together entertainment activities and solidarity and social cohesion initiatives.
The "San Marino Film Festival" (see chapter 1.1) was created and organised by a San Marino entrepreneur and this event underlines once again the effectiveness of the synergy between public and private.
With regard to future trends and indicators, the present government is in favour of the creation of an Arts Foundation, both public and private, based at the new exhibition centre (see chapter 1.3.1), to which banking foundations or other private citizens might contribute.