The reality of artistic support
In his new work, Ferran Dordal Lalueza has exposed a disturbing reality that affects many creators: the precariousness of artistic support. At the Joan Brossa Foundation, he shared his experience, revealing that, after deducting the documentation costs for his project, the clean salary he received per day was ridiculous, with only € 17.31 a day. This leads us to reflect on the economic viability of the artists and the true value of the support they receive.
Critics of the sector
This problem is not exclusive to Dordal. Núria Guiu, choreographer and anthropologist, stated in an interview with her disappointment with the idea that winning awards does not guarantee job stability. After his residence in various cultural institutions, he felt that opportunities had been exhausted. Similarly, the company Las Huecas echoed its frustration on social networks, demonstrating the difficulties they face in programming more functions, despite the success of its performances.
The diversity of creation support
The term ‘support for creation’ is present in the vocabulary of the Catalan art scene. This concept covers a variety of resources, from scholarships to rehearsal spaces. Its application is heterogeneous, with agents such as FiraTàrrega or the Ivanow Nau who offer more systematic structures. This diversity is a reflection of the need to respond to the changing conditions of the sector.
Story of a need
Support for creation was born in times of crisis, such as the economic recession of 2008 and the Pandemic of Covid-19. Both situations pushed for measures to help artists survive in a bleak landscape. This adaptation has been needed, but it has also perpetuated a system that is often insufficient to ensure the professionalization of creators.
A system that needs changes
Although creation support has provided many artists a breath, their effectiveness to foster professionalization is debatable. The current situation, where a playwright can gain less than the minimum salary for their work, highlights the limitations of this system. The voices that claim a change are increasing: a restructuring that evolves into a model that prioritizes the well -being and long -term development of artists.
Proposals for a sustainable future
To transform the support system, it is essential to increase the cultural budget and ensure that this increase is translated into qualitative improvements. The Generalitat of Catalonia has already recognized culture as an essential good, and it is time to continue to push for changes that really benefit the professionals in the sector. Only in this way can we build an artistic ecosystem that is fair, accessible and really democratic.
The stage platform and its research
The Scenic Platform, a collective committed to cultural management, has conducted a research on the challenges of the creation support system in the performing arts of Catalonia. Its results, which are available in a report, offer a deep view of the tensions facing artists and companies, and serve as a starting point for a necessary debate on the future of artistic creation in the territory.