For 2016, the budget for this initiative of the Department of Culture that aims to support theater, music, and dance companies of the region has increased more than doubled, and reached 250,000 euros.
The Councillor of Culture and government spokesman, Noelia Arroyo met with more than a hundred professionals to spread the “Plan Escena” (“Scene Plan”) and promote dialogue among its main beneficiaries: those responsible for cultural programs of municipalities and members of the performing and musical arts companies of the region.
The meeting, held in the Auditorium Victor Villegas of Murcia, was attended by professionals from around 30 theater, dance and music companies of the region and by representatives of more than 30 municipalities of Murcia.
The third call of Plan Escena, which has more than doubled its budget over last year, reaching 250,000 euros, was launched on 23rd of March by the Institute of Cultural Industries and the Arts (ICA). Thus, ICA "continues to collaborate in promoting the performing and musical arts field of Murcia, as well as helping professional companies in their regional, national and international tours", recalled Noelia Arroyo.
"Along with the budget, we would like to get good results achieved so far duplicated as well, and, for this, we have brought together the main beneficiaries of this plan: municipalities and businesses performing arts. Together, we will keep working to achieve objectives as a broader and stronger cultural scene, "added the Councillor of Culture, who declared that "the cultural industries are set increasingly as one of the key sectors to boost economic growth " .
In fact, as reflected in the Unesco 'First Global Map of Cultural and Creative Industries', these create 29.5 million jobs and its contribution corresponds to 3% of world GDP, exceeding for example the income from telecommunications service. In the case of the European Union, its share in GDP amounts to 4.5% and jobs are nearing 8.5 million.
The Councillor and government spokesman said that "In the Department of Culture, we are also aware that companies that engage in the performing arts still face major problems and obstacles". Thus, she noted that "the public-private partnership should be essential on issues such as creating a network of regional scenarios, creating new audiences, performances and tours in other communities and abroad, improving training and professionalism, and also finding new ways of financing ".
Plan Escena Features
Of the budgeted 250,000 euros, the largest amount, 150,000 euros, will be destined to the regional “Plan Escena”, which will encourage the performances of Murcian companies in scenic areas throughout the region. Both municipalities and companies must meet the deadline on April 12th to join, after enlargement agreed this afternoon. During the month of April the list of shows will be published. Then the municipalities will have a few days to choose the shows they want to program in their spaces. The performances will run from late April until the end of the year.
Last year, 90 theater plays, dances and music of 40 companies in the region were included in the catalog offered to different municipalities. Finally, 17 municipalities joined this plan and welcomed a total of 36 performances. Councillor of Culture will take over 50% of the cache of the shows included in the “Plan Escena”, as well as in the previous two calls.
The National and International Scene Plan, worth 100,000 euros, is also intended to encourage mobility of companies by financing part of the expenses involved in a tour. Specifically, these grants may be applied for (until 12th April) to cover travel expenses, transport arrangements, accommodation and subsistence allowance for professionals who are part of the shows.
During 2015, there were 15 theater, dance and music companies of the Region of Murcia that obtained financial aid of the Ministry of Culture to represent 24 shows. In total, 58 national performances and international tours in cities of China, Mexico and Italy were held throughout the year.