The Socialist Group in the Cabildo of Lanzarote, through its councilor and former head of the Culture area, Alberto Aguiar, has denounced the insufficient budget allocation and the unacceptable conditions of the only call for cultural projects on the island published by the Centers for Art, Culture and Tourism of Lanzarote. With only 200,000 euros, this item is meager for an island that has historically linked its identity to art and culture.
“This budget, which is already insufficient, is designed to exclude the majority of local artists, who do not have access to large capital or cannot assume the imposed conditions. Requiring citizens to advance 80% of the investment is an abusive model that only favors large companies or self-employed workers with high financial capacity,” said Aguiar.
“Culture cannot continue to be relegated to small redoubts or become a privilege for a few. This model only contributes to a denaturalization of our identity and leaves out the true protagonists of Lanzarote's art: our local artists, who survive in precarious conditions,” added Aguiar. The councilor points out that with the aim of offering the maximum opportunities to artists, during the last legislature with the Culture area under his direction, each project presented was analyzed meticulously, taking into account both its artistic and financial viability. The financing of each initiative was negotiated between the parties, guaranteeing a budgetary balance that benefits both the promoters and the Entity.
“This management model sought to promote the creation and development of sustainable projects, providing artists with the necessary support to carry out their proposals without compromising available resources. The Entity thus promoted its commitment to the artistic sector, ensuring an environment of collaboration and shared growth,” adds Aguiar.
The PSOE of Lanzarote demands that the Cabildo and its president, Oswaldo Betancort, rethink this call, increasing the allocated funds and eliminating the economic barriers that exclude the majority of local creators. “It is necessary to promote a cultural policy that promotes local talent and does not turn our island into an empty showcase,” concluded the socialist councilor.