by InTrieste
In a significant move to expand the cultural footprint across the region, local authorities have announced a sweeping budget adjustment that will direct additional funding toward theaters, live performances, and cultural events. The initiative reflects the region’s commitment to fostering widespread cultural engagement and ensuring that quality arts projects receive the necessary support.
The Vice Governor for Culture and Sport, Mario Anzil, outlined the key measures of the adjustment during a press briefing on Thursday, revealing that three resolutions approved by the Regional Council will inject over a million euros into the arts sector. These funds will benefit theater halls, including small and medium-sized venues, as well as the three-year programming of major regional theaters and live performance festivals.
“The first ranking to benefit from this additional funding,” Anzil stated, “is the one concerning ordinary and extraordinary maintenance, as well as equipment for theater halls.” A total of over one million euros has been allocated to this effort.
Small venues with seating capacities of up to 300 will receive additional funding to cover ten more projects, while medium-sized theaters—those seating between 301 and 800—will support an additional seven projects. Large theaters, with over 800 seats, are notably absent from this round of funding, a deliberate choice, Anzil explained, as these venues had received substantial financial support in previous years. Small theaters will be allocated 460,000 euros, while medium-sized theaters will receive nearly 640,000 euros.
Further adjustments will channel 130,000 euros into the three-year funding of theaters that fall under the FUS (National Single Fund for Performing Arts). Among the beneficiaries are the “Verdi” Opera House in Trieste, national theaters, and regional theaters of significant cultural interest. This additional funding will be directed primarily toward the latter, reinforcing the region’s commitment to cultural preservation. “Altogether,” Anzil noted, “the Region will dedicate over 5 million euros to FUS theaters for 2024.”
In a further boost to the arts, an additional 315,000 euros has been allocated to support live festivals and performance series as part of the 2023-2025 programming cycle. Specific allotments include 133,000 euros for live performance festivals, 61,600 euros for live performance series, over 93,000 euros for musical and dance seasons, and 26,800 euros for musical competitions.
The measures are part of a broader regional strategy to democratize cultural access and support the growth of high-quality arts projects across a diverse range of venues. “Our goal is to ensure that culture reaches every corner of the region without neglecting any project that has demonstrated its quality,” Anzil emphasized.
