The Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication – Culture Sector has published a press release concerning the support of cultural and artistic projects in the theater, music and visual arts sectors for the year 2024, dated of June 14, 2024. This press release includes the specifications defining the targeted areas, the legal framework of support, the objectives, the beneficiaries, the types of projects, the application conditions, the support request files, the amount of support and its distribution.
This press release sparked various reactions from organizations, unions, unions and professional associations operating in the theater sector, as well as certain actors, professionals and observers. Most considered that the ministry had introduced new conditions likely to disrupt the support process.
In another press release dated this Wednesday, June 26, and of which Hespress FR holds a copy, the ministry recognizes the importance of the concerns of professionals and workers in the theatre sector, including their social and material conditions.
At the same time, he indicates giving absolute priority to access to social protection programs under the patronage of King Mohammed VI, while taking into account government guidelines to extend health coverage according to royal directives. Particular attention is also paid to the recommendations of the Superior Council of Accounts concerning the implementation of cultural and artistic support programs, as well as to notes and publications relating to taxes.
Concerning the specifications specific to theatrical support for the year 2024, the Ministry of Culture specifies that the formulation of the specifications remains essentially the same as that used in 2023, with the addition of two new elements: the conditions of requesting support and submitting a detailed financial report by an accountant, showing income taxes and VAT.
The 2023 specifications resulted from discussions during a study day organized on March 13, 2023 in Salé, where all stakeholders participated to restore lost achievements and strengthen support for residencies, workshops, festivals and the participation in cultural events, specifies the same source.
As part of improving the support system for cultural and artistic projects in the theater sector, based on the results of this study day, the ministry indicates that it has consulted professional organizations to modify the joint decision on theatrical support, currently in negotiations with all parties concerned. The ministry emphasizes that it intended to apply this new decision this year, making the necessary adjustments to harmonize the specifications, which delayed the announcement of support for this season.
To facilitate access to support for cultural and artistic projects in the theater sector this year, the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication specifies that for the certification of health coverage by approved entities in the field of social protection (CNOPS, CNSS, or others), this requirement will be postponed until support is obtained, each party being responsible for regularizing its situation with these entities.
Concerning the financial report, it must be prepared by the project leader and certified by a certified financial accountant, specifies the ministry, noting that it will study the new specifications for 2025 as soon as the revised joint decision is published, involving all actors to enrich the experience and improve the theatrical support system.
