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Support Increased and Conditions Toughened: Ben Saïd Launches a New Phase in Theater Management
The project to amend the joint decision regarding support for cultural and artistic projects, signed by Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication Mehdi Ben Saïd, signals the entrance of the national theater into a new phase characterized by increased funding and the linking of support to quality and professionalism standards. The project is not limited to technical adjustments; it offers a comprehensive vision for reorganizing the relationship between the state and theater practitioners, enhancing the efficiency of public fund spending, and keeping pace with transformations in the cultural scene.
One of the most notable features of this transformation is the increase in funding ceilings, where the support for the production and promotion of theatrical works has been raised from 200,000 to 300,000 dirhams. Additionally, support for localizing theater companies has been boosted to 800,000 dirhams. The increases also extend to national theater tours, artistic residencies, and writing workshops, indicating the ministry’s desire to support various aspects of theatrical creativity, from training to performance and promotion, with specific allocations for festivals both domestically and abroad.
In contrast, the project proposes new mechanisms for disbursing grants that combine facilitation and oversight, by increasing the first payment to 50% to ensure sufficient liquidity at the project’s launch, while subsequent payments are tied to compliance with technical and organizational commitments. The requirement for submitting financial reports certified by a licensed accountant has also been established, aiming to enhance transparency and ensure precise tracking of public support spending.
Regarding eligibility conditions, the project adopts a stricter approach by requiring at least five years of experience for theater companies, alongside an emphasis on specialization and the documentation of contractual relationships among various stakeholders. Balancing support for young talents with maintaining the stability of established companies, this amendment poses a key challenge regarding the ability of these reforms to elevate the quality of Moroccan theatrical production and entrench its professionalism in an increasingly competitive context.
