The transformation of neighborhoods through culture. After a positive performance in Madureira last year, Zonas de Cultura is returning to the neighborhood in the North Zone and also reaching Santa Cruz, in the West Zone, and Porto/Pequena África, in the Center. More democratic, the 2023 version of the program reaches three regions of Rio. Zonas de Cultura consists of investing in specific territories to create new cultural centers in the city. This Wednesday (17/5), the Municipal Department of Culture – via Fetaerj – will launch a series of calls for proposals for the program, in which approximately R$4,5 million will be invested, with R$1,5 million in each territory. There are nine calls for proposals in total (three for each territory) aimed at cultural producers interested in promoting, in each region, three festivals, ten to twelve cultural actions and ten cultural exchange products, in the latter case, held in schools.
The Cultural Zones aim to enhance the cultural vocation of the territories that receive the investment, through the strengthening of their cultural actions. Therefore, it selects, awards and promotes artistic projects through public notices. Legal entities can apply – in some cases including MEIs (details below). Simply access this site, belonging to the Civil Society Organization (CSO) selected via public call to run the program. The application deadline varies according to the notice (see below). Activities are scheduled to run from August to December.
Prizes range from R$10 (exchange program) to R$200 (festival), and up to R$25 (cultural activities). Registration and reporting remain straightforward: online form and simple report after completion.
The Municipal Department of Culture and Fetaerj will also promote training projects and interventions in each cultural zone. The focus is to maintain the results in the territories after the closure, enabling mechanisms for the sustainable continuity of the actions and the development of new initiatives. The target audience is artists, collectives, cultural producers, cultural agents and institutions with or without profit, as well as all residents of the city of Rio de Janeiro.
The Cultural Zones is an experiment on the importance of culture in debates about the city and the development of public policies to reduce urban inequalities. It is part of the City Hall's Strategic Planning until 2024, in addition to its objectives and guidelines being included in the current bill to revise the Master Plan (PL 44/2021).
Understand the notices:
There are three notices for each Cultural Zone:
– Cultural Actions Notice
– Cultural Calendar Notice – Cultural Festival Zones
– Cultural Exchange Notice – Cultural Zones in Schools
Cultural Actions Notices
Cultural actions, whether original or not, will be awarded. The funds may be allocated to events, cultural products, purchase of equipment and/or continuation of regular projects. Each proposal must include two days of events as a counterpart. Each successful proposal will receive R$25. Registration Deadline: May 17 to June 05.
Madureira: 12 proposals accepted
Porto and Little Africa: ten proposals considered
Santa Cruz: ten proposals considered
Who can apply?
Individuals or cultural and artistic groups that have been operating for one year or more in the territory. Legal entity, including MEI.
Cultural Zones Festivals
Each festival must last at least two days. Three proposals per region will be awarded R$200 each. Registration Deadline: May 17 to June 05.
Who can apply?
Individuals or cultural and artistic groups that have been operating in the territory for one year or more. Legal entity, except MEI.
Cultural Zones in Schools
A multicultural event held in municipal schools in the Cultural Zones, bringing together different forms of performing arts in productions aimed exclusively at children. In each Cultural Zone, ten proposals will be considered, each with R$10. Registration Deadline: May 17 to June 05.
Who can apply?
Individuals or cultural and artistic groups from the city of Rio, who are not in the Cultural Zone for which they are competing. Legal entity, including MEI.
NOTE: Proponents who develop work in a Cultural Zone can apply for exchange with other Cultural Zones.
Why Madureira, Santa Cruz and Porto and Little Africa?
Madureira is a center of cultural production in the suburbs and throughout the city. The Port Zone is home to a region of enormous historical relevance, with Pequena África receiving government investment to promote Rio's African heritage and memory. Morro da Providência is the oldest favela in Brazil. Santa Cruz, on the other hand, is the neighborhood furthest from the city center, with one of the lowest HDIs in the city, despite more than 450 years of history and important cultural production.
