MED JOINT CAPITALISATION CONFERENCE THE STRATEGIC ROLE OF TRANSNATIONAL COOPERATION IN ENHANCING COMPETITIVENESS IN THE CULTURAL AND CREATIVE SECTOR 2 ND A PRIL 2014 C HAMBER OF C OMMERCE AND I NDUSTRY M ARSEILLE P ROVENCE C ULTURE AS A FACTOR OF TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT H ORTENSIA M ENINO CIMAC 1

2 Territory

Culture as a competitive factor has often appeared in the local and regional strategies of development. The contributions of culture to the development of regions do not end with the reinforcement of competitiveness and with employment creation. In the values, attitudes and practices domain, culture shows us as one of the main axis of progress. 3

After the 1974 Revolution, the municipalities dedicated special attention to the field of cultural activities, especially in its intersections with education, following a logic of democratization and promotion of civic participation. This was not an easy option, however, the municipal authorities insisted on a way to development through education and culture. Cultural equipments- Municipal Gallery and Library Creation of a cultural office and the subsequent hiring of qualified professionals. 4

Local authorities and local cultural agents have worked to put in place a cultural project that seeks to ensure access to culture and creativity, reclassify the assets, create new equipment, promote cultural education among youth and provide a set of events of high quality. Education is, in the context of the cultural project, a basic and fundamental factor. Culture began to be wiewed as a estrategic axis for local development 5

The crucial role of local authorities (I) – Active development of cultural activities since the 80’s – culture as one of the three main pillars of local development - Culture was not considered under its more classical aspect alone, but also as linked to artistic creation 6

The crucial role of local authorities (II) More recently - Suporting initiatives by artists and cultural programmers, directly or mediating between the local agents and national authorities – Attraction of artists offering heritage buildings as work places and exhibition/performance spaces – Mediation between the arts/artists and the local community 7

The crucial role of local authorities (III) More recently -Proactive character evident in the lauching of partnerships together with private entities - the creation of appealing conditions to external cultural creators 8

artists territories? (I) - cultural development - visitors, artists, population - recognition of the city - economic and social development - cultural and artistic activities 9

artists territories? (II) - animation, liveliness, living - dynamism, movement, participation - knowledge, training, innovation - attracting new artists - working with children - recovery infrastructure 10

What is that municipalities and the region can offer? - municipal support, cultural policy - quality of life - cities and friendly people - tranquility - alentejo landscape - local conditions (cost of living, food) - opportunities - infrastructure, equipment 11

The culture as strategic axis of development an affirmation of identity of the region Future prospects of local policies - strengthen partnerships to support the creation and cultural formation - streamline programming cycles cultural giving priority programming in network - incentive program the young creators for the development of cultural projects of Community intervention in rural areas - create platform for the promotion and dissemination of agents and cultural projects 12