How Brasília is shaping the city into a thriving hub of creative excellence
Project: delivering the ‘Conexão Cultura’ creative skills programme
The Purpose
To increase the support and development of Brasília’s creative businesses and those working within creative sectors. To increase opportunities and enhance the city’s reputation on the cultural stage.
The Challenge
Brasília has a thriving cultural industries sector, but creative businesses have sometimes lacked the networks and support to bring their products to a wider national and international audience.
In 2019 alone, the programme took 491 entrepreneurs to 28 countries.
The Solution
In 2016 the Secretariat of Culture and Creative Economy of the Federal District (SECEC) and its Undersecretariat of Creative Economy created the Conexão Cultura (Culture Connection) development programme. It aimed to up-skill those working in the local creative economy, equipping them to find new opportunities, while enhancing the reputation of the city for cultural excellence on a wider stage.
Conexão Cultura is open to those working in a range of art forms including dance, theatre, circus, cinema, music and visual arts. Through a Culture Support Fund, it offers four strands of financial assistance for creatives: grants to attend festivals and business events, support for touring nationally and internationally, research and training grants and a platform to promote creative practice in the Federal District. There are also workshops, exchanges, residencies, training courses and strategic events, so that creative producers can expand their networks. The City also encourages transparency and data sharing around strategic information that will assist the sector.
The Impact
In 2019 alone, the programme took 491 entrepreneurs to 28 countries, but during 2020 and 2021 the Covid-19 pandemic meant that only virtual activities were possible. Now however, the live programme is reviving. In 2022, the Federal District invested a further R$4 million, and travel began again in March 2022.
As well as giving Brasília’s creativity visibility on an international stage, the programme also supports SECEC’s top priority of social development. As the city’s cultural infrastructure expands bringing new opportunities, citizens are supported to access and appreciate art. The city’s growing national and international reputation for creativity feeds back into the wellbeing of its citizens.
Source: World Cities Culture Report 2022
Images Courtesy @ Getty/Canva
