HIBAPRESS – Rabat
In a move aimed at restructuring the public support mechanisms for the theater sector, a draft amendment to the joint decision related to supporting cultural and artistic projects, signed by the Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, Mehdi Bensaid, revealed new orientations that place "quality" and "professionalism" at the core of its priorities.
The proposed amendment is not limited to technical aspects only, but rather carries an integrated vision for managing the financial support directed to theatrical troupes and festivals.
Significant Financial Increases to Keep Pace with Production
The most prominent feature of the amendment project is the clear increase in the financial ceilings allocated to various fields. According to the data in the comparative table between the previous joint decision that frames this area, the increases included the production and promotion of theatrical works, where the ceiling rose from 200,000 to 300,000 dirhams, in addition to the localization of theatrical troupes, where the support increased from 700,000 to 800,000 dirhams as a maximum.
Regarding national theatrical tours, they witnessed a jump from 200,000 to 300,000 dirhams. As for artistic residencies and writing workshops, they were also raised from 50,000 to 60,000 dirhams, and regarding festivals and events, a ceiling of 150,000 dirhams was set for festivals within Morocco, and 100,000 dirhams for participation in events outside the Kingdom.
Payment Facilitation and Increased Oversight
In response to the demands of professionals, the project proposes fundamental amendments to the method of disbursing grants to alleviate the constraints of prior financing. Among the most important of these changes is raising the first installment, where it was decided to grant the troupes 50% of the value of the support in the first installment (instead of 40% previously) as soon as the contract is signed, which provides sufficient initial liquidity to start work. And linking the payments to the results so that the remaining installments (20% then 30%) are disbursed based on the presentation of performances and fulfilling obligations towards the participants. It has also become mandatory to provide the ministry with a financial report submitted by an approved accountant, to ensure accurate monitoring of how public money is spent.
Strict Conditions to Ensure Specialization
The project did not overlook the legal organization aspect, as it stipulated that to accept the nomination, the troupes must have a regular practice for no less than five years. The amendment also emphasized the need to respect the principle of specialization, especially in the fields of directing, scenography, and diagnosis, with the submission of certified contracts for all those working on the project.
In the context of enhancing transparency, the project stipulated the determination of the compensation of the members of the committee in charge of studying the projects at 25,000 dirhams for each member for each session, with the approval of special compensation for the members of the administrative committee.
This project reflects the desire of the concerned ministry to balance between supporting young talents and maintaining the stability of institutional troupes. The main challenge remains the extent to which these additional financial resources can positively reflect on the quality of Moroccan theatrical creativity and the diversity of its expressions.
