The Limits of the Theater Promotion Law in Porto Alegre

Abstract

This article analyses the characteristics and the purpose of the city fund Program called Programa Municipal de Fomento ao Trabalho continuado em Artes Cênicas (a governmental fund for the promotion of continuous work in Performing Arts) of the city of Porto Alegre/RS in Brazil – described in the City Law Nº 10,742, enacted on September 1^st, 2009. Based on actual examples of groups and companies that benefited from this fund and considering the reference of the pioneering experience with direct public support for culture of the theater development fund Programa Municipal de Fomento ao Teatro in the city of São Paulo, this research proposes a discussion on the funding mechanisms of the theater sector and the financial sustainability conditions of the theater groups in the city of Porto Alegre. Thus further discussions on the cultural public policies that are necessary to guarantee the continuous work of theater groups are enabled. For this purpose, this study addresses the limits and restrictions of the law in allowing the economic viability of the performing arts sector and the role of the government in its promotion.