Arts and culture budget sparks hope and scepticism

Nepal's national budget for the fiscal year 2026-27 includes an allocation of Rs10.53 billion for the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, a reduction from the prior year's Rs13.28 billion. Despite ambitious plans for art, culture, and heritage conservation, the budget has drawn criticism from artists and cultural activists for neglecting meaningful representation and constructive dialogue.

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When an artist goes on a tour, they employ hundreds of people. We want the government to recognise that the artist economy is also a growing field.

Musician Ishan Raj Onta highlighted the precarious social and economic standing of artists, emphasizing that the art sector functions as an industry employing many. He pointed out the vulnerability of the arts during the COVID-19 pandemic and the toll on artists' mental health due to a lack of government recognition. Onta expressed hope that the current government, led by a rapper Prime Minister, might address these concerns and involve stakeholders in future discussions.

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Due to this lack of dialogue and recognition, we do not think of how artists have been neglected at the cost of their mental health. It is tragic to see where artists lie in the hierarchy of society.

The budget outlines specific projects, including the conservation of historical Boudha Gumba sites in Mustang and Manang, and the establishment of a museum for indigenous nationalities in Kathmandu. However, these initiatives have also sparked debate. Writer Indu Tharu questioned the focus on museums, suggesting community-based preservation might be more effective. Heritage conservationist Alok Siddhi Tuladhar stressed the need for careful government approaches, distinguishing between extinct and living cultures when establishing new museums.

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I hope we can have a conversation with the government, perhaps a direct one, regarding what can make our experience and sustenance better. This is a government, I believe, that will listen to us.