Senator proposes 'Cultural Card' for Montevideo citizens to boost cultural access

Senator Martín Lema has put forth a proposal to the Intendancy of Montevideo (IMM) for the creation of a "Cultural Card." This initiative aims to fundamentally alter the city's approach to cultural promotion by giving citizens more power in their cultural consumption.

The proposed card would function as a form of cultural voucher, assigning a specific balance to beneficiaries. This balance could then be used to purchase tickets for a wide range of cultural events, including cinema, theater, concerts, and museum visits. It could also extend to attending festivals and acquiring books, thereby broadening access to diverse cultural experiences within Montevideo.

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The role of the departmental government would shift from selecting specific content to guaranteeing effective access to culture.

Lema criticizes the current cultural model in Montevideo, which he believes is overly focused on the supply side. He argues that the administration currently dictates which activities and artists receive public support, potentially overlooking valuable cultural expressions. His proposal advocates for a shift towards a demand-driven model, empowering citizens with greater decision-making capacity.

Under Lema's proposal, the IMM's role would evolve from being a curator of cultural content to a facilitator of access. He acknowledges existing programs like "Montevideo Libre" but contends they are insufficient in scope and resources to significantly impact overall cultural consumption. Lema emphasizes that the Cultural Card is not intended to increase the cultural budget but rather to optimize existing resources for greater impact and reach, ensuring a more effective allocation of funds.

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reorient and optimize existing resources to improve their impact and reach.