French Government Gives Teens Money for Arts and Culture Experiences

For Sistema teenagers, one of the hurdles to exploring the arts is the cost of tickets.  The French Ministry of Culture has rolled out a new multi-million Euro program intended to reduce that barrier for 18-year-olds across the country. “Culture Pass” is an app that provides young people free access to cultural goods and activities, by giving them a €500 credit to spend on cultural events—including movies, concerts, and theater—and goods such as books, musical instruments, and DVDs.  There is some controversy about this project from Emmanuel Macron, but he is fulfilling his campaign promise and launching the app now that regional testing is being completed.  One critic pointed out that a similar program in Italy, the “bonus cultura” introduced by the former Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi, failed to increase attendance at museums, theaters, and monuments, and that young people used the money for purposes that were not “culturally elevating.”  Let’s hope the French program works, so that 18-year-old Sistema students in France have some cash to invest in their further learning. Check out this article to learn more. 

Date Published: 9 September 2018