The Regional Secretary for Education and Culture stated in Angra do Heroísmo that the investment in the cultural sector reaches this year "almost 2%" of the Regional Budget.
 
"It is with pleasure that I say that the Azores are beyond the threshold" set in the country "and, basically, everywhere," which stipulates that, at least, 1% of the Government’s budget should be allocated to culture, stated Avelino Meneses. He spoke on the sidelines of the meeting held by the Regional Council for Culture.
 
However, this does not mean that "everything is fine or that there is no room for improvement and progression," said the government official.
 
The Secretary for Culture also stated that, as regards to the support to the sector, the Azores have implemented since 2014 a "consolidated and transparent" system that is regulated by the legislation. He pointed out, as example, the legal schemes to support cultural activities, philharmonic and recreational societies, and the preservation and recovery of whaling heritage.
 
With this system, the Government has granted support amounting to more than 4.5 million Euros since 2015, which "corresponds to more than one million Euros per year," said the government official.
 
Avelino Meneses also pointed out that regional cultural agents may "finally" apply for the support measures launched by Directorate-General for the Arts "as a result of the persuasion" of the Regional Government and "some understanding" on the part of the National Government.
 
At the meeting of the Regional Council for Culture, the activities programmed by the Regional Government were analysed in the context of the European Year of Cultural Heritage as well as the creation of a cultural passport in the current legislative period.
 
The Regional Council for Culture is composed of the Regional Director for Culture and the representatives of regional museums, Duarte Melo, island museums, Virgínia Reis, public libraries and regional archives, Cláudia Cardoso, the Association of Municipalities, Tibério Dinis, the Azores delegation of the National Association of Villages, António Alves, and the Diocese of Angra do Heroísmo, Rute Gregório.
 
Established in 2013, this advisory body also includes Onésimo Teotónio de Almeida, Joel Neto, José Medeiros, Maria José Cavaco, Carlos Enes, Maria Isabel Albergaria, João Paulo Constância, José Costa, Ana Cymbron and Antero Ávila.
 
The mission of the Regional Council for Culture is to issue opinions and recommendations on matters related to the achievement of cultural policy goals in the Autonomous Region of the Azores as well as to propose the measures it deems necessary for its development.