Putting the Aldir Blanc law into action through Comitê Intermunicipal de Emergência Cultural de Lavras e região

Abstract

Historically in Brazil, the cultural area has suffered with a lack of public budget and successive dismantling of public policies aimed at this sector. However, the interruption of artistic shows and other cultural manifestations due to the pandemic COVID-19, has further aggraveted this situation. Aiming to minimize the impacts of the pandemic, social actors articulated themsel- ves to approve the Aldir Blanc law, that provided financial support to cultural sector. In order to assist municipal managers of culture of Lavras-MG region in the process of allocate public funds, Observatório de Políticas Públicas da UFLA prepared an extension project that created the Comitê Intermunicipal de Emergência Cultural (CIEC). This paper discusses this experience. The metodology of the work consisted in analysis of interviews, virtual meetings with managers and cultural workers, as well as representatives of the cultural sectors. It was found that the lack of structure of municipal cultural systems made the expediture budget difficult. Some of managers left the CIEC and decided to return the funds to the federal government. On the other hand, some municipalities used the funds satisfactorily. It can be conclude that the support for implementation of the Aldir Blanc law and the creation of a dialogue space jointly contributed to develoment of local cultural policies.