In an interview, marking the 20th anniversary of Casa da Música in Porto, the chairwoman of its administrative board, who has held the position since September, expressed her belief in the potential for increased public funding, suggesting it should reflect inflation rates.
“I hope funding will increase as needs are greater and funding needs to keep pace with inflation. We have been receiving the same amount for many years. I would like to believe it will happen, but I also understand that the state allocates what it can and deems appropriate for Casa da Música. We must also make an internal effort to improve both public and private funding. It is a constant challenge, just like anywhere else,” stated Isabel Furtado.
Casa da Música receives an annual allocation of 10 million euros from the Ministry of Culture, as outlined in the decree that established the foundation and its regulations in 2006.
This funding was subject to a 30% cut during the ‘troika’ years, a reduction that was gradually reversed starting in 2017, eventually returning to the 10 million mark in 2021.
Furtado aims to increase the number of founders, patrons, and sponsors. “Attracting more founders largely depends on them seeing value in Casa da Música in terms of ‘I am investing here and want accountability for how funds are used’,” she said.
“This is an interesting task that must be undertaken, and on which Casa da Música will increasingly rely. We must entice and prove to those willing to invest in culture that culture must be part of our lives, and part of any institution or company,” added the businesswoman, who is also the executive president of TMG Automotive, based in Vila Nova de Famalicão.
As the first woman to chair Casa da Música’s administrative board, she emphasized the corporate social responsibility to support local communities, which can be fulfilled through cultural investment. The foundation must demonstrate “that all investment in music and youth through music yields substantial returns for society.”
According to information available on Casa da Música’s website, sponsorship and patronage contributions hit their lowest levels since at least 2007 in 2023, amounting to 1.2 million euros. The most significant decline occurred during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, dropping from 2 million to 1.4 million euros.
The Casa da Música project began in 1999, as part of the 2001 European Capital of Culture initiative, and was officially inaugurated on April 15, 2005.
The foundation is celebrating its 20th anniversary throughout April, culminating today with a major concert of grand symphonic chorales, in which the Orquestra Sinfónica do Porto, Casa da Música Choir, Ensemble Vocal Pro Musica, and Ivan Filipovic Chamber Choir will perform Janácek’s ‘Glagolitic Mass.’
On Tuesday, the exact day marking the 20th anniversary of its official opening, ‘flash concerts’ will be held at Mercado do Bolhão, Hospital de S. João (for pediatric patients and staff), the University of Porto Rectorate, and at the Casa da Música and Trindade Metro stations.
