Eduardo Saron on Post-Pandemic Cultural Shifts and Itaú Cultural's Emergency Initiatives
Eduardo Saron, who has led Itaú Cultural for a decade and has been with MAM-SP since 2019, asserts that the post-coronavirus landscape will necessitate an emphasis on science, education, and the arts. He believes that institutions that embrace risk will thrive and anticipates a more humanized society. In response to social restrictions, Itaú Cultural has introduced emergency funding for artists across various disciplines to bolster the cultural economy. Saron defends these initiatives against criticism, underscoring their importance for artists in isolation. He advocates for a transition from mere democratization to active participation in cultural institutions and condemns Brazil's erratic cultural policies and cuts to the National Culture Fund. He also points out Itaú Cultural's digital growth and dedication to preserving memory and freedom of expression.
Key facts
- Eduardo Saron has been director of Itaú Cultural for ten years and a director at MAM-SP since 2019.
- Saron believes the post-pandemic era will require strengthened science, education, and artistic practice, leading to a humanized society.
- Itaú Cultural launched emergency grants for artists in music, poetry, performing, and visual arts to support the cultural economy during quarantine.
- Saron defends the grants against criticism that they encourage a competitive mindset, stating they help artists working in isolation without pay.
- He advocates for cultural institutions to move from a focus on democratization (measured by attendance) to participation (formation, fomento, fruition).
- Saron criticizes the lack of a consistent Brazilian state cultural policy and reductions in the National Culture Fund budget.
- Itaú Cultural expanded its digital platforms during the pandemic and launched the Itaú Cultural Observatory Data Panel, a first-of-its-kind data analysis tool.
- Saron emphasizes Itaú Cultural's commitment to freedom of expression and preserving memory, including histories of slavery, indigenous and African heritages.
Entities
Artists
- Eduardo Saron
- Flora Leite
- Daniel Jablonski
- Giselle Beiguelman
- Alfredo Setubal
- Milu Villela
- Olavo Setubal
- Francisco Weffort
- Gilberto Gil
- Emanuel Araújo
- Tarsila do Amaral
- Rodin
Institutions
- Instituto Itaú Cultural
- MAM-SP
- arte!brasileiros
- Select
- Folha de S.Paulo
- Pinacoteca de São Paulo
- MASP
- Fundo Nacional da Cultura
- Plano Nacional de Cultura
- Funarte
- Espaço Itaú de Cinema
- Rock in Rio
- Rumos Itaú Cultural
- a_ponte: cena do teatro universitário
- Enciclopédia de Arte e Cultura Brasileira
- Observatório Itaú Cultural
- Painel de Dados do Observatório Itaú Cultural
- IBGE
- RAIS
- Ministério da Economia
- PNAD Contínua
- Serralves
- MoMA
- Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente
- Arte Brasileiros
Locations
- São Paulo
- Brazil
- Salvador
- Porto Feliz
- Mato Grosso
- Grão-Pará
- Los Angeles
- Nova York
- Madri
- Amsterdã
- Portugal
- Algarve
- Argentina
- Paraguai
- Gran Chaco