France Allocates Record €4 Billion to Culture in 2022 Budget with 7.5% Increase

France's culture budget for 2022 has been set at over €4 billion, marking a historic high with a 7.5% rise from the previous year. This allocation adds €273 million to cultural funding. Minister of Culture Roselyne Bachelot described the increase as unprecedented, highlighting President Emmanuel Macron's administration's sustained commitment since 2017. The ministry's budget growth has accelerated from 0.7% in 2018 to 4.8% in 2021, partly driven by pandemic responses, with €13.6 billion directed to the arts since March 2020. Bachelot claimed 'We saved culture,' while noting the sector's ongoing fragility post-pandemic. Key beneficiaries include public institutions hit by COVID-19 attendance declines, the Pass Culture initiative providing €300 vouchers to eighteen-year-olds for cultural activities and supplies, and higher education's cultural sector. Public broadcasting is excluded from this budget, facing a €17.7 million reduction.