Describe the main features of the measure/initiative:
FICCI strongly believes that art and culture have a potential to create wealth in a sustained manner, allowing people and their communities to find new ways of overcoming hurdles. FICCI Creative Industries Committee focuses on policy work, ideation and outlining a road map to take the Industry to the next level. The aim is to revive dying Indian arts and infuse in them a new lease of life.
Under the auspices of the FICCI Creative Industries division, FICCI has started a series of conference entitled Smart Cities, Art Cities in New Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru. The aim is to make Art and Culture an integral part of a Smart City. Experts from the world of Heritage Conservation, Arts Management, Arts Education, Theatre and performance institutions, Corporate Arts Philanthropy, Art and Artist Support Foundations and more came together to discuss existing systems and future trajectories with respect to improving arts and culture infrastructure and knowledge sharing systems in order to achieve international standards and work toward establishing best practices.
Smart Cities, Art Cities has acted as a unique forum for reflecting on and defining the management of arts and culture. It has served as an access point for discovery, dialogue and inspiration between individuals and conglomerates.
The Vision is to enable and to support an ecosystem for sustainable art and culture; the mission is to make art an integral part of a smart city and the purpose is to bring organizations and individuals together to find sustainable solutions for art and culture through a platform for corporates, civil society groups, government, financial institutions, media, donors/ bilaterals/ multilaterals, experts etc.
Eminent speakers from Industry and experts have shared their knowledge and expertise through keynote addresses, presentations, panel discussion and case studies.
Outcome: Smart Cities, Art Cities has provided an interactive experience that will produce valuable and actionable outcomes.
Website of the measure/initiative, if available:
What are the results achieved so far through the implementation of the measure/initiative?:
FICCI has brought out few important reports mapping the sector and doing extensive surveys and interviews. The reports include Creative Arts in India – Theatre, Dance and Craft Industries (2016); Visual Arts Industries in India (2018) and Taking the Temperature Report (in association with British Council and ArtX, 2020)
FICCI has worked across the sector with artists and artisans, organizations to understand their needs and concerns of the moment and shared recommendations with Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Some of these recommendations have got acceptance and some are under consideration. The key recommendations are as follows :
• SOP’s for Opening of Cultural and Heritage Spaces in light of COVID pandemic.
• Basic financial support to artists and artisans and access to free medical care.
• Reduce to the lowest slab all taxes to artists, arts organizations, and cultural and artistic products.
• GST waivers on artworks, rationalize import-export of the artworks. All investments in any activity dedicated to the support and promotion of art and culture should be able to avail of tax rebates.
• Prioritizing art and culture development in Smart Cities and Tier II Cities. Inadequate Infrastructure has emerged as the biggest challenge whether exhibition spaces, performance spaces, rehearsal spaces or spaces for community workshops, training, selling of handicrafts and handlooms, etc.
• Easing of permissions has emerged as the top most regulatory support required from the Government for the growth of the creative arts industry. Create single window permission and licensing for cultural performances and events at the state level.
• Ensure Ministry of Culture and all its institutions provides financial support and fees to artists to record their programs and upload them on the Sangeet Natak Akademi platform.
• Have state and central Emporia to buy the available inventory by artists and artisans.