The dissemination of culture
A Rich, varied culture that is accessible to all
The general outlines of the Prince’s Government's policy aimed at promoting the dissemination of culture can be grouped into three main areas:
A high-quality artistic programme
The Prince’s Government is committed to offering a high-quality international programme, worthy of a cultural metropolis. It therefore supports the major cultural entities:
- The Compagnie des Ballets de Monte-Carlo which is internationally renowned for the quality of its work and its ongoing policy of creating new works
- The Monte-Carlo Opera, which offers a prestigious season of performances, with a varied repertoire
- The Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra which celebrated the 50th anniversary of concerts given in the main Courtyard of the Prince's Palace in the summer of 2009
- The Théâtre Princesse Grace which offers a season of high-quality
- The Printemps des Arts de Monte-Carlo spring arts festival, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2014. Its new formula was very successful with the audiences.
International tours by the Ballets de Monte-Carlo and les Petits Chanteurs de Monaco (The Little Singers of Monaco), as well as the travels undertaken by the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra contribute to the Principality's international cultural influence.
This programme is reinforced by promoting Monegasque cultural events to the international specialist press through targeted activities on a regional level (in the French Riviera the Italian Riviera and Lombardy) and internationally, and by working in association with the Tourist and Convention Authority and the Société des Bains de Mer to highlight culture as a promotional touristic asset and coordinate the annual programme of events.
A wider audience for culture
For several years, the Government has undertaken a series of initiatives designed to encourage a cultural programme and cultural practices promoting wider access to culture for all. This includes an introduction to art and culture for children in all the educational establishments in the Principality in liaison with the major Monegasque cultural entities, in association with the Department of Education, Youth and Sport.
In addition, the arts education provided in the Principality has been developed, particularly in the École Supérieure d’Arts Plastiques de la Ville de Monaco (School of Visual Arts of the City of Monaco) and the Académie de Musique et de Théâtre Fondation Prince Rainier III (Prince Rainier III Foundation Academy of Music and Theatre), recognised respectively by France as an institution of higher education for the arts and an influential regional conservatoire.
Similarly, the Académie Princesse Grace (Princess Grace Academy) trains dancers in an establishment that offers both an artistic and scholarly education.
The Principality also offers high-quality events that are accessible to all and free of charge or at an affordable price (including the Journée européenne du Patrimoine (European Heritage Day); Fort Antoine dans la ville (Fort Antoine in Town); and the International Organ Festival .
Managing the appropriate cultural facilities.
The Principality's key cultural players have first-class public facilities available to them. These include the Salle d'Exposition du quai Antoine Ier (Quai Antoine Ier exhibition hall), which hosts exhibitions organised by the Department of Cultural Affairs and those of entities such as the National Monegasque Committee for the International Association of the Visual Arts, the Rainier III Auditorium, the Théâtre des Variétés and the Fort Antoine Amphitheatre. These are made available free of charge or at very favourable rates. They are managed by the Department of Cultural Affairs and its technical staff.
The Principality also has other places devoted to cultural events:
