The Quinta Josefina neighborhood in Santo António is undergoing renovation work and has hosted an artist’s residency since October as part of the ESCUTAR project.

The Mayor of Funchal, Cristina Pedra, accompanied by the councillor responsible for social affairs, Helena Leal, was present today to mark the project carried out in collaboration with the Department of Culture and SocioHabitaFunchal.

According to a municipality statement, the artistic residency, led by artists Miguel Ramos and Ricardo Brito in the areas of plastic and performing arts, promoted “strong participation and active involvement of the local community.”

Cristina Pedra also took the opportunity to highlight the ongoing intervention in the neighborhood, promoted by the municipality. With an investment of 625 thousand euros, the intervention aims to refurbish, paint, and maintain the buildings.

Cristina Pedra also underlined the Funchal City Council’s commitment to ensuring the decentralization of culture, stressing that it should not be confined to institutional spaces.

“Throughout this administration, we have chosen to take culture out of the indoor spaces. Culture is for the people, with the people and of the people, and that is the aim of this initiative,” she said.

Finally, the mayor stressed that the main aim of these projects is to promote an approach to art, social inclusion, a stronger sense of belonging, and community development.

Last year, the LISTEN project involved 3 neighborhoods and invested 30 thousand euros. This year, the initiative will be extended to 6 neighborhoods, involving 12 artists and investing 60 thousand euros.

In Jornal da Madeira

Translated to English as a community outreach program from the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL) as part of Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance) at California State University, Fresno, PBBI thanks Luso Financial for sponsoring NOVIDADES.