July 28, 2026
Through the SPARSE Plus project Take Art have been an adviser on both the research remit as well as contributing to the research itself. An advisory group with representatives from the European Network of Cultural Centres and the Horizon funded IN SITU led by Portuguese based University of Coimbra as well as Take Art have supported the researchers, Chloe Sustainability based in Barcelona.
While the findings, published in June 2026, are not surprising it is important that the disparity of public arts funding going into European rural areas relative to urban areas is highlighted. More detail follows below.
A new European study, Public Funding for the Performing Arts in European Rural Areas, commissioned by the SPARSE Plus project co-funded by Creative Europe, reveals a persistent territorial imbalance in cultural funding, with predominantly urban areas capturing the largest share of recorded support while rural territories remain consistently under-represented.
Produced by Chloe Sustainability, with SPARSE Plus partner and advisory group contributions, the report was undertaken to understand how performing arts funding reaches rural areas across Europe. It maps existing disparities and identifies practical changes that could improve opportunities for communities beyond urban centres.
Based on available recorded data, the analysis shows that predominantly rural territories consistently receive the smallest share of recorded national funding; with rural areas accounting for a significant proportion of the population while attracting only a limited share of public funding for the performing arts.
Differences also emerge between artforms; music benefits from stronger funding support and presence in rural areas while theatre and dance are particularly under-represented, raising concerns about the diversity of professional cultural opportunities available outside city areas.
The study suggests that rural disadvantage often stems less from formal eligibility than from the practical conditions under which organisations operate, making supposedly open funding schemes difficult to access in practice.
The findings underline the importance of rural touring networks and support mechanisms that address the real costs of mobility, coordination and hosting. The study outlines a series of practical adjustments that could help ensure that access to culture does not depend on where people live.
“All rural communities around Europe deserve professional performing arts opportunities!” Daniele Sepe, Deputy Director of AMAT (SPARSE Plus Lead Partner).
“Research is important for rural touring - it makes the invisible visible!” Ralph Lister, Executive Director of Take Art (SPARSE Plus consultant).
“Culture should not be concentrated only where funding structures are strongest. Rural communities are places of creativity, participation and innovation, and public support systems should recognise their value and potential." Adriana Světlíková, Director, Nova síť (SPARSE Plus partner)
The full report, Public Funding for the Performing Arts in European Rural Areas, is available at www.sparse.eu
