Published as the MONDIACULT conference opened in Barcelona, bringing together cultural stakeholders to shape the future of cultural policies, this timely publication outlines a shared vision for European cultural policies.
NEMO is proud to have contributed to this important initiative, ensuring that museums are recognised, included, and seen as vital actors within the broader cultural ecosystem. Through active participation in the collaborative drafting process, NEMO advocated for the unique role museums play in cultural participation, education, sustainability, and international cultural relations.
The Sector Blueprint 'Towards the Culture Compass: A Sector Blueprint’ addresses ten key priority areas:
- Artistic freedom
- Working conditions
- Artistic research, culture and innovation
- International cultural relations
- Culture and health and well-being
- Culture and sustainability
- Cultural participation
- Access to cultural and arts education
- Culture and security
- Culture and digital
These interconnected policy briefs aim to strengthen the cultural ecosystem and reflect common sector-wide priorities. Among the key messages are:
- Culture is a foundational element of democratic and civic infrastructure, and access to culture and cultural participation is a fundamental right. This status should be clearly embedded in policies at every level.
- There is a shared call for stronger analysis and mutual learning. We see a clear need to consolidate the extensive body of studies, research, and expertise developed by the sector in recent years, including through EU-funded projects.
- We argue for stronger EU-level protections. Members call for more binding EU measures on urgent issues, such as an Artistic Freedom Act and a Directive on Decent Working Conditions in the Cultural Sector.
- Attention turns to the next Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034, which will determine the funding architecture for culture. There is broad support for a visible and well-resourced Creative Europe – Culture Strand within the proposed AgoraEU programme, complemented by structural culture components in other funding instruments (European Competitiveness Fund, Horizon Europe, Global Europe Fund, National and Regional Partnership Plans, etc.).
- There is broad recognition that international cultural relations should be a key strand of EU cultural policy. Amid global tensions and conflicts, international cultural relations offer a way for the EU to act as a global partner focused on mutual benefit and reciprocity.
- Members consistently caution against instrumentalisation of culture. As set out in our State of Culture report, culture can contribute meaningfully to democracy, security and competitiveness only when core conditions are in place: artistic freedom, fair working conditions, and public support.
NEMO welcomes the Sector Blueprint as a constructive and evolving contribution to the upcoming European Commission cultural strategy, the Culture Compass, expected in November 2025. By ensuring museums are part of this conversation, NEMO reinforces its commitment to advocating for the sector’s needs and potential.
