It is tempting to reduce municipal cultural policy to the restoration of the existing. Maintain, repair, keep: as many essential missions, but which are not enough. A city cannot be content to manage its inheritance, it must also write a new page. And this responsibility goes to mayors first, because they are the ones who have their hands on public space.
Install a work in a place, integrate a creation in the construction or renovation of a public building, order a sculpture, treat urban furniture, develop a landscape perspective or plant trees that will become heritage markers tomorrow: as many political decisions that transform the identity of a municipality. These gestures are visible, durable, and contribute to the pride of the inhabitants as much as to economic attractiveness. They mark a mandate much more than invisible budgetary arbitrations.
The inhabitants must be given works that bring them together
The mayors have several levers for this. The system of artistic 1 %, too often overlooked, makes it possible to finance works integrated into the construction or renovation of a public building. Simplified public procurement authorizes a mayor to place an order for a work directly up to 40,000 euros, without heavy procedure. European programs, such as creative Europe or the Feder funds, support the creation and valuation of heritage. Finally, patronage of local companies or foundations can supplement the municipal effort. In other words, each mayor, whatever the size of his town, has room for maneuver to embellish his city and leave a trace.
Culture at the heart of the debate
History shows that today’s creation becomes the heritage of tomorrow. XIX fountainse Century, public parks, market halls or stations are examples: all municipal decisions which, at the time, were public procurement and which today structure our landscape. Tomorrow, they may be careful with care, plant works, artistic courses in neighborhoods or new architectural symbols that will embody the identity of a city.
In a few months, the municipal elections will place at the center of the debate the question of what each mayor wants to do with his city. It is time to assert that culture, through the art and aesthetics of public space, must be one of the axes of this project. The inhabitants expect visible achievements, which give meaning to the mandate and shape the identity of their commune.
Ultimately, the question that arises to each mayor is not only: “What heritage to preserve? »»but also : “What cultural and aesthetic imprint to offer residents for the years to come?” The answer not only engages the future of heritage and democratic vitality, but also the image of France itself: to give the inhabitants of the places and works which bring them together, which embody the vision of a mandate and, through it, that of our country.
