The President of the Circles of the Museum of History of Barcelona and the Marès Museum has recently made a donation of 1000 engravings from the Gelonch Viladegut Collection to the Museum of Lleida. This collection is considered the most important in the country and was a significant cultural contribution just days before the population went into lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Gelonch, who is also an Honorary Member of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of Sant Jordi and President of Honor of the Welcome Talent Society, has been instrumental in promoting and preserving art and culture.
Gelonch has been vocal in his criticism of the Spanish Minister of Culture, stating that a minister should be knowledgeable and passionate about their field. He accuses the minister of belittling a sector that is already underfunded, stating that with low public budgets, administrative favoritism, and lack of transparency, the situation for the arts is dire. He believes that the art sector will be one of the last to recover from the current crisis.
According to Gelonch, the Spanish government does not allocate the necessary investment in a sector that represents 3% of the GDP. Compared to countries like the United Kingdom, France, or Switzerland, the cultural budget in Spain is significantly lower. He emphasizes that with an already struggling sector facing a crisis like the current one, it is uncertain when creators, orchestras, or theater companies will be able to return to work. Gelonch believes that the art sector will face significant challenges in the post-pandemic recovery.
Despite the challenges, Gelonch remains hopeful about the creativity and resilience of the arts sector. He acknowledges the importance of the connection between artists and the public, which has been disrupted by the closure of galleries, concert halls, and theaters. Initiatives like the Talent Chamber Awards, now in its sixth edition, aim to stimulate and support the arts community during these difficult times. The Welcome Talent Society, which organizes these awards, is working to showcase the industry’s ability to withstand and overcome challenges.
The #joimpulsotalent campaign allows for financial contributions to sponsor talent in a simple and effective way. By supporting initiatives like this, individuals can play a role in sustaining and promoting the arts during these uncertain times. Gelonch’s dedication to preserving and promoting culture serves as a beacon of hope for the arts community, inspiring others to come together and support the industry during these challenging times.