Bahia State Launches Unprecedented Cultural Investments and Territorialization Policy in 2025
In 2025, Bahia's government made historic cultural investments and reinforced territorialization policies, supporting over 2,000 artists and numerous cultural projects across the state.
- • Record cultural investments in 2025, including over R$ 71 million for Aldir Blanc's first cycle.
- • Second Aldir Blanc cycle launched with R$ 70 million for 1,090 projects.
- • Verão Axé 40 years featured 362 attractions over six days in Pelourinho.
- • R$ 11 million allocated for restoration by IPAC; TCA undergoing R$ 260 million modernization.
- • FazCultura and Funceb expanded programs supporting over 2,000 individuals.
Key details
In 2025, the Bahia state government executed record-breaking investments in culture alongside a robust policy focused on territorialization of cultural actions through the Secretary of Culture (SecultBA). More than R$ 71 million was directed to the first cycle of the Aldir Blanc National Policy (PNAB), with 71% of supported projects benefiting the interior regions of Bahia. The second PNAB cycle was also launched with R$ 70 million across 27 calls, supporting 1,090 cultural initiatives spanning arts, identity, education, and the creative economy.
The Verão Axé 40 years program energized Pelourinho’s public spaces with 362 attractions over six days, while R$ 15 million funded the Edital Ouro Negro supporting Afro blocos and samba-reggae. Additionally, the Cultural Mobility Edital provided R$ 5 million for artists and institutions promoting activities beyond Bahia’s borders. The FazCultura program’s budget rose to R$ 20 million, its highest since the 1990s.
The Fundação Cultural do Estado da Bahia (Funceb) expanded artistic training and circulation programs, engaging over 2,000 participants. Restoration efforts by the IPAC surpassed R$ 11 million, nearly doubling investment in two years, earning national exhibition recognition. The Teatro Castro Alves (TCA) is undergoing a major R$ 260 million modernization project. Plans for a vibrant summer 2026 cultural program throughout Bahia were also announced to continue momentum.
This comprehensive strategy reflects the Bahia government’s commitment to fostering cultural development, supporting artistic initiatives statewide, preserving heritage, and promoting broad accessibility to cultural experiences.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
