Spain's Ministry of Culture will raise its funding for the Círculo de Bellas Artes in Madrid to 300,000 euros in 2026, countering sharp cuts from the regional government. The move aims to preserve the century-old institution's operations amid what the national government describes as economic strangulation. The decision was announced at the entity's board meeting.
Spain's Ministry of Culture has resolved to increase its annual contribution to the Círculo de Bellas Artes in Madrid, a private non-profit cultural entity. For 2026, the funding will reach 300,000 euros, a 50,000-euro rise from this year's amount. The step addresses the steady decline in support from the Comunidad de Madrid, which dropped from 250,000 euros in 2024 to 100,000 euros in 2025, with projections of just 12,000 euros next year.
The announcement came on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at the Círculo's board meeting, where the Ministry holds a seat. Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun condemned the regional approach: “it represents an unjustified attempt to influence the Círculo's programming and apply pressure incompatible with the cultural autonomy that any artistic institution should enjoy.” He further stated that “economic strangulation is a form of censorship we are seeing in other autonomous communities, and which the Ministry of Culture is actively combating.”
In a press release, the Ministry emphasized: “The Círculo de Bellas Artes is one of Madrid's key cultural and artistic engines, and the Ministry of Culture is strengthening its commitment to its work, whose impact extends beyond the city.” Housed in the historic building on Calle Alcalá, the Círculo marks its centennial this year. Over a century, it has hosted art and photography exhibitions, theater performances, concerts, film cycles, educational programs in various fields, and discussions among thinkers, establishing itself as a cornerstone of Madrid's, national, and international cultural scene.
This federal support aims to secure the institution's ongoing programs amid regional funding disputes.