Registration ends today for XI Award Funarte Marc Ferrez Photography. In January, RPCFB met with the president of Funarte in Rio, and at that meeting were the first steps towards the creation of new editias for Photography, opened in April ( read more about them here on the blog ). Seizing the opportunity, talk to the director of the Center for Visual Arts Funarte, Ricardo Resende:

1. What measures were taken by Funarte in favor of photography in recent years?
There would fit me talk about the cultural policy for photography in recent years, Funarte, given that the current management came in January 2009 (very recent, so). Anyway, the best person to answer this question would be my colleague and director of the Center for Integrated Programs, the Thaddeus di Pietro, who is also ahead of CCPF - Center for Conservation and Preservation of Photography. Like me, he has the same seniority.

What changed for me after a few months in the position of director of the Center for Visual Arts (I mentioned this episode at all times because it was very positive provocation of the photographer and teacher Milton Guran) was a complaint that there was no Dialogue with Photography Funarte. This comment awakened us to our total lack - or lethargy - in relation to the productive chain of photography. Until then, only the CCPF as a continuous action of the institution for language in the institution.

Currently, it is the CEAV make policy for photographic experimentation. To legitimize our actions domestically, was thought in the restructuring, which is pending in Congress: a Department of Photography and New Media. Parallel to this, after the meeting in Paraty (which generated the Charter of Paraty), create an announcement and another edition again. In which bids are priorizaríamos support for photographic language. Among them, the reissue of Marc Ferrez Photography Award, exclusively for the environment. For years he was shelved.

2. And now, as you see the role of Funarte in Brazilian photography?
The institution may resume its importance. But we need to be successful with our current bids. We need a good numerical and participation of relevant projects. Only in this way to broaden strengthen the values ​​and quantities of future awards announcements.

Moreover, this meeting [Ricardo refers to the meeting RPCFB - Producers Network Cultural Photography in Brazil, which occurs between days 27 and 30 May in Brasilia. Learn more about this tomorrow, here in the blog PEF] is unprecedented and it is the result of this joint Ministry of Culture, Funarte and producers of photography. Many proposals will emerge there and I'm sure potencializarão our work. But this amount will still be built and depend on this partnership with RPCFB. This dialog can be opened which was very rich in feeling.

3. The Funarte were largely responsible for the development of festivals and gatherings of photography in Brazil. With these new bills and the revival of Marc Ferrez award, the foundation plans to resume this role?
I think there is a lot. The announcements are important for the promotion, but the restructuring of Funarte is more, because we need to form a specialized team to streamline these actions already underway, and not just on policy announcements, which is important for the distribution of public funds for country and its cultural diversity. We need critical mass internal to the very best fundamentarmos notices and an effective policy to promote the picture. Only then will we able to become important again for the production and testing of photographic language.

4. Other models will be considered for promotion or just announcements? This is an ongoing program of the Ministry, intending to be continued, or a single measure?
Hope it will be a continuing, not episodic. But again I stress: will depend on the demand for awards. Unfortunately, the numbers show the size of the chain and therefore the size that must or should be investment in public notices and other actions of MinC and Funarte. For example: we have the Notice Network, which already has several years and is a success in your criteria and artistic actions it serves. The connection, which is already in its second edition, this year had about 850 subscribers. The first edition was only 260. It was a big surprise for us and showed we could do a good spread. Both were created in the management of Grassi and had front in CEAV, artist and cultural manager Xico Chaves.
I believe that culture is a good manager who has a good view, to continue the projects that have positive outcomes. So I hope that the next director of the Center will build on, of course, if our current announcements and current actions prove of interest to the photographic community.

5. What are the totals that these announcements will be made ​​available for the production and dissemination of the photograph?
This year, we had a relative progress compared to the 2009 budget, when we received only $ 2.7 million.
In 2010, only two calls that serve primarily the photographic language totaled more than $ 3 million: $ 1 million to the Invitation XI Project Award Funarte-Marc Ferrez Photography and $ 2.25 million for the Notice of Support for Festivals Photo of Regional Performances and Salons.

But we have to take into account the total value of all the edicts of the Center for Visual Arts in 2010, is R $ 8,713,752.00. I present this figure as all other bids were not restricted languages ​​or media. The photographers and producers of the productive chain of the photograph could have participated in any of them. More information and results are on the Arts Funarte Portal on the Internet.

The current Funarte, as the organ of the ministry should promote the picture, must regain its importance 70s and 80s, when organizing the national week of Photography, through Infoto - National Institute of Photography FUNARTE. Definitely, these initiatives legitimized photography as the most important artistic language of contemporary Brazilian society. With the new digital media, the photographic image taking direction impressive, with technological innovations, communication and artistic.

For an effective policy for this medium in turmoil, the Ministry of Culture and Funarte need to hear those most interested. I think that's what we're doing right now.