Pressure on Local Councils to Fill Funding Gaps

Municipal music schools in Catalonia are facing a growing financial crisis as long-standing shortfalls in regional government funding force town councils, teachers, and families to absorb the costs. With over 50,000 students enrolled, 15,000 more than 15 years ago, these schools operate under a tripartite funding model originally agreed in 2008: one-third from the Generalitat, one-third from local councils, and one-third from student fees. However, this model collapsed after just one academic year. The Generalitat’s contribution dropped from 18 million euros in 2010 to zero between 2013 and 2014, citing economic crisis constraints. Although partial funding resumed in 2015, the latest annual contribution of 7.4 million euros remains far below the 20 million the Catalan Association of Music Schools (ACEM) says is necessary for sustainable operation.

Local Efforts Reach Breaking Point

Faced with inconsistent regional support, many councils have shouldered the burden. In La Garriga (Vallès Oriental), the Josep Aymerich Music School receives 70% of its 750,000-euro budget from the town council, while the Generalitat contributes less than 5%. Similar pressures exist in smaller towns. In Linyola (Pla d'Urgell), funding instability led director Ester Trilla to take leave due to "continuous uncertainty" in course planning. At the school in La Seu d'Urgell, fee increases and reduced teaching days were implemented to avoid staff layoffs.

"Music education has been segregated from the school curriculum and left to the discretion of local councils."

Meritxell Budó, mayor of La Garriga and president of the Catalan Association of Municipalities (ACM), said councils have waited years for renewed talks: "We have asked to address this again this autumn, because for too long, town councils have been making the effort."

  • 2010: Generalitat contributed 18 million euros (600 euros per student)
  • 2011: Fell to 15 million (460 euros per student)
  • 2012: Dropped to 7.8 million (230 euros per student)
  • 2013–2014: Contribution reduced to zero
  • 2015: 4.9 million euros restored (125 euros per student)
  • Recent years: Up to 7.4 million euros annually

Demand for Structural Reform

ACEM, representing municipal music schools, has formally petitioned all parliamentary groups to secure long-term funding. Former president Carles Farràs, who led the association for 12 years, called the withdrawal of funds a political decision: "We understand budget management is complex, but halting support for this form of education is one we strongly oppose." The association’s demands include the creation of a General Directorate for Artistic Education and a dedicated law to ensure legal and financial stability for music schools. In Borges Blanques, where councils jointly fund one-third of the school’s 620,000-euro budget, local leaders say they have "reached the limit" of what they can afford. Susanna Mèrida, general secretary of the Federation of Municipalities of Catalonia (FCM), acknowledged the Generalitat’s improvements in nursery school funding but stressed that music schools now require equivalent attention: "These are issues we raise every time we meet with the department." The Department of Education acknowledged that past contributions "have been affected by contexts of budgetary containment" but stated a shared interest in moving toward a more stable financing model, with plans to analyse mechanisms jointly with local authorities in future budget cycles.

Reported by en.ara.cat, Diari ARA.