- The Cultural Activation Office (CAO), one of the first lasting legacies of Cáceres’ bid for the European Capital of Culture title, has also launched the initiative “The CAO on the Move” to bring its services to municipalities across Extremadura
The Cultural Activation Office (CAO), established as part of Cáceres’ bid to become the European Capital of Culture 2031, continues to establish itself as a key hub for supporting and strengthening the cultural sector. During its first two months of operation, the Office has already assisted nearly fifty artists, associations, cultural organisations, creative businesses and other stakeholders, providing tailored guidance to help develop cultural and creative projects.
Created by the Cáceres European Capital of Culture 2031 Consortium, the Office has become one of the bid’s first tangible legacies, delivering a permanent service that strengthens Extremadura’s cultural ecosystem even before the final selection of the European Capital of Culture 2031.
During its first weeks, the Office has provided advice on a wide range of areas, including the design and development of cultural projects, access to funding opportunities and grants, event and performance production, communications, audiovisual production, public procurement, professional development within the cultural sector, and sponsorship and partnership opportunities. The enquiries received have covered diverse fields such as the performing arts, music, photography, audiovisual production, festivals and cultural heritage.
A lasting legacy
The CAO is also currently preparing the Extremadura Cultural Creation Guide, a comprehensive resource bringing together information on creative spaces, rehearsal venues, recording studios, audiovisual production facilities, cultural centres and other resources available across the region. The guide aims to foster collaboration among cultural professionals while increasing the visibility of Extremadura’s cultural infrastructure.
The Office’s work has also attracted interest beyond the region. While most enquiries have come from municipalities across Extremadura, the service has also received requests for information and advice from other Spanish regions, including Madrid, Andalusia and Castile and León, reinforcing the bid’s ability to build collaborative networks beyond the regional level.
Jorge Suárez, Cáceres City Councillor for Culture, said: “The Cultural Activation Office demonstrates that the Cáceres 2031 bid is already delivering tangible results. From the outset, we wanted this project to leave practical tools and lasting benefits for the cultural sector, and the CAO has already become one of those legacies, supporting artists, associations and cultural organisations.”
With the same objective, the Consortium has launched “The CAO on the Move”, an initiative through which the Office is working with local councils, organisations and cultural groups to bring its services to communities throughout Extremadura. Through this programme, both in-person and online advisory services will be offered, ensuring that no cultural project is left without support due to geographical location.
