Abstract

Commission regulation No 651/2014 treats as State aid public funding of museums, archives, libraries, artistic and cultural centres or spaces, theatres, opera houses, concert halls, archaeological sites, monuments, historical sites and buildings, intangible heritage in any form, art or cultural events and performances, cultural and artistic education activities and so on. However, it admit that a number of measures taken by member States may not constitute State aid because the activity is not economic or because trade between member States is not affected. Nevertheless, the Commission always stated that there is economic activity whenever the payment of a ticket is required. Recently this position has changed, having the Commission recognised the fact that visitors of a cultural institution or participants in a cultural activity are required to pay a monetary contribution that only covers a fraction of the true costs does not alter the noneconomic nature of that activity.