1. Cultural policy system
Monaco
Last update: December, 2021
The Princes of Monaco have supported the arts since the 18th century, thus giving the Principality a greater cultural influence in comparison to its small territory.
A symbol of this success is the Monte Carlo Opera, built in 1879 by Charles Garnier, the architect of the Paris Opera. This prestigious opera house very soon achieved great international renown due to a policy of operatic, symphonic and choreographic creations, and it hosted famous performances of Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes. This was an outstanding period of 
cultural activity when a large number of the great 20th century artists, composers, painters and choreographers converged on the Principality, among them Stavisky, Ravel, Braque, Cocteau, De Chirico, Fokine, Balanchine and others.
True to this tradition, Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace gave new life to Monégasque culture, notably with the re-creation of the Ballet in 1985.
Since 1997, the government has made a strong commitment to the arts, allocating around 5% of the annual budget to culture and by issuing a cultural plan each year.
The state focuses on developing a cultural programme of high quality, with an emphasis on music, an ambitious plan for special facilities and a heritage conservation project. Created in 1966, the Directorate of Cultural Affairs continues its remit of proposing measures designed to enhance the intellectual and artistic life of the state.
The Principality reinforces its status as a cultural dominion by actively participating in many international cultural organisations such as UNESCO, the International Organisation of la Francophonie and the Council of Europe.
Last update: December, 2021
Last update: December, 2021
The Principality of Monaco is a hereditary and constitutional monarchy with a regime governed by the Constitution of 17th December 1962 (revised in 2002).
Executive power lies in the authority of the Prince, services are controlled by the Minister of State, assisted by five Members of the Government, each of whom is in charge of a specific Ministry: Interior, Finances and the Economy, Health and Social Affairs, Public Works, the Environment and Urban Development, Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.
Within the Ministry of Interior, the Department of Cultural Affairs is responsible for proposing measures designed to enhance the intellectual and artistic life of the Principality.
Last update: December, 2021
Please find the available information on this subject in chapter 1.2.2.
Last update: December, 2021
Please find the available information on this subject in chapterv1.2.2.
Last update: December, 2021
The government supports the main cultural institutions, through their high-quality cultural offering, contribute to the cultural influence of the Principality of Monaco:
- the Monte-Carlo Ballet Company part of whose repertoire is danced abroad every year;
- the Monte-Carlo Opera offers a diverse repertoire;
- the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra;
- the Theatre Princess Grace;
- the Festival Printemps des Arts de Monte-Carlo offers an eclectic musical programme;
- The Nouveau Musée National of Monaco, present on two sites, the Villa Sauber and the Villa Paloma, proposes each year specific exhibitions; and,
- The Rencontres Philosophiques, which, since its creation in 2015, has been organising annual workshops and conferences with the participation of french and international actual thinkers.
Last update: December, 2021
The Department of Cultural Affairs works in collaboration with other Department and brings its technical and logistical expertise that operate under the Ministry of Interior, such as the Department of Education, Youth and Sport. It also cooperates with the Tourism and Convention Authority within the Ministry of Finance and Economy on the development of cultural tourism in the Principality.
Last update: December, 2021
In addition to the main cultural institutions that form the core of Monaco's cultural landscape (see chapter 1.2.5.), the Principality of Monaco has certain infrastructures that host numerous cultural events.
Since the opening of the Grimaldi Forum, the culture and conference centre designed to host outstanding events, the culture department of this private structure organises many exhibitions of international renown.
The Société des Bains, in addition to its hotel and restaurant activities, hosts a summer concert programme in the Salle aux Etoiles in the Casino square.
The municipality of Monaco also has a concert hall, the Espace Léo Ferré and plans to create abcultural meeting place in 2023.
Last update: December, 2021
Table 1: Cultural institutions, by sector and domain
| Domain | Cultural institutions (subdomains) | Public sector Number (2021) | Public sector Trend last 5 years (in %) | Private sector Number (2021) | Private sector Trend last 5 years (in %) |
| Cultural heritage | Cultural heritage sites (recognised) | 0 | - | 0 | - |
| Archaeological sites | 1 | - | 0 | - | |
| Museums | Museum institutions | 2 | 0% | 6 | 0% |
| Archives | Archive institutions | 3 | 200% | 0 | - |
| Visual arts | Public art galleries / exhibition halls | 0 | - | 11 | - |
| Performing arts | Scenic and stable spaces for theatre | 2 | 0% | 1 | 0% |
| Concert houses | 2 | 0% | 3 | 0% | |
| Theatre companies | 0 | 0% | 10 | 0% | |
| Dance and ballet companies | 1 | 0% | Nr* | - | |
| Symphonic orchestras | 1 | 0% | 0 | - | |
| Libraries | Libraries | 3 | 0% | 1 | 0% |
| Audiovisual | Cinemas | 1 | 0% | 0 | - |
| Broadcasting organisations | 1 | 0% | 3 | 0% | |
| Interdisciplinary | Socio-cultural centres / cultural houses | 1 | 100% | 0 | - |
Source: Department of Cultural Affairs
Last update: December, 2021
Please see chapter 1.2.5.
Last update: December, 2021
In order to promote Monegasque culture in other countries, the government makes use of the network of embassies and consulates to spread information on creative activity in Monaco.
In addition, the foreign tours of the cultural institute of Monaco such as the Monte-Carlo Ballets or the Philharmonic Orchestra contribute to the cultural influence of the Principality of Monaco.
Last update: December, 2021
Monaco has been a member of UNESCO since 1949 and is involved in a variety of actions undertaken by this international organisation and is a signatory to many of its conventions. The Principality was elected to UNESCO's Executive Board in 2009.
Since Monaco signed the cultural convention of the Council of Europe in 1994, the Principality has participated in cultural projects across Europe, such as the European Heritage Days (since 1996). The country then became member of the Council of Europe on October 5th 2004.
Last update: December, 2021
As a member state of the United Nations since 1993, the Principality of Monaco has forged links with most of the NGO, enabling it to extend the scope of its action despite its small size.
On the cultural level, Monaco joined the International Association of Art (UNESCO) in 1954, the International Theatre Institute (UNESCO) in 1965 and the International Music Council of UNESCO in 1977.