“Escolíadas” is an interschool competition in which, per night/afternoon, 3 schools present on stage performances in theater, dance, music and painting.
Duration: 6 months (March to August)
Events: 16 shows and three exhibits
Schools participating: 30 schools ( public high schools; high school equivalent professional schools; private schools) from 18 municipalities e 3 districts (out of 19)
Total number of participants “on stage”: +/- 3000 students and professors
Audience: +10,000 (subject to the venues capacity)
This project aims to allow the students room to develop their artistic aptitude through non-formal education. Note that the Portuguese public school curricular program does not include any artistic/cultural programs.
“Escolíadas” is an interschool competition in which, per night/afternoon, 3 schools present on stage performances in theater, dance, music and painting. These performances are judged by professionals (theater, art and music teachers among others).
Given there is a large number of schools participating the competition is split in 3 groups (geographically). The 3 schools with the best scores within each of the 3 groups compete in a semi final and the winner of each of the semi finals earns a place in the final. The competition ensures 16 nights/afternoons of cultural displays done by young people who wouldn’t have an opportunity to develop these capabilities otherwise.
The organization ensures that the participants have access to one meal (lunch or dinner depending on the time of the show).
Given the above, and the number of participants that this event already attracts our aim is to expand the competition to other districts (in this case Viseu given it is the closest geographically). The event already attracts some schools from the Viseu district (the ones that are closer to Coimbra/Aveiro). This year we intend to increase the number of schools from this part of the country.
This event has taken place for the last 25 years and has grown each year. However, there is a constant need to find funds to tackle the expenses.
The Portuguese government slowed down the funding for cultural activities (the budget for the culture ministry is the lowest ever) and there is a growing tax pressure on private companies, which is complicating our efforts to find donations from other sources.
