The year was marked by the fight against the eviction action that hangs over the community, but 2011 turned out to be very productive for the Recreational and Cultural Association of Musicians (ARCM), based in Faro.
Despite the crisis, it was possible to invest in a nine-seater vehicle that allowed Algarve artists to travel to other parts of the country and even abroad, in addition to offering many hours of volunteer work.
The association took stock of the year in a note sent to the newsrooms, where the issue of eviction action and the efforts that are being made to find a definitive headquarters occupy a prominent place.
With regard to the eviction action, the ARCM recalls the 4340 subscriptions to the Petition “In defense of the ARCM” which, as early as January, “were handed over to the then President of the Assembly of the Republic (Petition No. 127/XI/2) and 7 more central and local entities with responsibilities in the areas of Culture and Youth».
This initiative opened the doors of the Assembly of the Republic to the ARCM, which throughout 2011 was in Parliament three times, «the last of which on October 21 to attend its plenary discussion, which resulted in recognition by the various parliamentary groups of the importance of the work developed by ARCM and the need to guarantee its continuity».
The association's continuity depends on finding a definitive solution for its headquarters. Currently, the ARCM is the target of an action to evict the space it occupies near the CP station, in Faro.
At issue is a dispute that has dragged on for a few years, with the new landlord, who intends to carry out a real estate project in the area. The association contested the eviction action, but is already looking for a definitive solution that will allow it to continue offering the same services it currently provides, including rehearsal rooms used by dozens of Algarve bands.
On the table is the construction of a new headquarters, on land given this year by the Chamber of Faro, "but this, if it happens, will require finding ways of funding, political will and mobilization of the community to materialize the idea", warned the ARCM.
In the field of volunteering and in the year in which selfless work for the common good was celebrated at European level, ARCM directors and partners contributed around 4800 hours of unpaid work.
The year that is about to end was also busy, at the level of events, with emphasis on «the “XXI Anniversary” party that brought together several musicians in defense of ARCM, the programming of “ABRIL, Dias de Música e Liberdade”, the “EmContraTeatro – ARCM Theater Meeting”, the “RiaFest – ARCM Summer Festival” and the “Stage Arts Course”».
«In 2011, ARCM exceeded the number of 500 members (2/3 are up to 35 years old), elected social bodies, reached 5000 friends on the social network Facebook, and created sections, including the Board Games Section, which in each monthly meeting it has been gathering more players», revealed the association.
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