BNDES opens call for proposals to select 160 free musical performances in Rio.
The call for entries includes artists from various genres and categories, with fees ranging from R$ 18 to R$ 60 for performances at the Banco Cultural Space.
247 - The National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) opened, on Monday (23), the selection notice for the 2026-2027 season of the BNDES Cultural Space, located at the institution's headquarters in downtown Rio de Janeiro.
The initiative includes at least 160 free musical performances, which will make up the programming of the "Thursdays at BNDES" and "Instrumental Fridays" series. The selected artists will perform at the bank's theater, and a reserve list will be created for future invitations. Registration is available via an online form on the institution's website.
Categories and values defined in the call for proposals - Those interested can submit their projects in three categories: Renowned, Featured, or New Talents. In addition, they must fit into one of the following genres: Classical Music, Popular/Instrumental Music, or Popular/Sung Music. Applicants must also indicate their expected fee range, which varies between R$ 18 and R$ 60, depending on the size of the performance and the number of performers on stage.
According to the president of BNDES, Aloizio Mercadante, the action reaffirms the strategic role of culture for national development. “BNDES believes in supporting culture as a source of national development. The shows at the BNDES Cultural Space are an important initiative to value Brazilian artists, whom we welcome into our institution, and the public itself, which can participate in high-quality shows free of charge,” he emphasized.
Criteria for artistic evaluation and tradition of the series - The judging of the projects will be based on artistic quality, including criteria such as the concept of the show, repertoire, performance, the artist's or group's trajectory, and the potential for communication with the public.
48 shows will be contracted in the Renowned and Featured categories, and 64 in the New Talents category. The bank may also call upon artists from the waiting list if resources are available and there is a need to complete the performance schedule.
Created in 1993, the "Quintas no BNDES" series has already established itself as one of the main regular cultural events in Rio de Janeiro. In 2014, the "Sextas Instrumentais" series was launched, focusing especially on instrumental and classical music, expanding the scope and diversity of the project.
