A recent evaluation of France's Pass Culture program, which gives young people funding to engage with cultural activities, shows that although the program has grown financially, it has had limited success in boosting attendance at live performances. Launched to make culture more accessible to all, the program's annual funding has risen from 92 million euros in 2021 to 244 million euros today. Including related school projects, the total yearly cost now reaches up to 324 million euros. This growth has made the program’s managing organization, an SAS (société par actions simplifiée, or simplified joint-stock company), the second-largest recipient of funds from the Ministry of Culture, behind only the National Library of France. Despite the large investment, the program’s ability to encourage young people to take part in less common or more complex cultural experiences, such as live performances, remains unclear. According to the Court of Audit, only 7% of users have used their pass to buy tickets for live events. Books are still the main expense, making up between 42 and 55% of quarterly spending. There has been a noticeable shift in what is being purchased, with fewer young people buying manga and more opting for a wider range of literature, including children’s books, poetry, and plays. Manga’s share of book purchases has dropped from 40% in 2021 to 20% in 2024. Cinema and recorded music also account for significant portions of spending, with cinema taking up 21% and recorded music 23%. These areas benefit from existing habits that don’t require special arrangements or travel. In contrast, live performances like theater, dance, and concerts have struggled to attract audiences, even with the substantial financial support. The Court of Audit points to several reasons for this, including a lack of awareness about local events, the perception of venues as exclusive, and a lack of early exposure to live culture that might make it feel more natural or appealing. The audit also noted that over 16 million euros have been spent on board games, a category not originally included in the program’s scope. Some of the funds have even gone toward escape games. Minister of Culture Rachida Dati acknowledged that while the Pass Culture has succeeded in increasing cultural engagement in areas like reading and music, it has not fully achieved the goal of making all cultural experiences equally accessible. The program has expanded what young people consume culturally, but it has not yet changed the perception that some forms of culture, like live performances, are more intimidating or difficult to access. Whether the program can shift this trend in the future remains uncertain.