France’s live performance sector is facing its most severe crisis in history, according to a statement signed by over 600 elected officials, including former ministers and local representatives. The Syndicat national des entreprises artistiques et culturelles (Syndeac), a key employer organization in the public sector, has called for a national consultation on how to fund live performances. This request comes after a difficult summer for the sector, which had protested during the Avignon Festival against a proposed freeze on subsidies for 28 cultural institutions. The government eventually reversed its decision, but concerns about funding remain. The Syndeac’s statement, signed by former culture ministers like Aurélie Filippetti and Françoise Nyssen, as well as local officials and parliamentarians, emphasizes the need for a broad national discussion involving the government, cultural ministries, local authorities, and professionals in the field. The consultation aims to secure sustainable funding for the arts, ensure government commitment, and provide local authorities with the resources needed to fulfill their cultural responsibilities. The sector is particularly worried about potential budget cuts in 2027, as Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has announced plans to cut 54 billion euros from the national budget. Minister of Culture Catherine Pégard recently warned that funding for individual projects would decrease, stressing the need to protect vulnerable institutions. Joris Mathieu, co-president of Syndeac, emphasized the need to move beyond a budget-focused approach to cultural policy. In response, the CGT Spectacle, a major union in the cultural sector, has called for demonstrations and strikes to defend jobs in culture, media, and audiovisual. A protest is scheduled for Wednesday in front of the Ministry of Culture, and a strike is planned for September 29. The union claims that budget cuts by both the central government and local authorities have led to fewer performances, fewer contracts, and worsening working conditions. They expect the 2027 budget to be "catastrophic" again. Syndeac has endorsed the strike and urged its members to support the mobilization.