In January 2021, as the third wave of coronavirus surged and the vaccine was still just a glimmer in a scientist’s eye, the European Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen, unveiled the New European Bauhaus initiative. This ambitious, optimistic project aimed to promote fresh design solutions fit for a post- Covid, environmentally friendly future. “Culture and the creative sectors are the soul of Europe,” commissioner Mariya Gabriel, who spearheaded the project, says when asked about the timing of the launch. “They contribute to raising awareness of global challenges, enhance community cohesion and civic engagement, and promote European values. The launch couldn’t have come at a better moment.”

Beyond the “soul of Europe”, however, is the fact that 4.5 per cent of EU GDP is generated by the cultural sector and it employs, directly or indirectly, more than eight million Europeans. “The arts have an extraordinary potential for the development of our regions, providing quality jobs,” sh...