Colombia’s Congress has approved a law making it far easier and cheaper for artists to perform in the country.
The bill cuts income tax for artists from 33% to 8%, with the hope of encouraging more foreign performers to visit Colombia.
It also radically cuts the number of steps required to get permission to perform on stage, from 24 to four. These stages include creating an emergency plan for the prevention and mitigation of risks, and compliance with sanitary and environmental conditions.
There will be a new provision that anyone who has already received approval to perform will not have to apply again for two years.
The entire application process will be possible through one new office, the Register of Public Show Businesses.
Artists will be required to give 10% of their box office earnings to the Ministry of Culture, which will be invested in the infrastructure of the arts.
