We continue to discover and get to know better the supporting organizations that decided to join the #CreaSusCommunity. Through this interview series, we aim to better understand who they are, what they do, and how they approach sustainability within their daily work and long-term strategies. Follow #CreaSusCommunity to learn more about the organisations that decided to embark with us on a journey towards sustainability.
The organisation we introduce this time is Teatro Real de Madrid, Spain’s leading public opera house and one of Europe’s foremost performing arts institutions. Combining artistic excellence with a strong public mission, Teatro Real produces high-quality opera and performing arts while developing educational, social, and outreach programmes. Operating through a mixed funding model that integrates public support, ticket sales, sponsorship, and patronage, the institution ensures long-term stability while maintaining artistic independence. By joining the CreaSus project, Teatro Real aims to further consolidate and share its strategic approach to sustainability, building on a comprehensive framework that integrates environmental responsibility, innovation, governance, and social commitment across its artistic programming, production processes, and institutional planning.
How would you describe the core business model of your organisation today, including how artistic creation, public mission, partnerships and economic sustainability are balanced within your overall strategy?
Teatro Real’s core business model is based on balancing artistic excellence, public service, strategic partnerships, and financial sustainability. It produces high-quality opera and performing arts while fulfilling its public mission through educational, social, and outreach programmes. The institution collaborates with public authorities, cultural organisations, and private sponsors to strengthen its impact and resources. Its economic sustainability relies on a mixed funding model that combines public support, ticket sales, sponsorship, and patronage. This balanced approach allows Teatro Real to maintain artistic independence, broaden access to culture, and ensure long-term stability.
Teatro Real has gained international recognition for its environmental commitment, from major improvements in energy performance to the integration of renewable energy solutions within a historic building. What role does sustainability play across the different dimensions of your organisation’s work, and how is it embedded in your long-term strategy rather than treated as a standalone initiative?
It is a continuous effort for improvement, led by the entire team and aimed at benefiting everyone.
Sustainability is a core element of Teatro Real’s organisational strategy and is integrated across artistic, operational, and institutional activities. Environmental responsibility guides decisions related to energy efficiency, resource management, and the use of renewable energy, while respecting the building’s historical value. Sustainable practices are also applied to production processes, logistics, and procurement. In parallel, the theatre promotes environmental awareness through programming, education, and partnerships. Rather than being treated as a separate initiative, sustainability is embedded in long-term planning, governance, and investment decisions, supporting both environmental goals and the institution’s economic and social responsibility.
From a strategic perspective, how do you see sustainability not only as an operational responsibility, but as part of the Teatro Real’s broader cultural, artistic and social mission, and how does this influence the way the institution plans its future?
From a strategic perspective, sustainability at Teatro Real is an essential part of its cultural, artistic, and social mission. In line with its three-year strategic sustainability plan, the institution works through sectoral sustainability committees to coordinate responsible practices across departments. This approach influences artistic programming, production methods, and long-term planning, ensuring innovation, social responsibility, and environmental awareness remain central to its future development.
Learn more about the Sustainability work carried out by Teatro Real here.
What motivated Teatro Real to join the CreaSus project, and how does this initiative align with your current priorities in the field of sustainability, innovation and cultural responsibility?
Teatro Real joined the CreaSus project to share and learn best sustainability practices with other cultural institutions. The initiative aligns with our priorities by promoting environmental responsibility, innovation in production and operations, and cultural engagement. It supports our ongoing efforts to integrate sustainability into artistic programming, social outreach, and long-term strategic planning, reinforcing our commitment to responsible and forward-looking cultural management.
Implementing ambitious sustainability measures in a protected historic venue like the Teatro Real involves technological innovation, cross sector collaboration and organisational change. Looking at your experience, what key lessons or good practices would you highlight for other cultural institutions?
Key lessons from Teatro Real’s experience include integrating sustainability into long-term strategy rather than treating it as a separate initiative, and ensuring all departments collaborate through sectoral sustainability committees. Technological innovation must respect the historic building while improving energy efficiency. Partnerships with public institutions, private sponsors, and experts are essential, as is staff engagement and training. Finally, combining environmental responsibility with artistic and social goals ensures sustainable practices enhance the institution’s overall mission.
Looking ahead, what outcomes and added value do you expect the CreaSus project to generate for Teatro Real, both at organisational level and in terms of your contribution to wider sector transformation?
Through the CreaSus project, Teatro Real expects to strengthen its internal sustainability practices, foster innovation, and enhance cross-departmental collaboration. At the organisational level, it will improve efficiency, environmental performance, and staff engagement. Beyond the institution, Teatro Real aims to share knowledge, inspire best practices, and contribute to a broader cultural sector transformation, promoting sustainability, social responsibility, and innovation across heritage and performing arts organisations.
