Young people in five French departments are to be given a free “culture pass” app pre-loaded with 500 euros worth of credit each, to improve their access to cultural and artistic activities in their area. Young people aged 18 in the Bas-Rhin, Finistère, Hérault, Seine-Saint-Denis and French Guiana are currently eligible for the 500 euros voucher: around 12,600 young people in total. The new scheme is part of an election campaign promise by French President Emmanuel Macron to improve young people’s access to culture and the arts. The amount is delivered via a smartphone app, which uses geo-location to recommend suitable activities to users in their local area. It has been dubbed Tinder for the Arts, as it presents activities — such as a show or theatre production — in your local area, which you can then swipe one way to dismiss. Published in Daily Times, February 16th 2019.