Meeting with the Minister of Culture Lubomír Zaorálek

On Wednesday, April 7, 2021, a meeting of organizations associated with the Czech ITI Center with the Minister of Culture of the Czech Republic, Lubomír Zaorálek, took place. The professional community proposed 4 basic points that are priorities for the sector in these difficult times.

1) Plan for opening up culture and ITI's appeal to members of the government
The minister agreed that it is necessary to have a partner in the health sector for dialogue with the professional public, where, however, radical changes have just taken place. He is aware of the unsustainability of the situation and the need to quickly reach an agreement on the rules for opening up culture in the event of favorable developments. He welcomed practical comments on government measures regarding the conditions for exams and performing artistic performances, the inclusion of artistic education, the contribution of art to the recovery of society, an active lifestyle and the multiplier economic effects of cultural and creative industries.
The discussion also concerned compensation and support for the self-employed, which should be replaced as soon as possible by the plan for gradually opening up culture. One of the gestures by which the state could significantly help organizers of cultural events is, for example, a temporary reduction of VAT on tickets to zero.

2) State Cultural Policy and Strategy of Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI)
The settlement of numerous comments from the professional public and the finalization of the Measures Necessary for the Implementation of the Strategies are underway. The Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic will organize another public hearing before the interdepartmental comment procedure. The Ministry of Culture agreed with the necessity of discussing the materials with the opposition.

3) National Recovery Plan (NPO)
The Minister appreciated the close cooperation of the cultural sector, especially the initiative For a Creative Czech Republic, in which ITI representatives were involved. He believes that the NPO will be submitted to the European Commission by the end of April, after about 2 months, which are necessary for assessment, its implementation can then begin. This involves significant funds of about CZK 8 billion for investment and soft projects. In this context, the Ministry of Culture will necessarily need to strengthen its personnel for the entire implementation period. Continuity of discussion with the professional public will be important when formulating calls.
The Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic does not have any operational program under its responsibility, but it is important that it also has representatives in the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports, and the Ministry of Regional Development in preparing other calls, which should not neglect the area of ​​creative industries. A broad concept of culture, including both the non-commercial and commercial sectors, is perceived positively in terms of the development of the creative economy and a strong social and educational role. A separate department for creative industries was newly created at the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic, which immediately began evaluating the COVID Culture program.

4) State budget (SR) for 2022 and medium-term outlook for the sector
ITI representatives appealed for the need to maintain the level of funding for the performing arts at least at the level of 2020 and 2021 and not return to the state of deep underfunding of previous years. The vast majority of political parties have in their election programs an effort to allocate 1% of the SR for culture (excluding costs for churches), but no government has achieved this standard. The Minister is aware of how important the negotiations on finances for culture will be and will strive for an increase.

At the end of the constructive discussion, both parties stated that conducting such a dialogue is very beneficial, a number of specific issues have been clarified, and the cultural public is ready to continue to join forces to quickly reach an agreement with the health sector on a plan for opening culture and to start pilot projects as soon as possible so that analyses in the Czech Republic also prove that safe contact between spectators while adhering to all measures is not a risk. Even at the cost of using widespread regular testing, recording spectators and limiting capacities. Initially, open air projects and events for only dozens of people are essential for restoring the relationship between the viewer and the artist in all regions. Live art cannot be replaced in any online format and is part of a healthy lifestyle.

The Czech ITI Center was represented by: Yvona Kreuzmannová, Jakub Vedral, Marta Smolíková, Eva Kejkrtová Měřičková and Blanka Chládková.

Organization of the Czech ITI Center (International Theatre Institute): Association of Professional Theatres of the Czech Republic, Association of Independent Theatres of the Czech Republic, Association of Dance Artists of the Czech Republic, Association of Czech Theatre Critics, Cirqueon, Czech Organization of Set Designers, Theatre Architects and Technicians, Theatre Faculties of JAMU and DAMU, Actors' Association, Unity of Music Theatre, International Association of Theatres for Children and Youth, International Organization of Theatre Libraries and Museums, International Union of Puppeteers, Vision of Dance.