Minister of Culture Martin Baxa (ODS) at a press conference on the draft law on public cultural institutions, May 18, 2023, Prague.
Prague – The Ministry of Culture has prepared a draft law on public cultural institutions, which should enable their multi-year planning and multi-source financing. The law should help cultural institutions, among other things, in more flexible management. The aim of the standard is greater stability of cultural institutions. In the middle of this year, its proposal will be submitted to the government for a comment procedure, it should take effect on July 1, 2024. Culture Minister Martin Baxa (ODS) informed journalists about it today.
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“The law on public institutions in culture has been discussed in our country for many years, and despite the fact that several governments have promised it in the past, it has not yet been adopted. At the same time, it is an important legal norm that would simplify many things for cultural institutions and help them in their further development. It will increase their autonomy in the field of long-term planning. Multi-source funding will especially benefit cultural institutions in the regions, for example the city theater could also be significantly supported by the region. However, none of the cultural institutions will be forced into new legal personality, everything will be on a voluntary basis,” said Minister of Culture Baxa .
The Act on Public Cultural Institutions should introduce a new type of legal entity for the provision of public cultural services. It anchors a public cultural institution as a special type of institution representing an alternative to existing contribution organizations.
It can be established by the state, region or municipality. The transformation of existing contributory organizations into public cultural institutions will be voluntary on the part of the founders. The legal form of subsidized organizations, which the state must take care of by law, is also expected to continue. The highest body of the public cultural institution will be the board of directors appointed by the founder, the statutory body will be the director elected by the board of directors, and the control body will be the supervisory board also appointed by the founder.
The ministry prepared the bill using the evaluation and documents of the Association of Professional Theaters. It collaborated on it with the Ministry of Finance and with representatives of the professional public. The need for a law is also anchored in the government's program statement.
