concept for more efficient support of the arts in 2007–2013 - Divadlo.cz

– Support for traditional folk culture
The programme has been open since 2001 and supports activities aimed at identifying, recording
and presenting elements of traditional folk culture. Support is granted in two categories:
– For legal and physical persons organising projects designed to protect various fields of
traditional folk culture
– For regional professional institutions engaged in the preservation of traditional folk culture,
whose competence is derived from the regional authorities in conformity with the
Concept for the More Effective Conservation of Traditional Folk Culture, approved in
Resolution No. 571 of the Government of the Czech Republic dated 11 th June 2003
– Support for the development of foreign ties in the sphere of non-professional artistic activities
This grant programme has been open since 2001 just to civic associations and for activities
in the following five areas:
– all forms of amateur theatre, including children’s theatre
– all forms of dance, with the exception of folk dance
– woodwind, symphonic and chamber orchestras
– children’s and adult folk ensembles
– children’s and adult choirs
Support is intended only for artistic groups and ensembles that have demonstrated a high
standard of proficiency at national arts showcases, festivals or competitions and that travel to selected
prestigious events outside the Czech Republic. Exchange and commercial tours to events
of only local significance are not supported. The programme invites applications from physical
and legal subjects, each for only one project. Projects are evaluated by an independent committee
(one for each area of support), in which the relevant Czech branches of international nongovernmental
organisations are represented. Groups or ensembles that are selected for support
receive a contribution that covers no more than 70% of the costs connected with its transportation
abroad. Individuals are sent abroad by NIPOS, on the authority of the MC. In conformity with
the Budgetary Rules it supports the travels of teachers, jury members, seminar participants, and
delegates to meetings of bodies of international non-governmental organisations. It covers only
the costs of transportation, as the total volume of targeted funds in the programme’s budget are
limited (250 000 Czk annually). The Czech branches of international non-governmental organisations
and expert councils of institutions are consulted on the programme. Up until 2000
NIPOS also supported the travel of groups/ensembles in the same manner and with the same
volume of funds.
Other Means of Support
Awards in the Field of Professional Arts
State Prize for Literature
State Prize for a Work of Translation
The state prizes have been awarded annually since 1995, following on a tradition that was established
during the First Republic (they were founded in 1920). The prizes are awarded to the
best original Czech literary work and the best literary translation from a foreign language into
Czech. The state prize can also be awarded for the best body of literary work and for work in
the field of the translation of literary works.
Prize for the Most Beautiful Czech Book of the Year
The prize has been awarded annually since 1964 to a non-periodical publication, not previously
published in its given graphic and artistic form, and evaluated as a technical product and functional
object.
Artis Bohemiae Amicis Medal
The medal has been awarded by the Minister of Culture since 2000 for spreading the good
name of Czech culture not only in the creative and interpretative spheres but also in the area of
promotion and presentation abroad.
Prizes awarded by the Ministry of Culture for Achievement in the Fields of Theatre,
Music, the Visual Arts, and Architecture
The MC has been awarding these prizes annually since 2003 for outstanding creative or interpretative
work or for long-term artistic merit in the fields of theatre, music, visual arts, and architecture.
They can be awarded to physical or legal subjects. Any citizen of the Czech Republic
over the age of 15, artistic group or artistic institution is eligible for the award.
The Ministry of Culture Prize for Artistic Activities
is awarded in the fields of :
theatre and literature,
traditional folk culture and folklore,
music,
audiovisual arts and visual arts,
dance,
children’s artistic activities.
In conformity with Government Decree No. 5/2003 Coll., on Awards Given by the Ministry
of Culture, these prizes have been awarded since 2003 for lifetime contribution to the advancement
of the given field or for outstanding artistic work. Any citizen of the Czech Republic over
the age of 15 is eligible for the award. Nominations can be made by physical or legal subjects,
and in each sphere candidates are assessed by an independent committee. One winner is selected
annually in each sphere.
Award of the Tradition of Folk Arts and Crafts
This project was launched in 2000 with the aim of supporting the preservation of traditional arts
and crafts technology, and the documentation and transmission of those skills and knowledge
to pupils in these fields. This award is a Czech version of the UNESCO project Living Human
Treasures. Since 2001 it has been awarded each year to five artists on the occasion of the National
Launch of the European Heritage Days. Nominees are evaluated by an independent committee.
Co-Organized Activities
Until 2003 the MC was the co-organiser of a number of selected activities, including, for example,
projects in the fields of:
– music: Prague Spring International Music Festival, International Music Festival Brno, International
Music Festival Janáãek’s “Máj”, International Opera Festival Smetana’s “Litomy‰l”,
Classic Prize, Festival Alternativa, etc.
– theatre and dance: International Festival Theatre, Theatre of European Regions (Hradec
Králové), Matefiinka (Liberec), Tanec Praha dance festival, Skupa Pilsen, A. Radok
Award, Festival of Music Theatre, International Theatre Festival “Na hranici”, etc.
– visual arts and architecture: exhibitions of the work of finalists in the Jindfiich Chalupeck˘
Prize, Grand Prix of the Community of Architects, Art Studios of âesk˘ Krumlov and
âimelice
– literature: Prize for the Most Beautiful Czech Book of the Year (Museum of Czech Literature)
and the Bohemian Seminar (Society of Czech Writers)
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