Planned changes to the Slovak Arts Council (FPU) have raised concerns about the future of cultural life in towns and cities across Slovakia. The Union of Slovak Towns says the reforms were prepared without professional discussion with municipalities or the cultural community, and could threaten theatres, museums, galleries, and independent cultural centres.
According to Daniela Piršelová, spokesperson for the Union of Towns and Municipalities, the Union disagrees with the announced approach of the Arts Council and the Ministry of Culture, who are preparing fundamental changes to the structure of the Arts Council’s support activities without consulting local governments or cultural experts.
She added this goes against the Act on the Arts Council, the government’s program declaration, and the Culture and Creative Industry Strategy 2030, which require participation and partnership in the development of public cultural policies.
Piršelová also stressed that the Union supports appeals from cultural platforms, including ‘Open Culture’ and ‘Antenna Network for Independent Culture,’ calling on the Ministry and the Arts Council to suspend the planned changes, open professional discussions with all stakeholders, and ensure the reforms strengthen cultural infrastructure nationwide.
The opposition Progressive Slovakia movement also criticised the reforms, saying they fail to fund regional libraries, galleries, and cultural centres. The chairman of the Arts Council, Matúš Oľha, defended the changes, assuring support for 2026 is included across all sectors and that the new rules aim to correct past distortions while supporting both emerging artists and projects with regional or national reach.
Source: TASR
