Cultural Heritage and Contemporary Arts

Programme Summary

Why is the programme needed? The government of the Czech Republic recognises the country’s cultural potential as an important factor for the development of society as a whole. It also sees culture and related cultural goods and services as cultural capital providing economic potential which has not yet been fully tapped into. Support is needed for the conservation of cultural heritage buildings and collections, for people’s access to this heritage and for new developments showcasing the diversity of culture and arts.  What will the programme achieve? The Programme for the conservation of cultural heritage and the promotion of diversity in culture and arts provides support to give cultural heritage in the Czech Republic a new lease of life, it stimulates new developments in arts and culture and by doing so it contributes to economic development, to bilateral cooperation and the sharing of know-how, to greater mutual understanding and social cohesion.  How will it be achieved? The Programme achieves its aims by: •    Providing support to restore and optimise the use of at least 12 buildings showcasing important cultural collections; •    Giving grants to digitalise at least 13 important cultural (written and cinematographic) heritage collections; •    Providing support for at least 19 projects in the field of contemporary art and culture reaching a broader audience and contributing to social inclusion (for example through a better understanding and integration of minorities and disadvantaged groups); •    Supporting 2 pre-defined projects focussing on the digital restoration of important Czech film heritage and on increasing awareness about industrial heritage; •    Giving support for bilateral cooperation between cultural players from the Czech Republic and the Donor States and providing support for complementary actions.  How will bilateral relations be strengthened? Bilateral relations are strengthened through support for activities aimed at stimulating the sharing of experience and best practices and accelerated learning between cultural players from the Czech Republic and the Donor States, for example through support for partner search, the development of partner projects and networking.  Within the Small Grants Scheme there is the possibility of active involvement of cultural players from the Donor States in projects. Furthermore the Arts Council Norway is involved in the development and implementation of this Scheme for contemporary art. Within pre-defined projects there is involvement of the Directorate for Cultural Heritage Norway and the National Library of Norway.  What are the partnership opportunities? At project level all projects are encouraged to include partners from Donor States. The Bilateral Fund will provide funding for partner search and exchanges. There are open calls for the bilateral fund for grants ranging between €2,000 and €30,000 for the preparation of bilateral projects. Grants for networking, exchange and the sharing of experience range between €2,000 and €20,000. The Small Grants Scheme opens opportunities for active involvement of donor partners within projects in the field of contemporary arts and culture. Open calls will be published for this Scheme with grants ranging between €10,000 and €160,000.Who can apply for funding under this programme? For Programme Area 16 applications are open for: institutions funded by the state, territorial units of self-administration, church legal entities, municipalities and legal entities administrating cultural heritage. For Programme Area 17 applications are open for legal entities ensuring cultural services, activities and goods in the area of professional theatre, visual, music and film art, such as bodies at a national level, at regional and local level (cultural and arts organisations founded by the bodies of self-administration) and non-governmental cultural and art entities, non-profit organisations and companies including individuals who have been achieving extraordinary results of their artistic efforts on a long-term basis, or activities that significantly support high-quality creation.