Lithuania/ 8.1 Support to artists and other creative workers  

8.1.1 Overview of strategies, programmes and direct or indirect forms of support

Some of the most important challenges to be addressed in the future are devising additional special measures for artists, creating overall better conditions for creativity, improving the dissemination of arts productions, and establishing legal norms and social security for artists.

The state accounts for the lion's share in financing of artists and their organisations. Indirectly, artists are supported through tax exemptions to their organisations, for creative activities and on works of art. Support from private sponsors and the third sector has not succeeded in providing sufficient additional income. The Lithuanian arts market is rather limited and underdeveloped, and there is an imbalance between the quantity of arts productions on the market and society's buying power. The economic and social position of the artist, especially of freelance professionals, has naturally deteriorated.

Among 35 programmes launched and financed by the Ministry of Culture, 16  programmes relate to the arts sector and are partially financed by the Ministry (e.g. professional theatre, support for young artists, dissemination of professional art in the regions, film production, support for art creators' associations, new music and drama production, international art events programmes, etc.: see: http://www.lrkm.lt/). For example, in 2003, the government approved the Programme of State Support to Young Artists. It defines the means which state, local authorities and public organisations provide support to young artists' activities and projects: debuts, internships, master classes, etc.

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