Moldova/ 5.2 Legislation on culture  

The Law on Culture (no. 413 - XIV of May 27 1999) sets out the constitutional principles governing culture. According to Article 19, cultural institutions can be set up and run by the state, municipalities, public associations, religious organisations, arts organisations, international organisations, foreign countries, legal entities and individuals, including foreigners.

Under section 21 of the Law ("Financing of Culture"), cultural institutions cover their costs from their own resources, from income generated by their activities, as well as from other sources and revenues, as permitted under the legislation in force.

The following laws establish the scope, operations, governing structure and general procedures for funding cultural specific sectors:

• Law on Monument Protection no. 1530 - XII of June 22, 1993;
• Law on Archives no. 880 - XII of January 22, 1992;
• Law on Libraries no. 286 - XIII of November 6, 1994;
• Law on Publishing no. 939 - IV of April 20, 2000; modified on August 17, 2001;
• Law on Theatres, Circus and Performing Art Organisations no 1421 - XV of October 31, 2002; modified on October 31 2003 and December 18 2003;
• Law on the Audiovisual Sector, no. 603 - XIII of October 3, 1995;
• Law on Museums no. 1596 - XV of December 12, 2002;
• Law on Architecture no. 1350 – XIV of February 27, 2001;
• Law on Cinematography no. 386 of November 25, 2004; and
• Law on Archaeological Heritage of 17 September 2010.

None of the laws listed above include definite mechanisms for concrete support and financing, this being a very significant and common gap between legislation and practice in the Republic of Moldova. Thus, actual legislation doesn't stimulate the act of creation, does not support artists and does not create equal and diverse possibilities to develop creativity and business in the arts sector.

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