Czech Republic, Short Cultural Policy Profile

A new Short Cultural Policy Profile for the Czech Republic is now available on the Compendium website. The profile outlines the country’s shift toward a more accessible, resilient, and future-oriented cultural policy, shaped by recent legislative reforms, strategic planning, and responses to global challenges.

Special thanks go to our Czech expert Pavla Petrová for compiling and updating the profile!

Key developments in Czech cultural policy:

Strategic Frameworks
The State Cultural Policy 2021–2025+ and the forthcoming 2026–2030+ strategy redefine culture as a natural part of everyday life. Core priorities include accessibility for all citizens, sector professionalism, long-term planning, digital transformation, and preparedness for challenges such as AI and geopolitical shifts.

Legislative and Institutional Reform
Recent reforms strengthen governance and artist support. The 2025 Act on Public Cultural Institutions grants major cultural organizations greater autonomy and financial stability. An amendment introducing a national Register of Artists lays the groundwork for a future “Status of the Artist.”

Access, Inclusion, and Sector Development
Policy efforts target regional disparities, cultural participation, and strong links between culture and education through creative learning and media literacy. Improving working conditions, fair remuneration, safety standards, and career development in the cultural sector remains a central focus.

Digitalisation, Innovation, and Resilience
Significant NRRP investments support digitization, infrastructure renewal, skills development, and modernization. AI is addressed both as an opportunity for innovation and a potential risk requiring protective measures. Long-term sustainability beyond NRRP funding remains a key challenge.

International Cooperation
Czech international cultural engagement is reinforced through sector-specific promotion offices and major upcoming events, including Guest of Honour status at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2026 and České Budějovice as the European Capital of Culture 2028.

You can find all available Short Cultural Policy Profiles on the Compendium website.