The government’s approach to supporting artistic and creative workers in the Republic of Azerbaijan, as outlined by its cultural policy actors, is diversified and comprehensive at both the legislative and executive levels. General legislation, including social security, labour laws, and other relevant regulatory acts, build economic and social frameworks to support cultural and creative workers. Centralised and local state budgets support cultural creativity and artists in the country by providing the necessary conditions for maintaining cultural institutions, salaries, honoraria, and retirement and health benefits. The state supports creativity by involving artists in implementing state development strategies, programs, and projects and by supporting private projects and initiatives. Holding festivals and competitions in various cultural spheres for professionals (theatre, music, visual arts, etc.), sending delegations to international events, and providing free primary, secondary, and high special education should also be considered.
A very effective mechanism to directly support artists is the system of personal grants, awards, and scholarships implemented through decrees of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, such as On the establishment of personal pension of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan (No.715 of June 11, 2002), On the establishment of the prizes of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan for artists (No.707 of May 28, 2002), On honorary titles of the Republic of Azerbaijan (No.706 of May 22, 1998), On the State Care for Young Talents in Azerbaijan (No. 464 of June 22, 1996), On Special Scholarship Fund to Support the Creative Activities of Writers, Artists and Composers of the Older and Younger Generations (No.612 of August 6, 2007), as well as regular orders on awarding prominent figures of culture and art with high state awards comprising of medals, orders, honorary diplomas and state prizes.
Targeted support for particular culture and art forms is an approved approach to improving cultural financing; examples are the orders of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, such as those concerning the Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra named after Uzeyir Hajibeyli, the Azerbaijan State Choir Capella, the Ballet troupe of Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, the Azerbaijan State Dance Ensemble, the Azerbaijan State Chamber Orchestra named after Gara Garayev, the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, the Azerbaijan State Musical Comedy Theatre, etc.
The legislative basis of the state grant support system, including in the field of culture, is represented by the Law on Grants (No.483-IQ of April 17, 1998), which regulates the economic and legal relations related to the receipt and use of grants. The law defines grants as assistance to develop and implement humanitarian, social, and ecological projects in various fields, including education, health, culture, legal advice, information, publishing, sports, scientific research, and other related areas. Other programmes essential for the state and public may also receive grants. The Agency for State Support to Non-Governmental Organizations of the Republic of Azerbaijan supports non-governmental organisations, including cultural ones. It organises grant competitions and evaluates initiatives, programs, and projects per the Rules for Registration of Grant Agreements (Decisions) (No.216, June 5, 2015).
In addition, the Ministry of Culture also has the right to issue grants to NGOs by the List of organisations financed from the state budget of the Republic of Azerbaijan and capable of providing grants to legal entities and individuals of the Republic of Azerbaijan by their areas of activity (No.654 of October 21, 2015), in connection with which it holds annual grant competitions for NGOs in the field of culture.
Additionally, the state financially supports the creative unions of Azerbaijani composers, artists, writers, architects, ashiqs, cinematographers, and theatre workers through the Ministry of Culture.
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