On 2 May 2013 the Government of the Czech Republic adopted the Methodology for Preparing Public Strategies, the purpose of which is to introduce a generally appropriate and applicable procedure for preparing strategic documents in Czech public administration.
The methodology was prepared as a response to the currently unsatisfactory process for preparing and approving public strategies in the CR. The methodology primarily describes the process for preparing strategies, from identifying the need to create a strategy to preparing one for implementation and approval. It describes individual steps and activities for creating a strategy document and defines the methods for managing the strategy development process and the role of individual actors.
The central body of state administration for the field of culture is the Ministry of Culture (MC). The scope of the MC is defined in Act No. 2/1969 Coll. on Establishing the Ministries and Other Central Administration Bodies of the CR. According to §8 of this Act, the MC is a central state administrative body for:
- art;
- cultural and educational activity;
- cultural monuments;
- matters relating to churches and religious societies;
- matters relating to the press, including publication of the non-periodical press and other information means;
- the preparation of draft laws and other legal regulations in the area of radio and television broadcasting;
- implementation of the Copyright Act; and
- production and trade in the area of culture.
The MC processes cultural policy, prepares drafts of acts and other legal provisions in the field of culture, and carries out tasks connected with the negotiation of international treaties, with the development of international relations and cooperation and other duties that the CR has in meeting its obligations under international treaties and membership in international organisations.
The MC supports the arts, cultural activities and the preservation of cultural heritage with grants and contributions from the “culture” division of the state budget of the CR. It establishes 30 state-managed organisations (which are founded, managed and supported by the state) and 1 public benefit organisation (an independent non-profit organisation, where the state or the city can be just a co-founder), in this case the International Music Festival Prague Spring.
There are two state funds operating at the state level: from January 2013 – the State Cinematography Fund (previously known as the State Fund of the Czech Republic for the Support and Development of Czech Cinematography and the State Cultural Fund of the Czech Republic. Both are founded on the basis of legislation. Administration of the State Cultural Fund falls under the authority of the MC, which is responsible for the financial management of the fund’s resources. The State Cinematography Fund is an independent institution, but the MC nonetheless retains influence over it by exercising certain functions such as appointing its director, members of the Supervisory Board, and experts.
The State Cinematography Fund is the only instrument of public financial support for independent cinematographic work in the Czech Republic. In conformity with Government Resolution No. 73 of 17 January 1996 it is also the agency responsible for the administration of requests for co-production status in conformity with the European Convention on Cinematographic Co-production.
The Fund has new name and also new status under the Act No. 496/2012 Coll., on Audio-Visual Works and Support for Cinematography and on the Amendment of Certain Legislation (Audio-Visual Acts) since January 2013. The final status will be approved by the Government of the CR (see chapter 2.9 and chapter 4.2.6)
The State Cultural Fund of the CR should support the creation, realisation and promotion of works of artistic value, editorial activities in the area of non-periodical and periodical publications, the acquisition, restoration and preservation of cultural monuments and collection works, exhibition and lecturing activities, the promotion of Czech culture abroad, the organisation of cultural festivals, exhibitions and similar cultural activities, and cultural projects of ethnic minorities in the CR etc. From 2006 to 2011 the Fund was unable to perform its function as it did not have an elected board. The board was only elected in December 2011, as an amendment to Act No. 483/1991 Coll. on Czech Television made it possible to establish a permanent supply of financial resources in the form of revenue from advertising on the public television station ČT2.
Culture also figures at the state level in the concept materials of other ministries, mainly the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other bodies of state administration.
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