In 2010, the culture Ministry budget provided for subsidies to support Artists’ Unions that equal 40 million RUB, the rate of which is calculated based on profit taxes paid by their productive units (workshops or enterprises).
There are about 70 000 members of professional Artists’ Unions (all of them having regional branches), which also provide relevant forms of support. Their main tasks are to join professionals and to lobby for professional interests, to promote arts and to support the younger and older members. These unions receive state funding via the Ministry of Culture and manage prestigious competitions, festivals and artistic events. The leaders can be involved in the organisation of public festivities and highly remunerative political campaigns, as well as in the presentation of awards for professional activities. For example, the Culture Ministry budget of 2010 includes 150 million RUB for development of theatre arts that are directed to the pertinent union.
Comments are closed.