The Senate approved the legal recognition of artist status with financial state support

Prague – People working in culture will likely be able to apply for artist status, which will come with financial state support. The Senate today approved a government amendment that sets the conditions for this status. It is intended to help primarily artists active outside of employment relationships. The proposal, which is set to take effect in July, will now be signed by President Petr Pavel. The Senate session concluded with the approval of the cultural support amendment. The upper chamber's meeting will continue on Thursday.

The support for artists is expected to cost the state approximately 126 million crowns per year and will affect up to 1,400 people. It will involve contributions for creative or educational purposes. According to the justification, the state would also cover costs for special grant programs announced, for example, during a state of emergency. The legal establishment of artist status has been discussed since the coronavirus crisis. Government measures to limit the spread of the virus significantly impacted artistic productions at that time.

"The fundamental principle of the proposal is the fact that the state should somehow express interest in artists who do not achieve sufficient financial income through their activities," the justification states. The proposal anticipates the creation of a registry that will be managed by the Ministry of Culture. A person who has been engaged in artistic activity for at least two years out of the last three years could apply for registration.

To receive the contribution, the applicant must not be a student and must not be in an employment relationship that exceeds half of the weekly working hours at the time of application. Additionally, their income from artistic activity over the last two years must constitute at least half of their total income, and it must not exceed the average wage. The application process will be accompanied by an administrative fee of one thousand crowns. The amendment introduces penalties of up to 20,000 crowns if an artist provides false or distorted information in the application and discusses the revocation of artist status.

According to the creators of the amendment, the status is intended to primarily help individuals who engage in artistic activity as so-called freelancers. According to the justification, they face a number of disadvantages and obstacles in performing their profession.