FPU Responds to Criticism from Cultural Institutions

Bratislava, 23 March (TASR) - The Arts Support Fund (FPU) has stated it's not stripping culture of funding, but rather a long-term privileged system is being dismantled to establish a fairer distribution of support, FPU responded to a Monday press conference where more than 20 cultural organisations criticised the scrapping of valid contracts for multi-year projects. FPU stated that the previous model where several large recipients received multi-year grants without real competition was unsustainable as it distorted the sector, while many actors across Slovakia never had a realistic chance of accessing support from FPU. "Many of these entities also refer to themselves as 'centres of independent culture', which makes the contradiction between this label and the reality even greater, considering their operations have long relied on public funds," stated FPU Council chair Matus Olha. While FPU acknowledges the contribution of these actors, it stressed the need to support the development of the sector as a whole. Priorities are therefore shifting toward a broader range of applicants, support for children and youth, cultural infrastructure, as well as the creation of works benefiting the Slovak public directly. However, FPU noted that no amount of funding can satisfy all the needs in the sector and declined to comment on the legal steps announced by cultural institutions or their claims regarding the cancellation of valid contracts. Earlier on Monday, more than 20 cultural organisations and institutions called on FPU to respect valid contracts and sign amendments for 2026, otherwise they are prepared to pursue all legal avenues, including seeking damages and filing a motion with the prosecutor's office. On 18 March, the FPU Council adopted a decision to cancel so-called three-year contracts covering over 30 projects across Slovakia, including cultural centres, international festivals and magazines. jrg