Czech Republic launches support grants for cultural projects hit by COVID pandemic

The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MPO) in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture (MK) has launched a special grant program called COVID – Culture (COVID – Kultura). People interested in getting support from the program can submit applications electronically starting August 18, 2020.

“As with the COVID – Rent program, we designed the call from the outset to provide online support quickly, on the basis of clear rules and without unnecessary bureaucracy. We have prepared 900 million CZK,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade Karel Havlíček (for ANO) said.

“Applications can be submitted online from August 18 to September 18, 2020, while support provided by the Ministry of Industry and Trade can cover up to 50% of eligible expenses for moved or canceled cultural events. The applicant can receive a maximum of 5 million CZK,” he added.

Eligible expenses are those that have been spent in vain and cannot be used for another or deferred action.

“I am glad that after weeks of preparations and debates with representatives of summer festivals, private theaters, musicians and many others, we can finally present the specific parameters for government assistance to those cultural entities that normally live on profit and do not receive state subsidies, because the coronavirus epidemic has brought big losses,” Culture Minister Lubomír Zaorálek (ČSSD) said.

The COVID – Culture program is in the process of obtaining the consent from the European Commission. The support will be provided after the EC decision approving the measure.

Eligible applicants include business entities whose main activity is organizing or providing musical, musically dramatic, dance and theater projects, the primary objective of which is to provide cultural services to the public in the field of performing arts.

Applicants can be individual artists; business entities; film festival organizers; music festival organizers; organizers of art, theater or dance festivals and shows; music clubs where the operation of a music program is their main activity; technical companies and business entities providing events within the cultural service to the public); artistic ensembles, musical ensembles or orchestras; circus and new circus organizers; artistic management agencies that are the main organizers of a cultural event; galleries and museums; and theaters.

There are other qualifications including that the applicant must be a registered tax entity and must not be in bankruptcy. The losses must be directly related to the coronavirus pandemic.

Applicants will have to provide copies of contracts, sworn affidavits and other documentation to apply for the grant.