The Lithuanian Council of Culture distributed three-year strategic funding – 21 organizations and 16 events will receive it | Culture

Almost 4.6 million have been allocated for next year’s activities. euros.

Growth rates in strategic funding tenders

A total of 65 applications were received for the three strategic funding competitions, most of which were submitted by organizations and events that participated in previous cycles. The dominance of experienced applicants is also reflected in the results – more than 70 percent of the 37 applications passed the strategic selection. – about 10 percent of program veterans. – applicants who dropped out in the previous cycle and have now passed the selection again, the rest or 6 applications – newcomers to strategic financing.

Dmitriy Matvejev’s photo/Lithuanian Dance Information Center, National Ballet Theater of Marseille and (LA)HORDE ROOMMATES program

“At the start of the third strategic funding cycle, it became clear that a large number of non-governmental organizations and international events continue to maintain strong positions and are difficult to overcome. We are very happy with the inclusion of newcomers, but we understand what a “hard landing” awaits those who just dropped out and did not pass the selection, who prepared a complex strategic application, which will now have to be broken down into parts and participate in regular competitions”, said Asta Pakarklytė, chairwoman of the Lithuanian Culture Council.

For the first time, strategic programs will finance the cultural complex “Sodas 2123” in Vilnius and the Kretinga Old Music Festival, the festivals “ConTempo” and “Audra” in Kaunas and its surroundings, the Lithuanian Jazz Federation and the Lithuanian Design Association. The financing of many of them, after passing the strategic selections, will increase not by percentage, but sometimes by comparison with previous years.

“The jumps in funding growth for newcomers and those returning to the strategic cycle after a break are very pronounced, the positions of almost half of the organizations and events that passed the selection have also been significantly strengthened, allocated 10-50%. more funds than last year. However, the Lithuanian Council of Culture can no longer catch up with the growth rates of some organizations, such as the MO Museum, the Lithuanian Dance Information Center or the “Art Printing House”, but can only ensure stable conditions”, commented A. Pakarklytė.

Performing arts and music organizations were the most active and strongest and submitted half of all applications. More than half of them are financed. Among them are “Operomania”, Sheik’s Dance Theater, “Teatron”, Pažaislis Music Festival, etc. The events space “Kintai Arts”, the Association of Lithuanian Game Developers, the contemporary art events “Baltic Triennial” and “Kaunas Biennale” received extremely positive evaluations from experts and council members of the Lithuanian Culture Council in different programs.

14 cultural and art organizations were financed with the funds of the “Strategic financing: cultural organizations” program. More than 2.5 million were distributed to them. euros. The experts of the Lithuanian Council of Culture said that the organizations will actively carry out educational activities, present performances, organize exhibitions and run residential programs. Although many of the funded organizations were already participants in strategic programs, it is expected that their activities will bring important qualitative changes in the cultural field of the country.

7 music, 2 performing arts and literature festivals, the contemporary art fair “ArtVilnius”, preparations for the “Kaunas Biennale” and “Baltic Triennial”, the artistic program of the “Audros” festival, the international folklore festival were financed with the funds of the “Strategic financing: international events” program. It sounds loud.” Almost 1.4 million was allocated for the implementation of international events. euros.

The experts of the Lithuanian Council of Culture said that events covering various cultural fields will be financed, ensuring a harmonious relationship between classical and progressive forms of artistic expression.

In addition to the already mentioned events, the literature festival “Children’s Book Island” awaits book readers in the capital, and “Poetic Druskininkai Autumn” for poetry fans. In Vilnius, listeners of contemporary music will be attracted by the “Gaida” festival, and “Kristupos festivalis” by world music. Jazz lovers will be invited by “Vilnius Mama Jazz”, “Vilnius Jazz” and “Kaunas Jazz”. The international arts festival “Plartforma” will present its program to the residents of Klaipėda and its district.

Programs “Strategic financing: associations, umbrella organizations” 7 organizations were financed with the funds. 629 thousand were distributed to them. euros. The experts of the Lithuanian Council of Culture stated that the activities of these organizations are characterized by versatility, genre diversity, reflecting different segments of creative industries.

They will implement local and international projects, represent Lithuania at various foreign fairs and conferences, develop a legal assistance program for designers, organize digital product training, etc.

The Lithuanian Council of Culture consists of chairman, musicologist Asta Pakarklytė, representative of national minorities Dainius Babilas, actress dr. Elzė Gudavičiūtė-Puskunigė, theater critic Vaidas Jauniškis, musicologist Jūratė Katinaitė, historian dr. Rimvydas Laužikas, sculptor and filmmaker Deimantas Virgilijus Narkevičius, architect Rolandas Palekas, literary scholar dr. Dainius Vaitiekūnas, cultural manager Rita Valiukonytė, ethnologist dr. Aušra Žičkienė.