Culture includes people, so first of all it is necessary to ensure that they have the comfort of creative work. I asked the chairman of the Sejm to move forward with the draft law on the status of a professional artist as soon as possible, Dominika Chorosińska, Minister of Culture and National Heritage, told PAP.
On November 27, President Andrzej Duda was sworn into the government of Mateusz Morawiecki, who will give a speech in the Sejm the day after tomorrow and hold a vote of confidence in his cabinet. Dominika Chorosińska became Minister of Culture and National Heritage in Morawiecki’s government and chairman of the Public Benefit Committee.
I consider accepting the position of Minister of Culture and National Heritage a great challenge, but at the same time an opportunity to take action for people of culture and for people’s access to culture.
– she emphasized.
““A dramatic situation”
Chorosińska, an actress by profession, recalled that she has been “connected to the cultural environment and knows its needs and expectations” for more than twenty years.
For me, culture is, among other things, the people who create it. I believe that first and foremost we should ensure that they feel comfortable in their creative work. There is still much to be done in this area. Most people look at artists through the prism of celebrity, but these are exceptions. Research by the independent SWPS University into the population of Polish artists shows that the population is currently estimated at around 65,000. social group about 60 percent have a turnover below the national average, and about 30 percent – below the minimum wage
– pointed to the head of the Ministry of Culture.
She pointed out that “some artists don’t have insurance at all.”
Although the Polish government has allocated more than 5 billion złoty to save the cultural sector from the consequences of the pandemic, the situation of many artists has become dramatic. Furthermore, the pandemic has only highlighted a problem that has plagued the environment for years
– she assessed.
The Minister of Culture emphasized that “artists are people who make a huge intangible contribution to Polish culture.”
But the specificity of the artist’s profession is related, among other things: with irregular income, periods of creative work during which no income is earned. Many of them cannot even afford the insurance or health premiums and are left out of the system. Therefore, the priority now is to guarantee access to basic services. For this reason, a draft law on the status of a professional artist was drawn up to meet these needs. After being adopted by the Council of Ministers, it is already in the Sejm and awaiting processing. I have asked the Chairman of the Sejm to proceed with this bill as quickly as possible. So that these solutions, which are important for the entire environment, can come into effect as soon as possible
– said Chorosińska.
She added that accessibility is another important issue in culture for her.
I am working with a team from the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage on a culture voucher for young people. Each young person will be able to allocate a specific amount for a cultural event, book, concert, etc. This will achieve two goals: co-financing culture and getting to know the tastes of the young generation.
– she pointed.
She emphasized that “culture does not exist separately from society.”
Someone creates it, someone accepts it. Cultural policy must recognize the contribution of creators to strengthening our identity, but also provide Poles with universal access to cultural goods. I also believe that culture should connect not only people, but also the old world with the new. Therefore, it is highly recommended to invest in the development and implementation of modern technologies in a widely understood culture
– said the head of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage.
Changes for the artistic community
The government’s bill on professional artists was submitted to the Sejm on November 27. The government wants to include artists in the general pension, disability and health insurance system and provide them with a support mechanism in paying premiums.
The draft indicates that the new regulations define the category of professional artists and their activities.
The proposed regulation defines a new legal category – a professional artist – to whom rights are granted regardless of whether a particular person is entitled under copyright to the rights of the creator or to neighboring rights in the executed artwork (work).
– we are reading.
The project further includes: establishment of the Polish Chamber of Artists, which is in particular responsible for assessing matters related to confirming or updating the qualifications of a professional artist, providing subsidies to professional artists for social security – and health insurance contributions and social support.
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Source: wPolityce
Emma Matthew is a political analyst for “Social Bites”. With a keen understanding of the inner workings of government and a passion for politics, she provides insightful and informative coverage of the latest political developments.