President Vladimir Putin has ordered a broad reconfiguration of Russia’s Council for Culture and Arts, a body that advises the presidency on cultural policy and coordination across the arts. The changes were published on the official site that hosts legal regulations, with the decree outlining a refreshed composition and the new leadership structure. The move signals a deliberate push to align cultural initiatives with national priorities and to tighten oversight and cooperation among state institutions and cultural institutions alike.
Under the updated framework, the council gains a roster of well-known creators and industry executives. Director Nikita Mikhalkov remains a central figure in the council, representing the artistic leadership perspective. Konstantin Ernst, the general director of Channel One, is among the top members, while actor Konstantin Khabensky contributes experience from film and theatre. Yuliana Slashcheva, who heads Soyuzmultfilm, adds insight from animation and children’s programming. Writer Zakhar Prilepin and singer Ildar Abdrazakov join as voices from literature and performance. Vladimir Medinsky has been appointed secretary of the council, taking over from Vladimir Tolstoy, who left the post in May 2024, according to the decree and state reporting.
As part of the restructuring, several longtime members exited the council. Filmmaker Fyodor Bondarchuk and actor-director Alexander Kalyagin stepped away, along with Vladimir Urin, the former Bolshoi Theatre director. Their departures illustrate a reshaping of leadership dynamics within the advisory body and reflect a shift in how cultural policy projects and priorities are presented to the presidency.
Despite those departures, a number of established figures retained their seats, signaling continuity amid change. People’s Artist of the Russian Federation Nikolai Tsiskaridze remains on the council, as does Polina Gagarina, a renowned singer. Karen Shakhnazarov continues in his role as deputy chairman, anchoring a link between Russia’s enduring artistic tradition and the new organizational lineup. The blend of familiar faces with new appointments suggests a balance between preserving experience and inviting fresh perspectives to guide cultural strategy under the current administration.
Observers note that updates are still unfolding as the decree takes full effect in state practice. The refreshed council is expected to shape future guidelines for cultural funding, production oversight, and international cultural cooperation in the coming months, with additional appointments and reassessments likely as the administration sharpens its cultural policy priorities and implements the new structure in practice. News coverage and official announcements continue to track the evolving configuration and its potential impact on Russia’s artistic landscape.