The Ministry of Culture is headed by Minister Oto Klempíř (representing Motoristé sobě).[1][2]
State Cultural Policy 2026–2029
In early October 2026, the Government of the Czech Republic approved the draft State Cultural Policy of the Czech Republic for the period 2026–2029. Klempíř stated that it rests on three pillars: the people who create and care for culture, cultural heritage, and the future.[1][2] According to the Ministry, the main directions include the protection and restoration of cultural heritage, fairer remuneration for cultural workers, the modernisation of museums, galleries and libraries, modern legislation, support for digitisation, research and the use of artificial intelligence in culture, strengthening cultural tourism, the competitiveness of Czech audiovisual production, and the export of Czech culture.[1] Implementation is to be ensured by a follow-up action plan, which is to be submitted to the government by 30 November 2026.[1]
Budget
According to the explanatory report, the ministry's budget chapter for 2027 is expected to amount to roughly CZK 19.3 billion, around CZK 1.66 billion more than in the approved 2026 budget. About CZK 7.5 billion is earmarked for the operation of budgetary and contributory organisations, CZK 1.25 billion for support of the performing arts, CZK 820 million for the rescue and restoration of cultural monuments, CZK 1.05 billion for the care of national cultural treasures and heritage, CZK 1.16 billion for the development and renewal of the material and technical base of state cultural institutions, and CZK 170 million for regional cultural infrastructure.[1]
Criticism of the Document
The document has been criticised by both the opposition and part of the cultural community. MP Andrea Hoffmannová (Czech Pirate Party) claims that it ignores expert opinion and that the new version denies the basic values of culture.[1] The Culture and Creative Industries Federation accuses the ministry of having launched a consultation process but failing to take its results into account, and together with other professional organisations it has sent an open letter to the government.[1][2]
Klempíř said that this is the first document of its kind to be drawn up at the beginning of the electoral term as a plan, rather than at its end as a list of tasks. He described claims of the ministry's incompetence as the work of interest groups.[2]
Timeline
- — On the proposal of Minister of Culture Oto Klempíř, the Government approved the State Cultural Policy for the period 2026–2029, which is criticised by both the opposition and part of the cultural community. → Czech News Agency / České noviny Novinky.cz
- — The Ministry of Culture announced a new selection procedure for the Director General of the National Gallery Prague; applications with concepts may be submitted until 5 November 2026. → Czech News Agency / České noviny Seznam Zprávy
Pages linking here
Sources
- ČTK / České noviny — 6 October 2026
- Novinky.cz — 6 October 2026