Financing of Czech culture

Throughout Czech history theatre played a pivotal role in the formation of Czech language and culture. Theatre embodies much of what makes Czech culture unique in Europe, but also ties Czech Republic together with its neighbours who share a similar cultural heritage. This thesis first analyses the development of the institutional and legislative framework of theatre and its financing. In following chapters this thesis offers an overview of the different legal forms of theatres, both profit and non-profit. Specific situation of the theatres still owned by state is examined in detail, explaining and illustrating many of the difficulties and obstacles caused by this form of legal existence. The process of transformation of allowance organizations is then described and evaluated using examples of selected transformed theatres. As a connected issue, the perceived difference between profit oriented and non-profit theatres is examined, which leads to exploration of the relationship between the cultural economic policies and the social importance of culture. In this context, the system of financing of theatres is then explained, detailing both tax legislature and the funding of theatre from public sources. In the closing segment, some ideas for improving the current system of funding are offered for..