The status of the arts in today’s European society is marked by the legacy of individualistic capitalism in Western Europe and soviet paradigm in Central and Eastern Europe. In the latter context, the arts were – and in many countries are still – nationalised, meaning that public cultural organisations are fully funded by the governments, and the artists they employ are public servants. In the meantime, private initiative in the field of arts and culture is doomed to struggle for its mere survival, sponsorship being modest and rather discouraged by public cultural organisations and government alike.
Many emerging artists are rejected by mainstream public institutions because of their politically and socially engaged work.
A real change cannot be attained without modifying the funding mechanisms for public and private theatres alike, based on open competition and matching funds. But how to create enabling environments for effective local and national initiatives? How to remain independent and benefit from public funds? How state institution can support the development of an independent field? How can one encourage cooperation between civil society organisations, the public sector and the private for-profit sector in the field of culture?