Government outlined a support package for culture, art, physical activity and the event production industry

The Government outlined a support package for culture, art, physical activity and the event production industry. The package will help culture, art, physical activity and the event production industry recover from the pandemic. The aim is to support content producers and create conditions for organisers to generate work in the sector and provide people with opportunities to participate in events when society will open up. The overall package amounts to EUR 230.86 million and will be included in the second supplementary budget proposal. The supplementary budget proposal will be submitted to Parliament on 29 April.

The Government wants to help culture, art, physical activity and the event production industry recover from the pandemic as part of the reconstruction of the whole of society and people’s recovery. This additional appropriation will support actors in these sectors and ensure that activities can continue. In particular, the financial package takes into account the plurality of the sector and the different forms of work, such as gig workers, self-employed workers, sole entrepreneurs, freelancers and those operating under company names. Altogether EUR 127.36 million of the resources will be allocated to culture and art, EUR 18.5 million to physical activity and EUR 85 million to the event production industry. 

Culture and art together comprises grants and of subsidies awarded to those operating in the cultural industry. The appropriations will be allocated widely to various fields of art and culture. Around half, EUR 64.8 million, would be allocated in the form of grants to professionals in the industry and as subsidies to sole entrepreneurs and those operating under company names. The funds would be distributed by the Arts Promotion Centre (Taike). 

The Ministry of Education and Culture would allocate a total of EUR 15 million to independent corporations in different fields of arts, EUR 20 million to national art institutions and theatres, orchestras and museums that are granted central government transfers, and EUR 10.5 million to operators of limited companies with a turnover of less that EUR 150,000 that organise cultural events and festivals, summer theatres and religious summer services organised as non-profit activities.

A total of EUR 3.5 million would be allocated to cultural heritage actors and club houses, EUR 4 million to providers of basic education in the arts that are not eligible for central government transfers, and EUR 1.5 million to agencies in the field. Grants for small and medium-sized cinemas would be allocated EUR 8 million, which would be distributed by the Finnish Film Foundation.

An appropriation of EUR 18.5 million is proposed for physical activity and sport. Altogether EUR 9 million of the appropriation would be allocated to sports clubs, EUR 6 million to national and regional physical activity and sports organisations and EUR 3.5 million to events that have had to be cancelled or have suffered losses as well as to future events.  

Altogether EUR 85 million will be reserved for an event guarantee. The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment is currently preparing a government proposal for an event guarantee. Event organisers and their subcontractors could apply for an event guarantee from the State Treasury. The guarantee would be an advance payment commitment given to event organisers for the costs the organisers declare. If an event were to be cancelled or its size restricted by law or by orders of an authority, compensation would be paid for 85% of the actual costs incurred. The guarantee would apply to events cancelled between 1 June and 31 December 2021.

Inquiries: 
Riitta Kaivosoja, Director General, tel. +358 295 330 115, Ministry of Education and Culture
Esko Ranto, Director General, Ministry of Education and Culture, tel. +358 295 330 115, Ministry of Education and Culture
Mikko Huuskonen, Senior Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 295 063 732, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment