Coronavirus (COVID-19): first measures from the Ministry of Culture to support cultural sector
The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania, in cooperation with the Government and other responsible bodies, makes every effort to minimize the impact of the coronavirus on culture and creative professionals working in the sector.
Artists Social Security
To mitigate the effects of coronavirus, it is planned to expand the Artists Social Security Programme, to provide and pay creative downtime for artists who are unable to generate income from their activities due to an emergency, and to allocate additional funding for this purpose. The Programme is currently under implementation.
Emergency Relief for Culture and Arts Organizations and Artists
The Lithuanian Council for Culture (LKT), main funding body for culture and arts projects, informs that the spread of coronavirus and related circumstances that have influenced the operational plans of institutions, organizations, as well as recipients of individual and educational scholarships, may be treated as a force majeure factor, and may result in review of contractual obligations. This means that the LKT will not request reimbursement of funds already used to carry out activities that have been cancelled or changed due to circumstances related to the spread of coronavirus.
The Lithuanian Film Centre (LKC), main funding body for film sector, informs that any issues related to the spread of coronavirus and impact on the projects funded by the LKC, will be addressed individually in communication with the curators of the projects, treating coronavirus as a force majeure factor.
Lithuanian Government put in place the Economic Stimulus and Coronavirus Mitigation Action Plan that provides necessary resources for the efficient operation of health and public security systems, for jobs and personal income protection, including extension of the provisions of the Artists Social Security Programme and allocation of additional funds, as well as allocation of funds for the self-employed who have paid social security contributions. Measures are foreseen to maintain business liquidity and to boost the economy, as well as maintain liquidity of the Treasury. More information on measures is provided: here.