The creation of a cultural reservoir by the drainage of culture

This year Poland is to hold the European Presidency for the first time. This prestigious and important role has many facets, however perhaps the most controversial and least widely known is that of culture.

As part of the presidency Poland will host the European Culture Congress 2011 to be held in Wrocław .The Polish government state that as part of the objectives for the presidency:

On culture, the leading subjects of the Polish Presidency will include development of social innovation and intellectual capital (through investment in culture, support for participation in culture and promotion of cultural and artistic education of persons of all ages) and negotiations on further editions of the Culture and Europe for Citizens programs.

There will also be events all around Poland as part of the presidency. All very well and good. What however is not stated in this positive statement is where the money for investment will come from. Inevitably the money has been moved from other cultural projects.

Budgets of Art institutions and universities have been drastically slashed this year. The ministry of culture website states that applications for funds have now closed for 2011, and its only March!

I understand that Poland is a bit short of money and that at the same time it wants to put on a good show. Yet by dealing with the problem in this way the lifeblood of regular artists has been cut.

Young aspiring artists depend on government grants to help them develop their ideas. This involves travelling to festivals and competitions. Does the government's policy meant that all students in 2011 will be left out in the cold?