Margus Allikmaa said that the budget of the cultural sector has slightly increased in recent years. This may continue in the coming years. The problem is the Ministry of Culture's significant commitments.
According to Allikmaa, it is a victory that the salaries of cultural workers will increase by an average of seven percent. The reduction of the cultural budget in the coming years may not be true. He said that the cultural budget has slightly increased in recent years.
Allikmaa believes that the funding of culture depends on the state of the economy. He does not remember a significant increase in cultural funding. He said that culture has always received less money than other sectors. The problem is emotional arguments in culture.
Another problem is the increased number of cultural institutions. For example, there are many more theaters and museums than before. Allikmaa does not want to end state funding but thinks that the Ministry of Culture has too many commitments.
Allikmaa mentioned that the salaries of top collectives are too low. The problem is the minimum wage for cultural workers, which standardizes wages. He believes that the minimum wage should not be fixed.
The budget of the Cultural Endowment will increase by several million euros next year. Project grants will increase. The Cultural Endowment is responsible for freelance and non-state cultural institutions. They will fare slightly better next year.