Good news for the cultural sector: no more cuts from the state

The cultural sector will be spared further direct cuts from the state in 2026, but tax cuts and savings in local government contributions may also affect arts institutions.

The government’s mid-term talks, which ended late on Wednesday evening, led to good news for culture. The Ministry of Education and Culture’s cuts will not affect the arts and culture sector in 2026.

It was also decided to reduce the cuts originally planned for the OMC from €75 million to €65 million. They will now be targeted at higher education, among other things.

– Of course, the cultural sector is not happy about the cuts to higher education, but we are happy that it has now been clearly understood what the impact of the cuts will be on the sector, Paavolainen says.

The government cut cultural funding this year with over EUR 17 million. Most of the savings focused on theaters, orchestras and museums receiving long -term support from the state (Vos). A total of almost EUR 11 million was cut from them.

More than 80 % of theaters have already had to adapt measures, according to a survey by the Finnish Theater Association, and six theater had had change negotiations in the early part of the year.

Culture Minister: ‘No further savings coming’

The government will decide on next year’s budget in the fall, and according to Talvitie, no additional cuts are coming to culture.

– At this point, it is not in sight that there are any additional savings. In the mid -term, OKM’s savings were dealt with next year’s savings and no new savings will be on culture. There were also additional savings, and there will be no new savings for culture.

Municipalities affected by tax cuts

The Association of Municipalities is a degree more worried. Surveying in the midst of municipal funding is likely to also affect art institutions.

The government saves EUR 75 million from municipal government contributions and reduces income tax and reduces corporation tax. This means that the municipal tax fund does not accumulate as before.

The direct cut of EUR 75 million applies to the state subsidy of basic services. According to Lehtonen, this is computational about two million libraries and less than one million euros on cultural services.

Lehtonen emphasizes that tax discounts are the most important issue for municipal finances and culture financing.

– If the decrease in tax revenue is not compensated for and the municipalities are to maintain the level of culture in the municipalities, the municipalities are forced to either cut their other services or increase municipal or corporate tax.

There is relief in Taike

– We have always made our plans according to three different scenarios. One has been that there will be no additional cuts. Now we promote things according to this.

This year, EUR 1.3 million for Taike’s budget were made. Until last year, Taike granted a grant to 507 organizations or communities. This year, the figure had fallen to 378.

– We have made choices so that average amounts have risen. And we can continue this work now. We try to target the relief activities so that the art field can develop despite the cuts.

*Edited 24.4. at 3:09 pm: Comments from Taike’s leader added to the news.*