Law on Theatrical Activity

Taking into consideration the modern developments in the field of theatre arts, as well as the need to modernise and improve this activity, in 2016 the Ministry passed the new Law on Theatrical Activity. It is of particular importance that this Law has created possibilities to establish theatres, and thereby to employ artists, experts, technical and other staff in theatres. Apart from that, the Law enables unemployed artists to establish theatre groups, and thereby to accomplish themselves and to develop at a professional level, as well as to generate their own income. Pursuant to the Law, the theatre group has the status of a professional artist, and it differs from the legal form of organised citizen associations, i.e. from amateurism. Furthermore, the Law gives priority to co-financing professional theatres and theatre groups rather than to amateurism. The said regulations will certainly contribute to creation of better quality offer of art, professionalisation of staff and a decrease in the number of unemployed persons, which will certainly have an impact on the contribution of culture to sustainable development. The said Law also foresees adoption of a set of bylaws: Rulebook on requirements and the procedure for establishing the fulfilment of requirements for performing the theatrical activity, Rulebook on contents and manner of maintaining the register of theatres and theatre groups, Rulebook on the activity and financing of theatres founded or co-founded by Republika Srpska, and Rulebook on co-financing projects and programmes in the field of theatrical activity defined as a public need in the culture of Republika Srpska. This provides for mechanisms for recording the number of entities performing this activity.