State Program "The theatre of Azerbaijan in 2009-2019"
This State Program outlines the development prospects of Azerbaijani theatre and theatre artists and aims to sustain and multiply the rich artistic creativity of Azerbaijani theatre artists, to encourage artistic exchanges and mobility of theatre artists nationally and internationally, as well as to ensure the effective use of information and financial resources, enrich theatres' artistic repertoire. More concretely the Program has the following objectives: 1) developing a new more comprehensive and results-based theatre policy and optimization of theater management process, undertaking a theatre reform; 2) development of theatre creativity in Azerbaijan by ensuring the preservation of universal and national cultural values and promotion theatre-related creative exhanges; 3) supporting young artists in all the theatre genres and professions; 4) improvement of theatre training and professional development system of theatre artists, while conducting and promoting joint initiatives and projects in the field of theatre creativity with other countries; 5) renovation of the theatre premises, bringing them to contemporary standards and strengthening their facilities to support creativity of artists; 6) undertaking measures to improve substantially information and communication technologies in the field of theatre creativity; 7) promoting theatre culture locally, nationally and internationally.
The measure has been making an attempt to provide a large approach to sustain and promote theatre creativity and widen the creative opportunities of the artists. It includes organization of publishing and advertising products, decor and costume-making, as well as the creation of a Theatre Training Centre, which is supposed to supplement university studies in the field of theatre creativity and wider the range of arts education possibilities in this field. The measure also allowed for creation of studios in State Russian Drama Theatre, State Puppet Theatre, Nakhchivan State Musical Drama Theatre, Ganja State Drama Theatre, Lankaran State Drama Theatre, as well as Sheki State Drama Theatre.
In terms of mobility of artists in the field of theatre education, the measure foresees concluding partnership agreements and contracts with education institutions abroad to support exchange and internships opportunities in the field of theatre. With this particular measure, the state wishes to enlarge possible employment opportunities for theatre artists and develop diverse learning experiences for young artists.
The measure has also been strong in reinforcing the visibility of theatre creativity among the general public in Azerbaijan by multiplying and supporting the creation of visiblity and awareness raising products, as well as digital platforms for knowledge and creativity exchange. In the field of puppet theatre creativity, it also foresees holding regularly a Puppet Theatre Week with the participation of UNIMA (International Puppet Theaters Association).
Finally, the measure included taking necessary steps to carry out repair and restoration works in Baku, Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and other regions, as well as in the premises of state theatres operating in the areas of refugee and displaced persons (as a result of occupation by Armenia of the Nagorno Karabakh Region and 7 adjacent regions).
The expected results of the measure are following: 1) national theater art preserved, developed and enhanced. 2) enabling environment for artistic performances created;
3) normative-legal bases in the field of theater creativity improved; 4) the material-technical base of theater institutions strengthened; 5) conditions created for the theater network to meet the modern requirements and meet the theater needs of local communities; 6) more young, talented and professional artists involved in the theater creativity; 7) interregional, international and international cultural relations in the field of theater stregthened; 8) opportunities to represent and promote Azerbaijan's theater creativity worldwide created.
The measures envisaged by the State Program are funded from the state budget of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including funds provided for the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the state budget, as well as other sources in conformity with the legisilation of the country.