Fiscal Decentralisation in Amateur Art Sector in Latvia: Case of Song and Dance Celebration

Abstract

The authors analyse the concept of fiscal decentralisation in culture. The funding model of the Song and Dance Celebration movement in the period 2011-2015 has been chosen as a case study. Three criteria to assess the level of fiscal decentralisation are introduced: 1. The equalisation of public expenditure regionally; 2. The ratio between central and sub-central authorities in total public expenditure; 3. Distribution of public subsidies among different groups of cultural producers. Qualitative and quantitative analysis has been used for conducting the research: analysis of documents and of the budgets in 11 municipalities around Latvia. Conclusions show that although the division of competence between the state and local governments meets the principles of decentralisation, strengthening the non-governmental sector and individual financial contributions would increase the level of decentralization and foster sustainability of the amateur arts sector and the tradition of the Song and Dance Celebration in the long term.