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1. Acquiring cultural and creative competences through education and training

2. Specialised training for professionals in the education, culture and youth fields

3. Providing quality access to creative environments

Acquiring cultural and creative competences through education and training

Cultural education is an integral part of the formal education system in the Republic of North Macedonia. In primary schools (ages 6–14), art and music are compulsory subjects throughout all grades, ensuring that every child is introduced to the basics of visual expression, musical literacy, and creative interpretation. In secondary general education (ages 15–18), art and music remain mandatory in the first year, while schools frequently offer extracurricular programmes—such as choir, orchestra, dance, theatre, and visual arts clubs—that encourage creative learning beyond the classroom.

For young people who wish to specialise in culture and the arts, the country offers formal secondary education in music, dance, and applied arts. These are four-year programmes aimed at developing early professional artistic skills. While the schools for dance and applied arts are located in Skopje, music high schools operate in several major cities such as Tetovo, Bitola, and Štip. This allows students from different regions to access specialised cultural education.

The curricula in vocational arts education are designed not only to build technical skills but also to introduce students to cultural history, artistic heritage, and creative interpretation.

According to the Curriculum of Music Education for the First Year in VET Schools (Наставна програма Музичка уметност, I година средно стручно образование), programme objectives include:

• acquiring knowledge about the history and stylistic periods of music
• learning about major composers and their works
• developing the ability to actively listen to and perform musical pieces
• deepening theoretical knowledge in harmony, rhythm, form and musical folklore
• encouraging participation in concerts, opera and ballet
• fostering interest in artistic projects and musical creativity
  
   

Similarly, the Curriculum for Fine Arts (Предметна програма Ликовна уметност за I година) aims to:

• develop visual literacy and understanding of artistic language
• encourage individual creative expression
• teach students to interpret artworks and express personal impressions
• build knowledge of Macedonian cultural heritage and world cultures
   

At the tertiary level, culture and creativity are developed in the country’s specialised art academies. These include academies of music, drama, theatre, dance, and fine arts. After four years of study, students obtain a university degree and may continue with master’s or doctoral studies.

For example:

• The Faculty of Fine Arts – Skopje offers first-cycle studies in Graphics, Sculpture, Painting, and Art Pedagogy, and second-cycle studies in Painting, Graphic Arts, and Sculpture.

• The Faculty of Dramatic Arts provides programmes in Acting, Dramaturgy, Production, Theatre Directing, Film and TV Editing, Film and TV Directing, and Cinematography.

• The Faculty of Music – Skopje offers studies in Music Theory and Pedagogy, Composition, Solo Singing, Instrumental Studies, Ballet Pedagogy, and Popular Music Genres.
   

These institutions serve as the highest level of artistic education and represent the main pathway for young people to enter cultural professions.

In order to make cultural education more accessible to young people with limited financial means, in April 2018 the Government adopted the Law on Youth Support for the Purchase of Musical Instruments ( Закон за поддршка на млади при купување музички инструменти).

This measure reimburses up to 75% of the cost of an instrument, with a maximum of 100,000 MKD per instrument, for students enrolled in public music secondary schools and art academies. Eligibility is based on academic performance and household income, ensuring support is directed to youth who need it most.

Specialised training for professionals in the education, culture and youth fields

There is no public nationwide system for specialised training aimed exclusively at developing cultural and creative competences among teachers, educators, or youth workers. However, many opportunities are created through civil society, cultural institutions, foundations, embassies, and donor programmes.

Examples include:

• capacity-building workshops for cultural workers organised by cultural foundations and museums

• EU-funded programmes (e.g., Erasmus+) where youth organisations conduct trainings in art education, creative activism, and heritage protection

• bilateral cultural cooperation projects with European countries supporting residencies, masterclasses, and artistic exchange

These initiatives are not institutionalised but offer valuable professional development and help modernise cultural education practices.

Providing quality access to creative environments

Young people can access cultural and creative spaces through several institutions, programmes, and independent cultural hubs:

• The Ministry of Culture and Tourism provides annual financial support to young artists and authors through public calls for cultural projects of national interest. Funding covers fields such as music, theatre, literature, visual arts, cultural heritage, and architecture.

• The Youth Cultural Centre – Skopje (Младински културен центар, МКЦ) plays a central role in promoting youth creativity. Since 1972, MKC has hosted concerts, film screenings, exhibitions, theatre productions, debates, workshops, and festivals, becoming an iconic space for youth culture.

• Public Room (Јавна соба), opened in 2015, is a multifunctional art and co-working space used for exhibitions, concerts, creative workshops, bazaars, and artistic events, frequented by young artists and entrepreneurs.

• KSP Centre – Jadro (КСП Центар – Јадро) is an inclusive and democratic cultural space for independent artists, civil society, and informal groups. It supports socially engaged art, hosts public programmes, and provides free space for youth and community projects.
   

Together, these institutions and spaces ensure that young people not only learn about culture, but also create, experiment, and participate in artistic life.