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Slovakia

8. Creativity and Culture

8.2 Administration and governance

Last update: 20 February 2026

Central body of the state administration  for culture and cultural and creative industries is  Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic. 

The Role of the Ministry has formed from early beginning his existence, while his field of activity was characterized by extension service, art, national monuments, environment protection, publishing of non-daily newspaper, copyright, production and trade area.  

At present is Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic the central body of state administration of the Slovak Republic for: 

  • national language,  

  • preservation of monumental funds,  

  • national heritage and library science,  

  • art,  

  • copyright and copyright laws, 

  • extension service and folk artistic production,  

  • support of cultural innovation for ethnic minorities,  

  • presentation of the Slovak culture and arts abroad,  

  • relations with churches and religious societies,  

  • media and audio-visual.  

No department of the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic is specifically addressing the issue of youth culture.  

The Ministry also methodically manages the activities of Slovak institutes abroad in the field of their cultural activities.  

Specially established organization which falls within the competence of the Ministry of Culture  and is focused on cultural, artistic and creative services for children and youth is BIBIANA (The International House of Art for Children).  BIBIANA is a cultural institution with international activity. It was founded in 1987 as a partner of a world-known event with a long tradition "Biennial of Illustration Bratislava." From the beginning it was professionally specialized as a gallery institution supporting a development of illustration works for children and improving quality of literature for children in Slovakia and abroad. Gradually, with the help of new people and new ideas, the philosophy of BIBIANA began to change, possibilities of development and spreading art for children became wider, creating a rich spectrum of genres.  

As the „house of Art“, Bibiana whose seat is the capital Bratislava, respects the principle of decentralization and some of its events are held throughout Slovakia. 

Special-interest artistic activities: 

  • creates its own programs focused on raising children through art and into art by organizing events of a variety of genres, including art by non-traditional, experimental forms of work,  

  • organizes selected domestic and international exhibitions, events, seminars, lectures, educational and creative workshops, 

  • interactive exhibitions supplemented by theatre performances, creative workshops, music programs, 

  • collaboration with students of the Academy of Fine Arts and the Academy of Performing Arts. 

In 2017, BIBIANA become the seat of the national section of IBBY - International Board on Books for Young People of non-governmental organisation UNESCO. In the BIBIANA Library, the Section has archived the IBBY Honour List, making this unique international collection available for study purposes. BIBIANA – Revue of Arts for Children and Young People (the official publication of SkBBY) – the only magazine in Slovakia to regularly revue and evaluate the artistic and literary production for children and young people (literature, fine arts, radio, television, film, theatre production…). The revue includes articles, studies, papers, essays, book reviews, polemics and interviews with the most prominent authors in the field. 

Another specialized, state-subsidized organization of the Ministry of Culture focused on spreading art and culture within nationwide scope is The National Culture Centre (NOC). As professional-methodical workplace for cultural and educational activities, operates in these areas in particular: 

  • support of hobby artistic activity and non-professional artistic creation with an emphasis on target groups of students and youth,  

  • methodically developing competitions, events and festivals of non-professional hobby art activities, 

  • announces, professionally guarantees, coordinates, monitors compliance with the propositions and evaluates their course. 

  • coordinating and executive workplace for theoretical, analytical, information, documentation and consulting activities in the field of cultural and educational activities,  

  • non-formal cultural education and prevention of negative social phenomena, 

  • a coordinating and executive workplace for research and state statistical surveys in the field of culture education in culture, 

  • a professional workplace that maintains the national register of cultural heritage as a central record of data and information on cultural heritage.  

The National Cultural Centre is the announcer and professional guarantor of 21 national progressive competitions and shows in artistic types and genres: folklore and folklorism, theater, film, photography, music, artistic performance, art and literature. The most significant for youth target groups are: 

  • the Hviezdoslavov Kubín (nationwide competition and show in the artistic recitation of poetry and prose, in the creation of recitation groups and poetry theaters for children, youth and adults),

  • Youth sings (nationwide competition and parade of children's and youth choirs), 

  • Scénická žatva (festival of non-professional  theatre and artistic performance in Martin),  

  •  FeDiM (Festival of Youth Theatre), 

  • Eniki beniki (a nationwide competition and screening of children's folklore ensembles is held every two years),

  • Literárny Zvolen (Competition in Creative Writing, paltform also for young creators),
  • Jazykom tanca (Amateur Dance Competition with attendance of children and youth collectives),
  • Cineama (Amateur Film Competition and Showcase, open to children and youth),
  • AMFO (Amateur Photography Competition and Exhibition with youth categories). 
     

The system of implementation of national competitions is directly linked to regional and regional awareness centers, whose task is to organize the event in the selected region or region.  

The institutions falling under the Ministry of Culture usually are the cultural institutions of nationwide importance, while cultural institutions of regional reach fall under local governments, usually under higher territorial units.  

The Ministry of Culture is the founder of 31 cultural institutions. According to the 2024 State Statistical Survey in Culture, Slovakia recorded 230 museums, 33 galleries, 139 theatres, 23 astronomical facilities and 1,472 libraries. 
 

Cultural and edification activities were carried out by more than 1,008 local government entities (in 2024). Higher territorial units are usually the founders of museums, galleries, theatres and most important libraries and cultural and edification facilities.  

Smaller cultural and edification facilities and libraries are founded by municipalities.  

Towns and municipalities are responsible for institutions related to culture and cultural heritage in terms of: 

  • operation of cultural facilities and maintenance of cultural monuments, 

  • establishment of libraries (scientific, academic, public, educational operation of professional theatres and support for the theatre activities, 

  • or special ones),  

  • establishment of museums or galleries.   

Towns and municipalities also ensure: 

  • cultural activities organization, 

  • preservation of local cultural values and heritage, traditional folk culture and others, 

  • training of volunteers and professionals in the field of culture, 

  • art work promotion (for example, local artists support) or support of creative workers and others. 

Important actors of culture, artistic interests activities for children and youth at local level are: 

  • 286  Youth Centres (CVČ) - facilities in schools network where various interest and hobby clubs are organized; 24% of hobby clubs focused on culture and art, 

  • 71 Leisure Youth Centres from private sector,  

  • 90 Primary Art Schools, where children and youth can develop their talent in playing musical instruments, singing, dancing, fine arts and many others. In the school year 2025/2026, 111 734 students are attending Primary Art Schools (public, private and church). 

Self-governing regions provide: 

  • creation, presentation and development of cultural values and cultural activities at a regional level, 

  • creation and implementation of the program of social, economic and cultural development of the region’s territory, 

  • cooperation with youth centres, community centres, local cultural institutions, educational centres in the region, 

  • more complex projects in the field of culture ion the region’s territory, 

  • training of cultural workers, 

  • coordination of various cultural competitions, shows and events, 

  • monitoring and evaluation of culture, 

  • statistical data gathering from the field of culture and others. 

 

The main non-public actors 

  • profit and non-profit organizations, 

  • active individuals involved in the development of culture. 

For example: 

1. ANTENA - network of cultural centres and organisations, which operates in the field of independent arts and culture of Slovakia.   

Cross-sectorial cooperation 

The Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic (or its institutions and organizations) are permanent members of cross-sectorial mechanisms in youth policy decision-making. 

In these structures Ministry of Culture is responsible for youth policy in the field of culture and various implementation measures. 

Long-term co-operation of the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic and the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic is also in the process of creation of the State educational programme of the Slovak Republic, where Ministry of Culture gives expert views and guidelines.