Slovak Arts Fund Delays and Signs Multi-Year Contract Supplements

In March 2026 the Fund for the Promotion of Art (FPU) in Slovakia declared a series of multi‑year contracts with cultural centres and festivals to be contrary to law and halted further payments. The council, led by Matúš Oľha, cited legal incompatibility and ordered an external audit that identified serious deficiencies.

On 18 June 2026 Oľha signed 16 supplemental agreements covering 16 recipients, releasing about €1.07 million in continued funding for the 2026 programme after the organisations proved they had no tax, social‑security, or health‑insurance arrears. The prolonged hold‑up had forced many institutions to cut programmes, seek loans, or postpone events. Some centres still await supplements, and the audit report has not been published.

The episode highlighted tensions between the FPU, the Ministry of Culture and Slovak cultural bodies over the legal basis and transparency of long‑term public art funding.