The Norwegian Lotteries and Foundations Authority has unveiled a plan to compensate the culture sector in the country following disruptions due to COVID-19.
Drafted by the Ministry of Culture, the plans for the scheme aim to repay cultural actors in Norway for the events and attractions that lost out on operations due to lockdowns and other public health measures.
Following on from previous compensation schemes, the lottery authority stated that the new scheme will cover the period of November 1, 2021, to February 28, 2022.
The consultation period for the scheme closed on January 11, with the regulations now being worked on by the Ministry of Culture and Gender Equality.
Following the Ministry’s draft, the EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) must approve the regulations before any lottery funds can be used to aid the culture sector.
“We are in the process of preparing what we can before the regulations are ready, and will have great pressure to prepare for applications as soon as the regulations are in place. It is important for us to help the cultural actors as quickly as possible,” commented Marianne Skjeldestad Hove, Director of the Department for Voluntary Support.
An announcement from the Ministry of Culture and Gender Equality stated that any organiser or sub-contractor of the culture sector can apply for compensation, the amount dictated by their average income between 2017-2019.
“It is important for the government that the entire industry is covered by good schemes, so that both artists, cultural workers and the public can return to a strengthened cultural life as soon as possible,” stated Minister of Culture and Gender Equality Anette Trettebergstuen.