Three city orchestras seek Tallinn City Theatre-style funding deal

Representatives of three city orchestras have asked Culture Minister Heidy Purga for a multi-year funding agreement similar to one between the ministry and Tallinn City Theatre, ERR reports. They say the current funding system does not give them enough certainty to plan their work and sign partnership agreements years in advance.

The representatives of the Narva City Symphony Orchestra, Pärnu City Orchestra and Tallinn Chamber Orchestra said information about planned funding changes reached them at a very late stage of their season planning. Professional orchestras need to make artistic decisions one or two years ahead, they said, and some are already preparing seasons and projects for 2028 while negotiating with conductors, soloists and partners.

The orchestras said they had taken into account grant cuts for the following three years, which the head of the Culture Ministry’s arts department, Katre Väli, informed them about on September 30, 2024. They are now concerned by uncertainty over future funding.

Without clarity on their resources and the scale of their activities, the orchestras said, responsible planning and setting artistic goals become difficult. They said the uncertainty also affects international cooperation, as overseas partners, conductors and soloists plan years ahead. The orchestras warned that they could struggle to agree on long-term partnerships or take part in international projects as equal partners.

The representatives cited a letter from music adviser Kertu Aksiim, dated September 29, which said changes to the funding system were intended to bring it into line with the law and standardise the grant process. The letter said the changes were not intended to alter cultural policy priorities or the principles for supporting music organisations. It also said grant amounts could not be guaranteed in advance, as a commission makes the final funding recommendations after assessing applications.

The orchestras argued that Tallinn City Theatre and the city orchestras are performing arts institutions with important roles in Estonian cultural life. They proposed that the three orchestras receive state support under the same principle as the theatre, which has a separate funding agreement with the ministry.

The appeal was signed by Narva Deputy Mayor Eduard Parts, Pärnu City Orchestra director Helen Erastus, and Tallinn Chamber Orchestra executive producer and acting artistic director Kaido Kelder, along with the orchestra’s concertmasters, assistant concertmaster, section leaders and producer.