REGIONAL MANAGEMENT OF CULTURE IN GEORGIA

Abstract

Regional Management of Culture is directly related to the regional policy of the country. As for the notion of the “region” as a governing unit, the rule for regional and administrative organization of the country is not fully defined and there is a controversy of opinion towards this issue.

According to the Constitution of Georgia, the issue of the territorial organization is to be settled after restoration of the territorial integrity of the country. According to the existing state, there are two autonomous Republics on the territory of the country: whereas on the remaining territory of the country unofficial units - regions are formed.

Regions do not represent legal entities. They are only equipped with coordination and not consultancy functions between the Municipalities and the Government of Georgia, where the Government is represented by the State Representative. Whereas the Municipalities are represented by the Mayor, Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the Sakrebulo (Municipal Assembly).

As we see, there exists so called ‘De Facto’ regional organization of the country in Georgia and relevantly, regional governance and not regions and regional administration. Though, in official public addresses, in the media and scientific literature (among them instead of legal) “side” the term “region” is often used.

In the field of culture, the administration of the self-governances is comprised of the following units: “Club institutions; community theatres (belonging to self-governing units); cinemas; community exhibitions (belonging to self-governing units); specialized artisan schools”; and others.

From the one glance, Georgian Model of Governance is of mixed type: centralized and regional. Though, separation of the competences depends on the status of the cultural institution, i.e. the founder of the institution. Policy of funding is also defined according to the status and subordination of the institution. There are certain exceptions when the institution can be either under subordination of the central body and funding is realized from the central and regional budget.

The countries where management decentralized is realized, the authorities between the Center and Regions have been separated and the Self-governing bodies have obtained maximal autonomy for management, which on the other hand has greatly contributed to taking a flexible policy for regional management of the cultural institutions. Georgia has become maximally approximated to the marginal where it is possible to have maximal decentralization of management so that the state is able to exercise the duties set with the legislation – to support formation of the equal conditions for cultural development in the regions and municipalities of the Country.