Public building funds for art
Few people would associate public buildings in Greece with artistic creation. But according to a circular issued yesterday by the minister of culture, all new edifices constructed with public funds must incorporate works of art. Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos instructed all civil service departments, regional and local authorities to earmark one percent of their budgets for public buildings for works of art that will be incorporated into the architectural plans. This follows a joint decision by the ministers of culture, finance, town planning, and the environment and public works, which made specific the details of an original idea contained in a law passed four years ago. Venizelos said implementation of the decision will help mobilize all artists… and will considerably increase the scope of their employment.
