CBS: Public funding of the arts at 82%
Central Bureau of Statistics report shows staggering gap between State, public's investment in country's cultural endeavors
A recent report by the Central Bureau of Statistics revealed that the State's investment in national cultural events covers only 18% of their costs. The rest – 82% - is funded by the public.
The government's budget for culture and sports events on a national level came to NIS 43.6 billion (approx. $10.8 billion) in 2011, which are 4.9% of Israel's GPD.
Within the budget, 68% of the funds finances shows, movies and live performances, and within that article, only 20% financed the arts.
Until a few years ago, the state devoted more resources to culture and sports, as they were part of the Education Ministry. When the latter was split to the Education Ministry and the Culture and Sports Ministry the budget was split as well, with the lion share going to education.
The education system is considered Israel's major culture consumer.
Still, in 2011, only 18% of the government expenditures funded Israeli culture.
According to the CBS, the public supplied NIS 35 billion ($8.7 billion) of all cultural funding in 2011.
