The Functioning of Cultural Institutions in Poland – Legal Conditions

Abstract. Issues related to the functioning of cultural entities are becoming more and more often the subject of scientific studies in social disciplines. First, this is dictated not only by the public’s interest in participating in cultural events but also by the important role played by cultural institutions in contemporary social and economic development. This article aims to identify selected aspects of the functioning cultural institutions in Poland. The article reviews publications on the subject from Polish legal literature. The author used a critical analysis. The considerations presented are conceptual. For the considerations undertaken, an attempt was made to familiarise the reader with the Act on Organising and Conducting Cultural Activity issues. Some provisions of the normative act, which applies to the activities of Polish cultural institutions, were analysed. The article pays particular attention to the following issues: the definition of cultural activity, an exemplary division of cultural institutions and aspects related to their organisation. The presented considerations cover preliminary issues in the problem area, which has an institutionalised character. The analysed normative act has regulated the functioning of Polish cultural institutions since the early 1990s, including ordering the fundamental areas related to their organisation and management. During the considerations, an attempt was made to discuss issues that constitute a starting point for outlining the conditions determining the activities of an organizational unit in the sphere of culture, including confronting the positions of researchers dealing with the analyzed topic. The article’s topic may contribute to further analyses, which are significant from the point of view socioeconomic development. Keywords: institutional approach, cultural activities, cultural institutions in Poland, legal basis for the functioning of cultural institution.