Subsidies for dance – an analysis of grant programmes of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage run between 2010 and 2025

The article discusses the grant system in Polish dance from 2010–2025, and analyses the activities of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. The starting point for this analysis is 2010, when the Institute of Music and Dance was established, and the priority area of ‘Theatre and Dance’ was initiated. The analysis covers data on the number of grants and their amounts, the types of projects supported, and the geographical distribution of beneficiaries. Consideration is given to the evolution of the system – from the dominance of large festivals and public institutions within the ‘Theatre and Dance’ programme to the more diverse support provided by the ‘Dance’ programme, which was spun off in 2021. The conclusions suggest that the grant system has enabled significant development of Polish dance life, but remains burdened by problems of short-term funding, low grant amounts and concentration of funds. The article identifies both barriers and opportunities for further development, considering dance in the context of culture as a factor in social and regional development.