The studios in which Montenegrin artists create in Podgorica are located in different locations of the city and are mostly unprofitable business spaces as well as basements.
"The true identity of a city is contained in its creative potential. A real city is not made of concrete, steel, asphalt and aluminum. It is made up of its people, especially the creative layer from any profession. Painters, sculptors, musicians, actors, directors, craftsmen", are the words of painter Igor Rakčević, president of the Association of Fine Artists of Montenegro.
Our interlocutors, eminent Montenegrin artists, confirmed that the painter Rakčević has like-minded people. But, do the leaders of the Municipality of the Capital City think so, who started to implement a different law on the regulation of compensation for painting spaces that were allocated for use by artists in Podgorica.
Previously, the compensation that painters had to set aside for such spaces was on an annual basis and was usually regulated by the artistic work, which was chosen by the intended committee.
Today, by the decision of the Municipality of Podgorica, that type of contract with artists has been changed and now they are obliged to pay monthly (the amount of compensation depends on the location and square footage of the studio) for the spaces in which they create.
"The amount of compensation that artists pay depends on the location and size of the space. I pay 110 euros per month for the studio where I create (about forty square meters in size). I can sort of deal with that price, but I know many other artists who won't be able to pay this kind of compensation. Previously, this collection was carried out in a different way and was on an annual basis. Usually, a commission from the Municipality would come and estimate how much that compensation would be for the past year. Depending on the price of the space, the commission made an assessment and took an artistic work (picture, drawing...) as compensation. That was the earlier method of payment, and since last year there has been this change, which was probably caused by the weakening of the municipal budget", said Ratko Odalović.
Disinterestedness of the political and cultural elites
Our famous painter Rajko Todorović Todor comments on the attitude towards the culture and art of the Montenegrin society, and especially towards the creativity that originates in Montenegro, as "continuous carelessness, or rather disinterest, of the political and cultural elites".
Artists are forced to pay arrears at industry rates.
The case of Todorović is not the only one in Podgorica. In many studios there are no basic conditions for work, such as water and electricity. They were excluded because of the high bills left behind by the failed businesses that were once located in those areas.
Artists are forced to pay arrears at industry rates.
Creative energy is unknown to the country
And on the other hand, how much carelessness there is for its artists in a world of unknowns, how much creative energy, how much artists, studios, galleries, music halls, theaters, clubs... are the identity of a country, commented the painter Rakčević.
I remember that there used to be five cinemas in Podgorica, and there was only one boutique - on the plateau below the Great Market. Is everything global a question of consumer mentality, or is it a dare to be an artist in Podgorica?"
"To the beginning of the nineties, or to the endless right of misunderstanding of cultural needs, petty calculations and wrong assessments. I remember that there used to be five cinemas in Podgorica, and there was only one boutique - on the plateau below the Great Market. Is everything global a question of consumer mentality, or is it a dare to be an artist in Podgorica?", concludes Rakčević.
The "Vijesti" newsroom asked Vlatko Jablano, head of the economic and legal affairs sector at the Agency for Construction and Development of Podgorica, to answer the question - why there was a change in the decision on the method of payment for the use of painting studios. Jablan directed us to Hamd Kočan from the PG Bureau.
"I couldn't tell you anything specific because Mr. Jablan has all the data, compensation prices for painting spaces and all other information. I find it strange that he referred you to me. This is information in his possession and I cannot help," commented Hamdo Kočan from the PG Bureau.
Our attempts to get in touch with Vlatko Jablan again failed because he did not respond to the calls and messages of the "Vijesti" newsroom.
150 euros for 20 wet square meters
"I create in a studio, if you can call it that, because it is a basement in a building in the center of Podgorica. I share the studio with my colleague Pavlo Radoičić, and the monthly compensation we give for that room full of moisture and measuring twenty square meters is 150 euros. Until now, I have never turned to the Ministry of Culture for a recommendation that the Municipality of Podgorica would consider for obtaining an adequate space, because it is an established story among artists that there are no such spaces in Podgorica. Ateliers were usually given to older artists, although even here we are talking about non-conditional spaces. Unable to get an adequate space to work, because few people meet artists, those who can afford it rent apartments", commented Tijana Vujović, a painter.
Until now, I have never turned to the Ministry of Culture for a recommendation that would be considered by the Municipality of Podgorica for obtaining some adequate space, says the painter Vujović.
"As far as the Ministry of Culture is concerned, we don't have space that we could rent out to artists, but whenever artists contact us, if we judge that there is interest, we recommend the Municipality of Podgorica to meet the artists and provide the use of the studio space under favorable conditions. That's the only thing the Ministry of Culture can do about it," said Milić.
Bonus video:
