Martin Glaser of the National Theatre Brno explains how top artistic quality, accessibility and economic sustainability shape the theatre’s future.
How do you balance artistic quality with economic sustainability in managing the theatre, and what are your goals for the institution’s future?
Martin Glaser, General Director of the National Theatre Brno:
Your question has a seemingly straightforward answer. Top artistic quality is crucial to our approach. We always aim to work with the best directors, invite exceptional soloists to our productions, and collaborate to create stellar performances. Economic sustainability is equally important. While we require substantial support from public sources, we also need to generate significant revenue independently. Last year, our own revenue exceeded CZK 100 million for the first time, and we expect this trend to continue. Our internal funds are key to our growth. Outside the capital, we rely on them even more, as large companies tend to direct their sponsorships towards the capital rather than regional areas.
On the other hand, as a public institution, our main goal is not profit but delivering top-quality cultural services to the general public. This requires broad accessibility, ensuring everyone, from school groups to senior citizens, can visit us. Additionally, we have responsibilities related to preserving both tangible and intangible cultural heritage and advancing the fields we oversee – ballet, drama, and opera. This involves taking risks, exploring new areas, and giving opportunities to the next generation of artists. While this increases our social significance, the risks we willingly take can sometimes make it appear as though we are on the edge of economic sustainability.
My team has two and a half years left in Brno. During this time, we aim to strengthen the international connections of the National Theatre Brno. Another key objective is to enhance our educational initiatives, with a major focus on establishing an Education Centre at the Janáček Theatre.
