The Ministry of Culture has changed the status of the Frank and Zankovetska theaters: what does this mean?
19 February 05:33
The Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine has decided to reorganize two leading national theaters—the Ivan Franko National Academic Drama Theater in Kyiv and the Maria Zankovetska National Academic Ukrainian Drama Theater in Lviv. From now on, they will operate in a new organizational and legal format — as state-owned non-profit companies.
The relevant orders No. 186 and No. 187 were signed by Minister of Culture Tetiana Berezhna on February 14, 2026.
The Frank and Zankovetska theaters have become state-owned non-profit organizations
According to the decision of the Ministry of Culture, both theaters have been reorganized from state-owned enterprises into state-owned non-profit corporations.
This means that:
- the theaters remain state-owned;
- their activities will continue to be focused on their cultural mission rather than on making a profit;
- the management and financing model is changing.
The new status will allow theatres to manage their resources more flexibly and expand cooperation with partners.
Theatre directors head reorganization commissions
The current general directors and artistic directors of the theaters have been appointed as heads of the transformation commissions:
- Yevhen Nyshchuk — at the Ivan Franko Theater;
- Maksym Golenko — at the Maria Zankovetska Theater.
They will be responsible for carrying out the reorganization and ensuring the continuous operation of the institutions.
Theatre employees will keep their jobs after the reorganization
The Ministry of Culture has instructed the commissions to:
- to conduct an inventory of property;
- to formalize the succession of new legal entities;
- inform employees about changes in organizational and legal status;
- ensure the continuation of labor relations with theater staff.
This means that employees will not lose their jobs due to the change in status of the institutions.
What does the status of a state non-profit association mean?
A state non-profit corporation is a legal entity created by the state to perform socially important functions without the aim of making a profit.
This status gives theaters more opportunities, including:
- more independent financial management;
- enter into contracts and partnership agreements;
- attracting additional funding;
- develop cultural projects more effectively.
At the same time, the property of theatres remains the property of the state.
Reorganization aimed at developing national culture
The change in status of two leading Ukrainian theaters is part of broader reforms in the cultural sphere.
It is expected that the new management model will improve the efficiency of the theaters, expand their capabilities, and promote the development of Ukrainian theater arts.
The Ivan Franko National Theater and the Maria Zankovetska Theater are among the oldest and most important cultural institutions in Ukraine.
