Slovenian Association of Dramatic Artists

The Slovenian Association of Dramatic Artists (Slovene: Združenje dramskih umetnikov Slovenije, ZDUS) is a voluntary, professional, non-profit and non-partisan organisation of professional dramatic (theatre) artists for whom performing/dramatic/theatre art is their primary profession. It is registered as an association acting in the public interest and is a legal entity under private law. Its roots trace to the period after World War I, when the Union of Slovene Theatre Actors and Actresses (Zveza slovenskih gledaliških igralcev in igralk) was founded. The current president is Boris Mihalj. ZDUS operates as a membership body and advocacy organisation for the Slovenian theatre profession. Its stated purposes and goals, drawn from its public statute excerpt, include caring for the development of theatre culture and dramatic art, monitoring legislation in the field of culture and social protection of members, safeguarding appropriate quality of the dramatic profession, establishing and maintaining contacts with related associations at home and abroad, informing the public and membership about professional issues, and advocating respect for moral norms and ethics in professional conduct. To pursue these goals, ZDUS carries out a range of tasks: it can join and act within the Cultural Chamber of Slovenia (Kulturniška zbornica Slovenije, KZS) through its representatives (it has been a member since the KZS was founded); it monitors and assesses the state of culture and implementation of the national cultural programme and gives opinions, initiatives and proposals to the Ministry of Culture and other interested institutions; it provides opinions on draft national cultural programmes and implementation reports, and on programmes proposed for public funding; it gives opinions on draft laws and regulations in culture and monitors their implementation; it issues opinions on applications for registration in the register of self-employed cultural creators and on applications for approval of social insurance contributions for its members; it proposes the appointment of its member to the national Cultural Council and members of councils, commissions and expert groups in accordance with ZUJIK, as well as members of the expert council of a public institution; and it gives opinions on candidates for leadership positions in public cultural institutions to the appointing body. In addition, ZDUS proposes candidates for state and other awards in culture to relevant commissions; honourably represents Slovenia and its culture internationally, with special emphasis on Slovenian acting and theatre; provides professional assistance to its members; protects the interests of the theatre profession; cooperates equally with management and governing bodies and the trade union in work organisations where its members are employed; cooperates with the trade union in shaping collective agreements between the representative branch union and employers; cares for professional development of its members by organising lectures, courses, consultations, discussions and seminars; organises and encourages exchange of dramatic artists at home and abroad; publishes professional literature in accordance with applicable regulations; issues opinions or recommendations for obtaining visas for foreigners engaged in dramatic art; concludes contracts with RTV Slovenija, film and other institutions and protects the interests of its members in all areas in accordance with applicable regulations; organises and stages theatre performances and other events, or entrusts this to other persons on the basis of lease or similar contracts; annually awards ZDUS Recognitions to its members; cooperates with ITI – International Theatre Institute; cares for retired members so they maintain contact with theatre art; and, in agreement with theatres, enables its members to attend performances free of charge. ZDUS also grants professional awards.

The Slovenian Association of Dramatic Artists (ZDUS) traces its roots to the period after World War I, when the Union of Slovene Theatre Actors and Actresses (Zveza slovenskih gledaliških igralcev in igralk) was established. Over time the organisation evolved into the present-day voluntary, professional, non-profit and non-partisan association of professional dramatic artists for whom theatre art is their primary profession. It is registered as an association acting in the public interest and is a legal entity under private law. ZDUS has been a member of the Cultural Chamber of Slovenia (Kulturniška zbornica Slovenije, KZS) since the chamber's founding. Under its auspices, the Slovenian Centre of the International Theatre Institute (ITI) operated until 2018. ZDUS is a member of FIA, the international trade union organisation of performing artists. The association annually confers professional awards: two recognitions for acting achievements and two for non-acting achievements in theatre, presented on World Theatre Day, 27 March. Its current president is Boris Mihalj.

• Roots traced to the founding of the Union of Slovene Theatre Actors and Actresses after World War I.

• Member of the Cultural Chamber of Slovenia since its founding.

• Slovenian Centre of the International Theatre Institute operated under ZDUS auspices until 2018.

Voluntary, non-profit, non-partisan professional association of Slovenian dramatic artists, acting in the public interest.

1. 1Združenje dramskih umetnikov Slovenije – Wikipedia (Slovenian)sl.wikipedia.org
2. 2Slovenian Association of Dramatic Artists – Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Official websitezdus.si
4. 4Security verification required · zdus.sicheck.kabi.si