爱沙尼亚将给作家和美术家发薪水鼓励创作

Ten writers and artists in Estonia are to be paid a salary by the state for the next three years to encourage their work, it's been reported.

据报道，未来三年，爱沙尼亚政府将给十位作家和美术家发薪水来鼓励他们的创作。

The ministry1 of culture in the Baltic state has announced that those selected will each receive a portion of the 160,000 euros which will be set aside each year from 2016, Estonian public broadcaster ERR2 reports. "The state's interest is straightforward3: a poet or painter needs an opportunity to concentrate on his or her creative work," says ministry spokesperson Meelis Kompus. "Without enough support and people working on several fronts to make ends meet, precious creations may never see the light of day or be delayed."

To apply, writers and artists have to submit a portfolio4 of their work, a personal statement, and they must outline their creative goals for the next few years.

State salaries for the arts are rare, and the most that artists can usually hope for is a grant or bursary which gives financial security for a short period. In Ireland, for example, the Arts Council offers up to 15,000 euros as a single-year literary bursary.

That's something Estonia is trying to change, with Culture Minister Indrek Saar saying that the proposed salary offers security that one-off arts grants do not usually provide. Competition for the 10 salaried posts is expected to be "fierce", according to director of Tallinn Art Hall Taaniel Raudsepp. "Our aim is to find people who are at the peak of their creative powers," he says.

1 ministry

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。

We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。

2 err

vi.犯错误，出差错

参考例句：

He did not err by a hair's breadth in his calculation.他的计算结果一丝不差。

The arrows err not from their aim.箭无虚发。

3 straightforward

adj.正直的，坦率的；易懂的，简单的

参考例句：

A straightforward talk is better than a flowery speech.巧言不如直说。

I must insist on your giving me a straightforward answer.我一定要你给我一个直截了当的回答。

4 portfolio

n.公事包；文件夹；大臣及部长职位

参考例句：

He remembered her because she was carrying a large portfolio.他因为她带着一个大公文包而记住了她。

He resigned his portfolio.他辞去了大臣职务。