"What have I done for tomorrow?": the ways schools of arts are shaping the future of the country’s culture discussed at the National Centre RUSSIA

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The state sees culture as a foundation for shaping spiritual and moral values, a healthy family environment and the all-round development of the individual. To achieve this, accessible infrastructure and high-quality cultural content — especially for children — are being developed across all regions of the country. These issues were discussed on 26 November at the National Centre RUSSIA as part of the programme "Platform of the Future: 100 Projects of Russia. Person".

According to Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Tatyana Golikova, the key objectives of the national project "Culture", completed in 2024, and the new national project "Family" include creating a unified cultural space and reviving traditional spiritual and moral values nationwide.

"For us, culture is a special space where all family members can share impressions with one another. Today it is not simply leisure — it is an opportunity for a spiritual dialogue between generations. Our primary goal is to ensure that every family has this opportunity, even in the most remote settlements," she said.

Culture is an integral part of the national project "Family", noted Tatyana Golikova. At the first stage, the Government of the Russian Federation focused on creating and modernising cultural infrastructure. New institutions were built, and existing ones were renewed so that families could access cultural resources. The country is now moving to the next stage — developing content that reflects cultural priorities and values. Plans for the near future include establishing a wide network of children’s cultural and educational centres within existing cultural institutions and modernising philharmonic halls.

"Children’s schools of arts continue to play a particularly important role in this work. They are our unique national asset, of which we are justly proud. Their mission goes far beyond training future musicians. These schools cultivate discipline, systematic thinking, aesthetic taste and emotional perception — everything that shapes a young person’s character and forms the foundation for personal development. And when a child embraces these values, the family embraces them too, creating a unique environment for building culture within society," said Tatyana Golikova.

In 2025, the country will continue the major renovation of children’s schools of arts, the construction of 50 new schools, the creation of 1,500 children’s leisure centres and 24 regional philharmonic venues, added the Deputy Prime Minister.

At present, around 1.8 million children study in more than 5,000 children’s schools of arts across Russia, said Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation Olga Lyubimova. According to her, the Ministry’s task is not only to identify talented children but also to give all young people interested in creativity an opportunity to develop.

"Classical drawing and the classical system of musical education do not necessarily lead to becoming the first violin in Valery Gergiev’s orchestra, but they shape a well-rounded individual. Children grow up not only into musicians but also into outstanding mathematicians, architects, and engineers. We all understand how important it is to foster a harmoniously developed personality. We see how significant every children’s school of arts is. It is essential that talented young people in all regions of our country have the opportunity to gain knowledge and experience creative collaboration with equally gifted children," said the Minister of Culture of Russia.

Russia has unique educational traditions in the field of the arts, said People’s Artist of the Russian Federation, pianist, conductor, bandleader, arranger, composer, and teacher Sergei Zhilin.

"I would like to note that many years ago I studied at a children’s school of arts affiliated with the Music School of the Moscow Conservatory — the Central Secondary Special Music School at the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory, twice awarded the Order of Lenin. That became the foundation of my professional path <...> When I am asked how studying at this school helped me to realise my creative potential and form the original musical approach that distinguishes my projects, I can say honestly: the training at this school was highly intensive and academically rigorous; it gave me an exceptionally strong foundation — the best in the world <...> Today I teach at the Conservatory myself, and I can say with confidence that this experience has become invaluable," he said, explaining the importance of creative schools.

Sergei Zhilin also noted that many new children’s initiatives are now emerging: jazz schools, programmes for children from orphanages, the "Phonograph Debut" project, and other initiatives. All of them aim to shape a future generation that will possess not only performance skills but also artistic thinking, cultural literacy and a broad intellectual outlook. Without this, it is impossible to develop a well-rounded individual, he added.

"Our country truly abounds in talent. I fully agree that such contests and cultural and leisure centres are not simply places to meet but genuine sources of support for many people. These are places where people feel understood, where they can find like-minded people, build a team, make friends and receive support. It is especially important, especially at a young age, to find one’s mentor, guide or source of inspiration — someone who can show the way, illuminate the path in a ‘dark realm’, help make decisions and see the future," said singer, composer, and musician Alexander Panayotov.

According to him, entire generations of Russians were raised on the warm and heartfelt songs of the Soviet era — on music that carried meanings and shaped their inner world. Alexander Panayotov stressed the importance of preserving these meanings so that they "continue to live", evolve and be passed on to young people.

"I remember my first song — the one I performed when I first stepped on stage at the age of nine, a song by Yevgeny Krylatov with lyrics by Yuri Entin. It felt distant and beautiful, and one line especially struck me — a line that later became the motto of my life: ‘And what have I done today for my tomorrow?’ I want our young talents and new gifted performers, including those who play jazz on the balalaika — a wonderful idea — to ask themselves this question. I want every child discovering art, every young person developing their talent, to think about what they are doing today for their tomorrow," he concluded.

A series of thematic programmes "Platform of the Future: 100 Projects of Russia" is held at the National Centre RUSSIA. They are dedicated to the national development goals set out in Presidential Decree No. 309.

Two more thematic meetings will take place before the end of the year. They will present major initiatives covering the social and infrastructure spheres, ecology, industry, the economy and culture. Presentations of the projects at the National Centre RUSSIA are delivered by their leaders and beneficiaries, as well as those who support the implementation of these initiatives.