In order to promote professional art and preserve the best traditions of Russian culture, Vladimir Putin established eight Presidential Grants starting from 2012 for the support of creative projects of the leading professional folk music and dance groups.
The grant recipients are to be determined by the President of Russia on the proposal of the Russian Government for a term of three years.
The grant recipients for 2012–2014 are the following world-famous groups: the Igor Moiseyev Ballet; the Pyatnitsky Russian Folk Chorus; the Folk Dance Ensemble Berezka; the Ossipov Russian Folk Orchestra; the Academic Song and Dance Ensemble of the Internal Troops of the of the Russian Interior Ministry; the Alexandrov Academic Ensemble of Song and Dance of the Russian Army; the Kuban Cossack Chorus; and the Andreyev Russian Orchestra.
The amount to be paid out as grants totals 397.3 million roubles (over $12 million) per year.
The relevant instructions have been issued to the Government of the Russian Federation.