- Time Period: Post-WW2 Period
- Year of Institution: 17 June 2005
- Country: Poland
The Medal for Merit to Culture Gloria Artis (or Zasłużony Kulturze – Gloria Artis in Polish), also known as Gloria Artis Medal, is a departmental decoration of Poland in Arts awarded by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland to persons and organizations for distinguished contributions to, or protection of the Polish culture and national heritage.
The medal is awarded on the basis of the Act of 17 June 2005 amending the Act on organizing and conducting cultural activities and amending the Act on the education system. The award has three degrees:
- 1st degree – Gold Medal for Merit to Culture Gloria Artis,
- 2nd degree – Silver Medal for Merit to Culture Gloria Artis,
- 3rd degree – Bronze Medal for Merit to Culture – Gloria Artis.
The minister awards the medal on his own initiative or at the request of other ministers or heads of central offices, rectors of universities, voivodship marshals, voivodes, statutory authorities of national social organizations or associations conducting statutory cultural activities, heads of diplomatic or consular posts of the Republic of Poland.
The Medal for Merit to Culture Gloria Artis Design
The medal was designed by Piotr Gawron. It’s made of gilded, silver-plated or bronze-patinated tombac and has the shape of a flower with irregular petals covered with green, blue or dark red enamel depending on the degree. The diameter of the Gold Medal badge is 70 mm, the Silver Medal is 55 mm, and the Bronze Medal is 40 mm.
On the obverse there is an image of a crowned eagle. On the reverse there is a woman’s head in a laurel wreath with a semi-circular inscription “GLORIA ARTIS” above.
The gold medal ribbon is 680 mm long and 50 mm wide, it is dark green in color with two vertical stripes – white and red 13 mm wide. The ribbon of the silver medal is 60 mm long and 35 mm wide, it is blue in color with two vertical stripes – white and red 5 mm wide. The ribbon of a bronze medal is 55 mm long and 35 mm wide, it is a maroon color with two vertical stripes – white and red 5 mm wide.
