Money for culture - Press for smaller places: Cultural Foundation lays projects on
With a new funding program, the Federal Cultural Foundation aims to counteract the increasing political and social pressure on smaller cultural sites. The project is part of three programs initiated by the Stiftungsrat under Cultural State Minister Claudia Roth (Greens) in Halle and Berlin.
Cultural sites "are increasingly under pressure"
"In times of increasing polarization, cultural sites offer opportunities for dialogue and discussion, especially in smaller towns," according to a statement from the foundation based in Halle and Berlin, led by Katarzyna Wielga-Skolimowska. Cultural and arts associations, sociocultural centers, theaters, or libraries are important meeting places within a pluralistic and democratic society. "But they are increasingly under pressure," the foundation states.
To support and strengthen the diversity of offers, the "Lokal – Programm für Kultur und Engagement" project plans to make up to 7.5 million Euros available until 2031. Engaged cultural actors in towns and municipalities with fewer than 100,000 inhabitants are encouraged to seek partners such as sports clubs, schools, kindergartens, the volunteer fire department, or local businesses to collaborate on projects long-term.
Cultural institutions of tomorrow
The "Models for Cultural Institutions of Tomorrow" program, funded until 2027 with 4.6 million Euros, aims to help cultural institutions and municipalities create a space for fundamental innovations and resist the urge to revert to the familiar and comfortable.
The "Art and AI" program will help explore the aesthetic potential of Artificial Intelligence technologies and reflect societal impacts artistically. Approximately 3.7 million Euros are available until 2028 for this purpose.
Additionally, the foundation is funding a dance triennale in Hamburg as a new "cultural beacon" in the dance sector. The city was successful in its approach to expanding the aesthetic boundaries of dance. "Hip-hop and Black dance communities, as well as museums, contemporary exhibition spaces, and scientific institutions, will be part of the dance triennale," the statement continues. The first edition is planned for 2026.
Federal Cultural Foundation
- The initiatives by the Stiftungsrat under Cultural State Minister Claudia Roth (Greens) have extended to cultural sites in both Saxony-Anhalt and Berlin, as highlighted by the Federal Cultural Foundation.
- The new funding program, aimed at counteracting pressure on smaller cultural sites, is being implemented in Berlin, part of the broader cultural policy under Claudia Roth.
- The upcoming dance triennale in Hamburg, funded by the Federal Cultural Foundation, will bring together diverse communities such as hip-hop and Black dance communities, museums, and scientific institutions.
- The "Art and AI" program, supported by the Federal Cultural Foundation, will explore the aesthetic potential of Artificial Intelligence technologies and their societal impacts, providing a platform for artistic reflection.
