Artistic endeavors receives support - Revitalizing abandoned structures in rural areas.
The Ministry of Culture in North Rhine-Westphalia is financially backing the establishment of 28 cultural hubs in small towns and villages, each receiving up to €450,000 in funding. This is part of the second round of their successful "Third Places" program. The announcement was made during the launch event which took place on Wednesday in Schwete.
Since 2019, 25 such projects have been completed under the first round of funding - examples include a cultural and reading cafe in an unused railway station in Lohne, a community center in a re-purposed horse stable in Kamp-Lintfort, or a revitalized pub transformed into a cultural center in Harsewinkel.
From over 100 submissions, 28 ideas from organizations, community groups, local governments, and volunteers were chosen. These groups aim to create or revitalise spaces for engaging cultural gatherings. For instance, a former village school in Albersloh in Münsterland will become a space for village interactions; it will house association offices and a co-working area instead of classrooms and teachers' quarters. In Elsdorf within the Rheinischen Revier, a cinema is planned to be preserved as a venue for cultural events. In Schwelm, an old brewery abandoned in 2011 is set to become home to a museum, studios, and various associations.
"It's amazing to see how social and cultural unity can thrive in rural areas," stated Culture Minister Ina Brandes (CDU) while addressing the attendees of the Schwete meeting. "Disparate individuals collaborate, create, and take control. This is a live demonstration of democracy," the minister added.
The chosen groups now have a year to craft a viable plan. The initial €50,000 funds will be provided to them. If their proposals are resounding, they may receive the full amount of €450,000. Existing 'Third Places' will continue to receive support from the ministry for an additional 3 years until they can sustain themselves independently.
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