Sharpening Her Quill: Senator Wedl-Wilson Speaks Against Deep Cuts in Berlin's Cultural Sector
Opponent Senator Wedl-Wilson Stands Firm Against Additional Budget Reductions - Anti-Further Reductions Advocated by New Cultural Senator, Wedl-Wilson
Sarah Wedl-Wilson, Berlin's future culture senator, is adamant about avoiding further drastic budget cuts to the cultural sector over the next two years. In a candid radio interview with RBB's Radio3, she voiced her concerns, stating that the recent 130 million euro savings were accomplished through the dismantling of reserves, but expressed that further reductions are not feasible.
"It's an almighty task [sic]," Wedl-Wilson declared, emphasizing the necessity of collaboration with all cultural creators in Berlin to highlight the vital role of the creative scene in the city and its people. While she recognizes the need to discover areas where art and culture can optimize costs and increase revenue, she is resolute that cuts should be the last resort, aiming instead for smart spending and cooperation.
The cultural sector in Berlin is in dire need of a solution, and Wedl-Wilson has proposed a number of innovative ideas to achieve financial stability. She is considering shared depots, joint logistics systems, collaboration on ticket offices, and pooled payroll accounting among cultural institutions as potential avenues for increased income. Moreover, she has suggested that houses could generate additional revenue by renting their spaces for events.
Privatization, she claims, is off the table. "Forget about privatization," Wedl-Wilson insistently affirmed. Instead, the focus will be on determining long-term structures for cultural institutions against the backdrop of the current emergency. Wedl-Wilson stressed that her intentions are not to force wage cuts or job losses, but to promote cooperation and collaboration within a network of institutions. The possibility of a foundation model, similar to the opera foundation, has been proposed as a long-term solution.
Berlin's recently appointed Governing Mayor, Kai Wegner (CDU), introduced Wedl-Wilson as the city's new culture senator on Monday. Her inauguration is set for May 22 at the House of Representatives, following the resignation of Joe Chialo (CDU) last Friday.
With her extensive background as a cultural manager and former Rector of the Hanns Eisler School of Music, Wedl-Wilson brings a wealth of experience to the table. The challenge ahead lies in finding creative, sustainable solutions to maintain the integrity and quality of Berlin's cultural sector, without compromising on art.
- Senator Wedl-Wilson, in her recently proposed employment policy, intends to promote cooperation and collaboration within a network of cultural institutions, aiming to prevent wage cuts and job losses.
- In her inauguration speech as Berlin's culture senator, Wedl-Wilson pointed out the necessity of smart spending and the exploration of innovative ideas, such as shared depots and joint logistics systems, to increase the cultural sector's income.
- Despite the need for budget cuts, Wedl-Wilson firmly opposes the privatization of cultural institutions, instead advocating for long-term structures that prioritize the preservation of Berlin's cultural heritage.
- In the ongoing discourse about policy and legislation related to Berlin's cultural sector, Senator Wedl-Wilson consistently highlights the vital role of the creative scene in the city and its people, emphasizing the need for community involvement in shaping the city's future policies.
