Coping with More Cuts? Not on Sarah Wedl-Wilson's Watch as New Berlin Culture Senator
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Anti-reduction stance taken by newly appointed Senator of Culture, Wedl-Wilson - Anti-reduction stance by newly-appointed cultural senator, Wedl-Wilson
Newly appointed Berlin Culture Senator Sarah Wedl-Wilson isn't here for more budget cuts in the cultural sector. The 130 million euro savings this year were a one-time thing, according to this fearless, independent politician. She was candid on RBB's Radio3, stressing, "We can't do this, we can't take this high amount out of Berlin's culture."
To avoid further squeezing the cultural scene in Berlin, it's a daunting job ahead convincing all creative folk to show the ultimate worth of their craft for the city and its people. Yet, she's determined to highlight how essential the cultural sphere is for society at large while looking for areas where art and culture can trim costs, tweak operations, and bring in extra dough.
"Lastly, let's pare down the art?" Not exactly, says Wedl-Wilson.
Instead, she's planning a Culture Dialogue between the Senate and the institutions, realizing it's high time they figure out how to do things differently and better without getting too close to the artistic core. Ideas on the table include shared depots or logistics for theaters, collaborative ticket offices among various houses, and consolidated payroll accounting or services. With a little creativity, cultural venues could rake in more dough by renting out their spaces for events.
Privatization? Don't even get her started. It's a fake news false alarm, insists Wedl-Wilson. The focus is on rethinking work structures for cultural institutions amid this emergency situation. No discussion about wage decreases or job losses, she reiterated. Instead, it's all about collaborating better as a network, be it loosely pushed together or forming a tighter unit. The idea of a long-term foundation is on the table, taking inspiration from the Opera Foundation's successful model.
Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) welcomed Wedl-Wilson as Berlin's new Culture Senator on Monday. The swearing-in ceremony is set for May 22 in the House of Representatives. Wedl-Wilson steps in for Joe Chialo (CDU), who left the post last Friday.
- Sarah Wedl-Wilson
- Berlin
- Cut
- Herculean task
- RBB
To keep Berlin's culture vibrant, Wedl-Wilson may consider looking beyond immediate cost-cutting measures. Strategies such as harnessing technology to save energy, forming partnerships with local organizations, digitalizing services, hosting creative events, and implementing membership programs can bring in additional income. By advocating for the cultural sector and seeking innovative funding models, she can ensure that Berlin's cultural scene remains a thriving part of the city and its society.
- Sarah Wedl-Wilson, the new Berlin Culture Senator, is committed to preventing further budget cuts in the cultural sector, instead aiming to find alternative ways to maintain financial stability.
- In an effort to keep Berlin's cultural scene thriving, Wedl-Wilson has proposed innovations such as shared resources, collaborative services, and creative event rentals to generate additional income.
- Disagreeing with privatization as a solution, Wedl-Wilson emphasizes rethinking work structures and fostering collaboration between cultural institutions in Berlin.
- Apart from cost-cutting measures, Wedl-Wilson may also explore possibilities like energy savings through technology, partnerships with local organizations, digital services, and membership programs to secure the cultural sector's long-term future in Berlin.
