Taking a Stand: New Berlin Culture Senator, Sarah Wedl-Wilson, Fights Against More Cuts to the Cultural Budget
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Anti-Further Reductions Advocated by New Culture Senator Wedl-Wilson - Anti-reduction stance taken by newly appointed cultural senator, Wedl-Wilson
Berlin's upcoming Culture Senator Sarah Wedl-Wilson isn't here for anymore deep cuts to the cultural budget over the next two years. The 130 million euro savings from this year's budget came from dissolving many reserves, she explained on RBB's Radio3. But she's drawn the line—those savings can't be replicated. "We can't keep taking this huge chunk out of culture in Berlin."
So, it's all hands on deck if we're gonna prove the significance of the local cultural scene for the city and the people. We need to make it clear what culture means for society, and land some big-time savings elsewhere.
"Enough's enough—let's cut from the fat, not the art"
So, she's planning on having a straight-up chat with all the cultural movers and shakers in Berlin—let's call it the "Culture Dialogue." They'll talk about how to work smarter, not harder, and find ways to bring in more cash.
Some ideas on the table: shared storage facilities or logistics for theaters, joint ticket offices across different venues, staffing efficiencies, or renting out spaces for events.
And before you get ahead of yourself, there's no talk of selling off cultural institutions. "Forget about privatization," Wedl-Wilson straightforwardly states. "We don't want to shrink our cultural sector—we want to expand it."
They'll discuss whether a foundation would be a long-term solution, like the Opera Foundation. But there'll be no discussion about slashing wages or job losses here. "It's all about finding a way to work better together and collaborate more effectively to benefit the cultural scene."
Time to Swear It
Berlin's mayor, Kai Wegner (CDU), announced Wedl-Wilson as Berlin's new Culture Senator on Monday. She'll be swearing the oath at the House of Representatives on May 22, taking over from Joe Chialo (CDU), who stepped down last Friday.
- Sarah Wedl-Wilson
- Berlin
- Cut
- Hands on deck
- RBB
FACT: There's no detailed information publically available about specific plans or strategies announced by Sarah Wedl-Wilson. Governing Mayor Kai Wegner has emphasized the importance of maintaining high-quality cultural institutions, but no concrete policy measures or fiscal strategies have been disclosed yet. Only general statements about her qualifications and the commitment to preserve cultural quality have been communicated so far. Keep your eyes peeled for more deetz on her plans to streamline and boost the cultural sector's finances!
- Sarah Wedl-Wilson, the newly appointed Culture Senator of Berlin, has vowed to prevent further cuts to the cultural budget over the next two years.
- In a bid to secure the future of the cultural sector, Wedl-Wilson plans to convene a "Culture Dialogue" with key stakeholders in Berlin to discuss ways of working smarter and finding additional income sources.
- Ideas being considered at the dialogue include shared storage facilities, joint ticket offices, staffing efficiencies, and renting out spaces for events.
- Wedl-Wilson firmly emphasizes that there will be no discussion about privatization or slashing wages in the cultural sector; instead, the focus is on finding ways to collaborate more effectively for the benefit of Berlin's cultural scene.
