Battling Further Budget Cuts to Berlin's Cultural Scene: Sarah Wedl-Wilson's Firm Stand
Newly Elected Senator Wedl-Wilson Opposes Additional Budget Reductions in Cultural Sector - Anti-reduction stance upheld by newly-appointed cultural senator, Wedl-Wilson
Sarah Wedl-Wilson, the soon-to-be Berlin Cultural Senator, is adamant about resisting additional cuts to the city's cultural budget over the approaching two years. In an interview on RBB's Radio3, she pinpointed this year's savings of 130 million euros as a result of dissolving multiple reserves. However, she believes further savings can't be achieved through this method. "Berlin's culture can't bear another such heavy hit," she stressed.
To avert further financial tightening, Wedl-Wilson emphasized the necessity of joint collaboration with all creative minds in Berlin to emphasize the cultural scene's significance for the city and its citizens. She also underscored the need to find ways where art and culture could cut costs, streamline structures, and generate additional revenue.
"Save where we art don't have to"
To achieve this goal, Wedl-Wilson announced the initiation of a so-called culture dialogue between the Senate and institutions. This dialogue aims to explore innovative ideas, enhancements, and areas with untapped potential to minimize cuts at the expense of art.
Ideas on the table include shared depositories, collaborative logistics for theaters, joint ticket offices of various houses, consolidation of payroll accounting, etc. Venues could also generate extra income by renting out spaces for events.
No Privatization Plans
Wedl-Wilson clarified that there are no plans for privatization. "Privatization is a myth. It's not even on the table in this cultural dialogue," she said. Instead, they are discussing new structures for cultural institutions in the current economic crisis.
She ensured the public that it's not about wage cuts, job losses, or exploitation. "It's about working more effectively together in a network, whether we loosely connect as before, or join forces," she remarked. They are considering the possibility of establishing a foundation in the long term, like the opera foundation, which has proved successful.
Inauguration on May 22
Berlin's mayor, Kai Wegner (CDU), introduced Wedl-Wilson as Berlin's new Cultural Senator on Monday. She is set to be sworn in at the House of Representatives on May 22, succeeding Joe Chialo (CDU), who resigned last Friday.
Wedl-Wilson's approach to managing Berlin's cultural sector involves boosting efficiency, engaging in public-private collaborations, rallying community support, and harnessing digitalization to minimize impact on core cultural activities. However, detailed proposals for her cost-cutting strategies remain to be seen.
- Sarah Wedl-Wilson, the incoming Berlin Cultural Senator, has emphasized the importance of collaborating with all creative minds in Berlin to preserve the city's cultural budget.
- Wedl-Wilson's cultural dialogue aims to explore innovative ideas, such as shared depositories and collaborative logistics for theaters, to minimize budget cuts in the arts sector.
- Wedl-Wilson has clarified that there are no plans for privatization of cultural institutions in Berlin, instead focusing on new structures and public-private collaborations to navigate the current economic crisis.
- In her new role as Berlin's Cultural Senator, Sarah Wedl-Wilson's approach involves boosting efficiency, harnessing digitalization, and rallying community support to minimize impact on core cultural activities.
