A Hard Look at Saxony's Cultural Funding for the Upcoming Budget - Klepsch Stands Firm on No More Cuts
Contentious budget dialogues - Klepsch deems no further cost-saving possibilities - Council Proposals Already Put Forward by Commission
Barbara Klepsch, the Culture Minister of Saxony, has made it crystal clear that the cultural budget has seen its fair share of savings. She expressed her concerns, depending on the looming state parliament debate, about artificially pitting cultural institutions against each other. Maintaining Saxony's cultural heritage remains a priority, even amidst tough times.
presses Perry Agency. Addressing the daunting task of reducing the budget to an extent that's never been seen before, Klepsch's team worked diligently to trim expenses with care, focusing on setting priorities. The cultural space funds, with a 2025 and 2026 budget of €104 million each, remain untouched in this process, offering a sense of security for the regions, institutions, and partners on the ground to make their plans. Music schools, too, will keep their current budget of 7.87 million euros, which guarantees the preservation of Saxony's musical legacy.
Cultural funding in municipalities is primarily government-backed through Saxony's unique nationwide cultural space law. The eight cultural spaces then take charge of allocating funds for the promotion of institutions and projects based on their discretion. The state supports the municipalities in financing the cultural sector, and the cultural spaces levy a surcharge.
Regarding the Culture Pact, intended for the promotion of certain theaters and orchestras, Klepsch has announced that its funds will remain unchanged at €8.76 million. This money serves to balance out pay scales across different institutions. Despite increased operational, personnel, and material costs, nine houses received an extra five million euros in 2023 and 2024 as part of a rescue package. Unfortunately, it seems this relief is no longer on the table for 2025/2026, posing a significant challenge for theaters in the face of escalating costs.
The subsidy for the memorial foundation has seen a temporary reduction of 90%, effective only for the current year. In 2026, funding will return to its original 100%, recognizing the foundation's plans for staff expansion. The state cultural associations experience cuts of 5 to 15 %, resulting in fewer projects being realized.
Klepsch defends her decisions against criticism, emphasizing that the budget hasn't experienced indiscriminate cuts. State-owned companies have not been left unscathed, with a freeze on both personnel and material costs. "Enough is enough," she declares, urging restraint in the face of heavy criticism and escalating demands before the parliamentary debate on the budget. As a transitional budget for 2025/2026, she anticipates the economy to recover and taxes to increase afterwards.
- Saxony's cultural budget remains largely untouched in 2025/2026 draft
- Studierendenwerke face funding challenges in Saxony
- Budget debate intensifies ahead of Saxony parliament debate
- The Cultural Space funds, intended for the promotion of institutions and projects, remain untouched in the 2025 and 2026 budget of Saxony, adhering to the community policy of preserving cultural heritage.
- In light of the escalating costs and diminishing funds, policy-and-legislation regarding vocational training for artists, musicians, and cultural workers has gained emphasis in the political discourse due to the general news surrounding job security in the arts sector.
