Barbra Klepsch: Saxony's Cultural Budget Ain't Got No More Room to Slash
Contentious Discussion on Budget - Klepsch No Longer Sees Profitable Cost-Cutting Opportunities - Proposals from the Commission have been forwarded to the Council.
Y'all better brace yourself for some straight talk
Barbarra Klepsch, the Culture Minister, reckons the cuts ain't gonna get any deeper in the cultural budget with the proposed double budget for Freestate Saxony in 2025/2026. She told the German Press Agency, "In my line of work, I don't see any more wiggle room to slice without shutting down institutions."
She pressed a caution flag, even for the upcoming parliament debate, about causing a pissing match among institutions. Saxony's cultural landscape deserves preservation, no matter how rocky the road.
Music schools on a steady budget
Stretching her budget to the max to save like never before, it was no walk in the park for her department. "We aimed low and prioritized," said Klepsch. The cultural space funds, totalling €104 million in 2025 and '26, remain untouched. "That means, stakeholders can plan ahead." The music schools, costing €7.87 million, are guaranteed a spot. "It's the foundation for keeping Saxony's musical heritage alive."
Saxony takes care of culture in the municipalities primarily through the unique cultural space law in Germany. The eight cultural spaces decide on the funding of institutions and projects on their own terms. The Free State backs the municipalities up on cultural financing, and the cultural spaces add a surcharge.
Same level for the culture pact
The funds for the so-called culture pact, supporting some theaters and orchestras, stay level in '25/26 at €8.76 million, Klepsch confirmed. That balances out the differences in wage structures among various institutions. Nine houses received an extra €5 million in '23 and '24 due to increased operational, personnel, and material costs. Unfortunately, that rescue package won't be making a come-back. "That’s bad news for the theaters with more costs to come."
Subsidy for the memorial foundation gets reduction, only for this year, and goes back to 100% in '26, given the foundation's development concept calls for a significant increase in personnel. State cultural associations see cuts of 5 to 15%, so fewer projects can make the cut.
Klepsch sets the record straight
"We ain't hacked everything to bits," Klepsch clarified in the face of criticism. Even state-owned enterprises weren't spared. "The budget says, no more filling vacant positions and no project positions either."
"Given the tight purse strings, folks need to put away their wishful thinking," she advised, given the loud criticism and demands before the parliamentary debate. "This here's a transitional budget. Afterwards, we're countin' on the economy to recover and tax revenues to pick up."
Bonus beef:
With budgetary pressures mounting, institutions might face challenges maintaining their current levels of activity. Big events like the night hike through student clubs in Dresden or the band and DJ competition 'Uni Air' could be impacted. Smaller events or student clubs could see higher costs or even shut down. The general prevention of cultural services may limit the availability of programs and events, possibly reducing cultural activity in Saxony overall.
In the face of mounting budgetary pressure, policy changes may affect the continuity of vocational training programs and events, such as the night hike through student clubs in Dresden or the band and DJ competition 'Uni Air'. This could lead to higher costs or even the closure of smaller events or clubs, potentially reducing overall cultural activity in Saxony.
Moreover, impending policy decisions in the realm of policy-and-legislation and politics may significantly impact the availability of cultural services, not just in the realm of vocational training, but across the board in Saxony's general news spectrum.
