Interviewing Sarah Wedl-Wilson: Fighting Further Cuts to Berlin's Cultural Sector
Opposing Additional Budget Reductions Advocated by the Newly Appointed Cultural Senator Wedl-Wilson - Senator Wedl-Wilson protests proposed reductions in cultural funding
Sarah Wedl-Wilson, Berlin's soon-to-be Culture Senator, isn't down with slashing the cultural budget any further. In a chat with Radio3 RBB, she voiced her disapproval of the hefty 130 million euros worth of cuts this year, but said that more is simply unacceptable. "Enough is enough," she exclaimed, "We can't gobble up culture in Berlin like that!"
Now, she's facing a colossal task— rallying all Berlin's cultural creators to demonstrate the pivotal role and profound value of culture in the city and its populace. At the same time, she's eager to unearth where art and culture can pinch pennies, streamline operation, and boost income.
"Let's whittle away at the art and not elsewhere"
To tackle this tricky balancing act, Wedl-Wilson proposed a "cultural dialogue" with institutional stakeholders. She's brainstorming innovative solutions, like shared depots, joint logistics, co-located ticketing hubs, consolidated payroll services, and renting out spaces for events to generate extra dough.
No Privatization: Just a Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Change
Contrary to the blown-out-of-proportion rumors, she insists this isn't about privatization. "Privatization? Pffft! It's as actual as a three-legged donkey," she quipped. Instead, she's thinking long and hard about what shape the cultural institutions of tomorrow will take, given the current PR crisis.
Her bold statement echoes Mayor Kai Wegner's call for a someone who "listens and chats it up with cultural creators." As such, she's evidently intent on collaborating with stakeholders to master the financial hurdles without turfing the cultural scene.
No Job Cuts or Wage Dumps
One thing she's quick to clarify is that this is absolutely not about firing people or slashing wages. "Straight up, it's not like we're firing folks or slashing wages. No way, Jose!" she said, stressing the importance of community relations. Rather, this is about finding ways to collaborate and consolidate so that expensive inefficiencies can be trimmed.
Sworn In on May 22 – Changing the Tone
Mayor Kai Wegner introduced Wedl-Wilson as Berlin's new Culture Senator on Monday. She's scheduled to be sworn in on May 22 in the House of Representatives, replacing Joe Chialo (CDU), who recently stepped down.
- Sarah Wedl-Wilson
- Berlin
- Cuts
- Dialogue
- Collaboration
- Radio3 RBB
- Sarah Wedl-Wilson, Berlin's upcoming Culture Senator, has voiced her opposition to further cuts in the cultural budget and deems additional cuts unacceptable, as she called out, "Enough is enough."
- Wedl-Wilson plans to hold a "cultural dialogue" with Berlin's institutional stakeholders, seeking innovative solutions such as shared depots, joint logistics, co-located ticketing hubs, consolidated payroll services, and renting out spaces for events to boost income.
- Contrary to rumors, Wedl-Wilson has stated that this is not about privatization, but about finding alternatives to trim expensive inefficiencies without affecting the cultural scene or employment policies.
- Following her introduction by Mayor Kai Wegner on Monday, Sarah Wedl-Wilson is set to be sworn in as Berlin's Culture Senator on May 22 in the House of Representatives.
