With a joint appeal for the “freedom of art”, those responsible for culture in the countries are fighting for the cultural scene in the corona pandemic. “The freedom of artistic production and cultural experience is of the highest social value”, it says in the agreement of the Conference of Culture Ministers, which was presented to the German Press Agency in Berlin on Thursday. This is “to be carefully considered in all pending decisions”. The paper serves as the position of the cultural departments before the Prime Minister’s Conference this Friday, if further pandemic measures are to be dealt with.
The ministers of culture recommend “guidelines for a regionally differentiated approach in the federal states”. The protected freedom of art and culture includes the possibility of producing and receiving art. “That is why open access to cultural offers – also in the amateur sector – is of great value,” says the paper.
Facilities have proven themselves in the crisis
Strict conditions – access only for those who have recovered or have been vaccinated (2G), masks, hygiene concepts, ventilation technology, mandatory testing, distance requirements or upper limits for the public – formed “the basis for maintaining the cultural scene for the public”. From the point of view of the federal state ministries, the facilities have “proven that they are able to guarantee an appropriately safe operation”. They should continue to be supported in this.
“Cultural offers are offers of cultural education”, it continues. “They have just as high a priority as face-to-face schooling.” Accordingly, regulations should also apply to adult and further education offers, as to the entire cultural sector. From the point of view of the ministerial round, cultural offers offer “opportunities for public understanding”. Politically, this has to be taken into account. “Closures of cultural offerings are only justified in extreme emergencies.” They should not take place in isolation, but rather should be integrated into an overall concept that weights the actual effect on the infection process.
Further financial support
The Conference of Ministers of Culture continues to rely on financial support. “Aid for the cultural sector should be continued until an economic stabilization of the cultural sector is no longer necessary as a result of the end of the pandemic-related restrictions.” Access criteria for aid would have to be dynamically adapted to the situation. “If the promised 2.5 billion euros in the special fund are exhausted, additional support must continue to be guaranteed.” (dpa)
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