Quo vadis ars?
The situation in the cultural sector has been
described and discussed in numerous interviews, corona diaries,
comments and reports in the past few weeks. Our annotated
collection
of currently 193 sources
gathers voices from different sectors and media.
This creates a picture of the cultural landscape in crisis,
whose temporal transformation can be explored interactively
via a dedicated
tag cloud.
»Das ist kein Neustart, das ist der Tod auf Raten« . Konzertveranstalter und Corona
»This is not a fresh start, this is living on borrowed time« . concert organizers and Corona
by Benjamin Fischer (17 Aug 2020)
Original source: Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
Stephan Thanscheidt is co-head of FKP Scorpio. The company, with around 350 employees in 11 countries, is not only one of the largest festival organizers in Europe, but last year the company hosted around 3000 concerts by more or less well-known musicians - including superstars such as Ed Sheeran and David Guetta. Thanscheidt is primarily responsible for the organization of the festivals. In the summer, he usually spends more time at festivals than at his desk. This is important in order to keep a feel for the wishes and expectations of the visitors.
In March and April, FKP Scorpio continued to plan the summer events. Although there was already a bad feeling during the lockdown, but without a long-term cancellation by the authorities, the company had no choice but to postpone the festivals for the time being in order not to lose insurance coverage. This was an enormous effort, as events and the corresponding tickets had to be rebooked time and again. The advertising was reissued, only to announce the next postponement.
The industry, which even during the economic crisis of 2009 had hardly any loss of revenue, now faces completely new challenges. Short-time work and home offices have been completely unknown until now. Although there are regular digital meetings, it is difficult to realize joint creative work. Especially for the ten trainees, the situation is more than unsatisfactory, as they are currently only getting to know parts of the planned areas of responsibility.
In the summer, the industry has prepared itself for a standstill until Christmas. If no events are possible next year either, many companies are on the verge of closure. Although the public and politicians have the impression at the moment that the drive-in cinema concerts or other events will bring money back into the coffers, according to Thanscheidt, this is not a matter of income to be taken seriously, but rather of "living on borrowed time". FKP Scorpio has been running a solid business in recent years and can still fall back on reserves. If, however, no festivals with normal capacity can be held next year, FKP Scorpio will also be in trouble. Read More Read Less
In March and April, FKP Scorpio continued to plan the summer events. Although there was already a bad feeling during the lockdown, but without a long-term cancellation by the authorities, the company had no choice but to postpone the festivals for the time being in order not to lose insurance coverage. This was an enormous effort, as events and the corresponding tickets had to be rebooked time and again. The advertising was reissued, only to announce the next postponement.
The industry, which even during the economic crisis of 2009 had hardly any loss of revenue, now faces completely new challenges. Short-time work and home offices have been completely unknown until now. Although there are regular digital meetings, it is difficult to realize joint creative work. Especially for the ten trainees, the situation is more than unsatisfactory, as they are currently only getting to know parts of the planned areas of responsibility.
In the summer, the industry has prepared itself for a standstill until Christmas. If no events are possible next year either, many companies are on the verge of closure. Although the public and politicians have the impression at the moment that the drive-in cinema concerts or other events will bring money back into the coffers, according to Thanscheidt, this is not a matter of income to be taken seriously, but rather of "living on borrowed time". FKP Scorpio has been running a solid business in recent years and can still fall back on reserves. If, however, no festivals with normal capacity can be held next year, FKP Scorpio will also be in trouble. Read More Read Less
tag Konzertveranstalter Festivals Versicherung Planungssicherheit Exit-Strategie Auszubildende Music Beitrag
Durchs Raster gefallen . Kulturschaffende in Coronakrise
Fallen through the cracks . the arts community during Corona crisis
by Sabine Seifert (29 Jul 2020)
Original source: taz
Three months after an initial conversation about her personal situation as an artist during the lockdown, Sabine Seifert meets again with a singer, a visual artist, an actor and a museum educator to talk with them about their experiences during the Corona crisis.
The working conditions for the artists are still all but optimal, as the hygiene rules for all cultural fields of work entail restrictions. Many people appreciate the social network that is provided in Germany. Emergency aid and basic security have helped them to survive the last few months financ ially. However, applications for basic security have only increased by about a quarter. Due to the bad aura of basic security called Hartz IV, many people were reluctant to apply.
Even the applications for solo self-employed persons do not take into account the living and working conditions of artists even after three months. Seifert critically observes that in many federal states the cost of living may not be regarded as operating costs, but also the fact that in the second round applications may only be made by tax or accountants is completely ignoring the reality of small and medium-sized enterprises. Although the profession of an artist is fundamentally associated with uncertainty, the general conditions have currently changed radically. No one can predict with certainty how the pandemic will develop. When again which event format will be possible.
Olaf Zimmermann, Managing Director of the German Cultural Council, points out that the working structures on the cultural market have changed in recent years. Although there are fewer artists, there are more solo self-employed people in the field of cultural education, management and technology. Cultural policy has failed to counteract the precarious structures that have emerged here. Basically, according to Olaf Zimmermann, one should think about whether the classic concept of the entrepreneur still applies to artists and cultural workers - especially since they make an important contribution to society. Read More Read Less
Even the applications for solo self-employed persons do not take into account the living and working conditions of artists even after three months. Seifert critically observes that in many federal states the cost of living may not be regarded as operating costs, but also the fact that in the second round applications may only be made by tax or accountants is completely ignoring the reality of small and medium-sized enterprises. Although the profession of an artist is fundamentally associated with uncertainty, the general conditions have currently changed radically. No one can predict with certainty how the pandemic will develop. When again which event format will be possible.
Olaf Zimmermann, Managing Director of the German Cultural Council, points out that the working structures on the cultural market have changed in recent years. Although there are fewer artists, there are more solo self-employed people in the field of cultural education, management and technology. Cultural policy has failed to counteract the precarious structures that have emerged here. Basically, according to Olaf Zimmermann, one should think about whether the classic concept of the entrepreneur still applies to artists and cultural workers - especially since they make an important contribution to society. Read More Read Less
tag Soforthilfe Grundsicherung Solidarität Verdi bbk Elisabeth Anschütz Sascha Oliver Bauer Ka Bomhardt Wilko Reinhold Olaf Zimmermann All sections Bericht
Solo-Selbständige: Unter Verdacht
Freelancers: Under suspicion
by Karin Finkenzeller (14 Jun 2020)
Original source: Zeit
The uncertainty related to the application for emergency aid is affecting many creative artists and cultural workers. As the regulations were initially all but transparent, it was not clearly communicated that it is not possible to apply for entrepreneurial salaries in every German federal state. Now, there hangs the accusation in the air, that artists are obtaining benefits from the state by fraud, which the state awarded far too carelessly. Rainer Bode, cultural advisor in Münster, and a few fellow campaigners have therefore sent an appeal for remediation to the B undestag Committee for Culture.
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tag Soforthilfe Solo-Selbständige Existenzangst Vera Klima All sections Bericht
»Erwerbstätige dritter Klasse« . Soloselbstständige fühlen sich von Koalition im Stich gelassen
»Third-class employees« . The freelancers feel abandoned by the coalition
by Anja Müller, Frank Specht (07 Jun 2020)
Original source: Handelsblatt
Many solo self-employed people in the cultural and creative industries had high hopes for the new economic stimulus package of the German government. These remained largely unfulfilled. As before, the cost of living and thus an entrepreneur's salary cannot be claimed. For many self-employed persons, the only option left is to apply for the basic social care 'Hartz IV'. Last Friday, the Federal Council passed a resolution to support self-employed artists and media workers. It demands that at least they be granted a flat monthly subsidy to compensate for the lo ss of income.
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tag Konjunkturpaket Hartz IV Bundesrat Solo-Selbständige All sections Bericht
Schauspielerin Stephanie Lexer über Art ist relevant . Wie wichtig ist Kunst?
Actress Stephanie Lexer on the initiative Art is relevant . How essential is art?
by Stephanie Lexer (31 May 2020)
Original source: Nachrichten München
Art and culture are constantly present in our everyday life. Whether it is the music we listen to on the radio, the series we watch in the evening or the book we read. During the Corona crisis many of the actors felt to exist under the radar. Not only were art and culture not considered to be systemically relevant, individuals also felt that their work was not appreciated. The initiative "Art is relevant" sees this as a symptom of our time, which is reinforced by the Corona crisis. The appreciation for art and culture is declining more and more in the present. This must change! At the same time, however, the industry must also become aware that it has a decisive influence on the way society thinks and acts and thus also has the responsibility to think about what our world should look like.
The actress Stephanie Lexer is co-initiator of the initiative "Art is relevant", which, however, does not want to see itself as a pure Corona initiative, but will also be committed to the interests of art and culture beyond that. One example is the critical questioning of online offerings. Often the impression arises that the work of artists of all disciplines can be regarded as a hobby that can easily be made available online. However, this is also a profession with which one has to earn a living. Read More Read Less
The actress Stephanie Lexer is co-initiator of the initiative "Art is relevant", which, however, does not want to see itself as a pure Corona initiative, but will also be committed to the interests of art and culture beyond that. One example is the critical questioning of online offerings. Often the impression arises that the work of artists of all disciplines can be regarded as a hobby that can easily be made available online. However, this is also a profession with which one has to earn a living. Read More Read Less
tag Systemrelevanz Wertschätzung Onlineangebote Filmproduktion Stephanie Lexer Kulturförderung All sections Video-Interview
Kein »Zurück auf Los« für die Kultur
No »Go back to square one« for culture
by Gero Schließ (30 May 2020)
Original source: Deutsche Welle
Beside aviation, tourism and gastronomy, the pandemic has hit culture hardest. The cultural and creative industries are still waiting for the saving stimulus package that will compensate for the consequences and maintain the infrastructure. What is already foreseeable: the damage in the cultural sector is gigantic and it will have long-term effects. Part of the problem is the large number of employees who live on the edge of the subsistence level and have no reserves. This raises the fundamental cultural-political question of how to improve the situation after the crisis .
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tag Konjunkturpaket Mini-Jobs prekäre Lebenslage kulturelle Infrastruktur All sections Kommentar
Ohne Lesungen, Publikum und Geld . Literarische Debüts in Zeiten von Corona
Without readings, audience and money . Making literary debuts in the times of Corona
by Kristine Harthauer (06 Apr 2020)
Original source: SWR 2
Authors finance themselves primarily through readings. If these were canceled due to the corona pandemic, it is a financial loss. However, the debutants are particularly affected. Since they do not yet have a regular readership, they are now barely able to find a place on the market. With online offers, you can only reach those you already know.
tag Roman Debüt Lesungen Onlineangebote Literature/ Text Bericht
Nicht geschenkt! . Kinderbuchautor gegen Kostenloskultur im Netz
Not gratuitous! . Children's Book Writer against Free Online Offers
by Salah Naoura, Eckhard Roelcke (25 Mar 2020)
Original source: Deutschlandfunk Kultur
tag Kinderbuch Onlineangebote dtv Verlag Lesungen Honorar Salah Naoura Buchbranche Literature/ Text Interview
»Eine Konventionalstrafe ist in jedem guten Vertrag enthalten« . Geldsorgen der Kunst
»A contractual penalty is included in every good contract« . Money worries of art
by Eva-Maria Magl (13 Mar 2020)
Original source: Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
tag Theater Kino Schließungen Kulturszene Frankfurt Performing Arts/ Cinema Bericht
Kreatives Kulturleben in Zeiten von Corona
Creative cultural live in times of Corona
by Torsten Landsberg, Sertan Sanderson (12 Mar 2020)
Original source: Deutsche Welle
With the beginning of the corona crisis, concerts were canceled worldwide and cultural institutions had to close. This does not prevent orchestras and ensembles from playing. Streaming live from concert halls and living rooms worldwide. That doesn't just apply to classical music. For example, the Italian singer Gianna Nannini surprised her fans with a house concert as a measure against corona loneliness.
The situation is unique. Even Geoffry Wharton, who has worked as concertmaster with the Gürzenich Orchestra in Cologne for 30 years, cannot remember a co mparable wave of concert cancellations. In this situation, he is particularly worried about his freelance colleagues, who cannot survive such a wave of cancellations economically for long. Read More Read Less
The situation is unique. Even Geoffry Wharton, who has worked as concertmaster with the Gürzenich Orchestra in Cologne for 30 years, cannot remember a co mparable wave of concert cancellations. In this situation, he is particularly worried about his freelance colleagues, who cannot survive such a wave of cancellations economically for long. Read More Read Less
