Statement by the Coalition of the Independent Scene, developed with Raumbüro Freie Szene, 22.11.2024
The consolidation list of 18.11.2024 with concrete cutback plans aims to create new facts. Cuts of 12 million (Title 68615), 7 million (Title 89122) and 2.275 million (Title 89110) are on the table.
If the threatened cuts scenario is actually implemented, this will not only mean the destruction of Kulturraum Berlin gGmbH (Title 68615), but in the worst case scenario the entire workspace program (ARP), and almost certainly large parts of the ARP. As Raumbüro Freie Szene (RBFS), we will continue to represent the interests of artists in the performing arts, dance, music, literature and project spaces. The existence of the RBFS is not permanently secured and therefore no continuity and sustainable structure is being established here either.
It is unclear what the cut in Title 68615 in particular involves. This may result in the termination of existing contracts for existing locations in the ARP and the loss of a number of existing workspaces in all divisions. As there has been a significant increase in development in the last 4 years since the founding of the Kultur Räume Berlin alliance, especially for the RBFS divisions, almost the entire portfolio or a large part of it – currently 284 spaces – could be threatened by the cuts. Kulturraum Berlin gGmbH is the general tenant of these locations. Due to supply and price increases, among other things, there is a threat of an irreversible loss of several hundred workspaces for all genres. This would affect around 3,000 artists, who would be deprived of their existential working basis in terms of workspaces.
The impact on ARP instruments for the temporary use of rehearsal spaces (by the hour, day or week) such as Kultur Räume Kontingent (KRK) and Kultur Räume Studios (KRS) has also not been clarified. We currently have to assume that the successfully established KRK program will be completely scrapped, as the existing contracts with the space providers will be terminated as early as next week – i.e. by the end of November – with the loss of Kulturraum Berlin gGmbH (KRB) as a contractual partner with the external space providers. We are talking about the loss of 13 locations across the city with a total of over 15,000 hours per year for the provision of temporary rehearsal rooms for the performing arts, dance and music.
Kulturraum Berlin gGmbH itself is the operator of 2 further locations for temporary rehearsal space use in the KRS program. These were opened not too long ago at great expense and investment and form an important basis for rehearsals, especially for music ensembles. With the loss of these locations, the temporary space available as part of the ARP would be reduced to zero. This will have an even more extreme impact on artists due to the cuts in other areas of artist funding.
With cuts in the consolidation list under Title 89122, it is clear that there will no longer be an ARP commitment in future for several locations already clustered for the ARP or in some cases already in the planning phase, including in the area of SODA real estate. The intention here is to switch to a user financing model with the awarding of contracts in competitive procedures. The signs have thus become clearer that no new workspaces will be created in state-owned properties in the future. More than an estimated 500 workspaces in various locations that are in the pipeline or already in planning would then be destroyed in state-owned properties. A fatal signal in terms of sustainable aspects of spatial development and for future generations of Berlin artists.
More destruction is not possible!
In conclusion, it can be said that no details are available on the cuts, e.g. with regard to the across-the-board cut of 12 million in Title 68615. However, these would be urgently needed in order to get a picture of the extent of the cuts and to understand which action steps might need to be taken urgently in order to save at least some areas. Contractual obligations cannot simply be terminated unilaterally without the other party claiming damages. What can be saved also needs an orderly transition, a coordinated transition. It seems that the people in charge had neither an understanding of this nor the will to integrate expertise.
Contact partner: Spokespersons of the Coalition of the Independent Scene
Contact: sk@freieszene.berlin
Expanded advisory services:
In view of the impending cuts to the Berlin budget, we are strengthening the advisory services offered by the Raumbüro Freie Szene for independent artists in the performing arts, dance, literature, music and project spaces.
We suspect that the cuts will have a major impact in many areas – but we don’t know about all of them. So come and talk to us! So that we know the extent of the cuts.
Contact us via e-mail for a telephone/phone appointment:
Lena Mehner | l.mehner@bfsb.info
We collect your personal problem situations and support you with space problems and keep you up to date on the implementation planning of the cuts.statement coalition of the independent scene, prepared with Raumbüro Freie Szene, 22.11.2024