DRESDEN CUTS WHAT IT LIVES ON
Dresden thrives on its culture – not only on its major institutions, but also on the many independent initiatives, associations and projects that have shaped the city’s cultural life
for decades. They create places for people to meet, enable cultural participation for all generations and ethnic groups, and contribute significantly to the city’s appeal and democratic vitality.
The signatories call on the city council of the state capital Dresden to withdraw the planned existential cuts to the independent cultural scene and the drastic cuts to municipal cultural institutions for the year 2026, and to ensure the continued existence of a diverse, independent and citizen-supported cultural landscape in the long term. Independent culture achieves outstanding things: it ensures professional cultural offerings and at the same time mobilizes a high level of voluntary commitment, it works experimentally, combines art with education, promotes young talent, responds flexibly to social changes and strengthens social cohesion in the city’s districts. Every cut therefore affects not only individual projects and associations, but the foundation of cultural diversity as a whole.
If the announced 25% cut were to go ahead, some institutions in the fields of film, performing and visual arts, music, literature, cultural education, and neighbourhood and socio-culture would lose their funding entirely, while many other institutions, which are already chronically underfunded, would no longer be able to maintain their infrastructure and services.
Cutting culture on this scale strikes at the heart of the city – and saves little in the process. It would affect not only those working in the cultural sector, but all citizens of this city. The cuts destroy resources, take away creative educational spaces for children, rob neighborhoods of places to meet and deprive artists of the basis for strengthening social cohesion through their work. Especially in times of crisis, Dresden needs investment in community and creativity, not restrictions on them. A sustainable city recognizes culture as a public service – as a catalyst for coexistence, reflection and shaping our common future. The same applies to the civic engagement of independent organizations in the social, sports and youth sectors.
We therefore demand:
- The abandonment of planned cuts to the 2026 culture budget
- The guarantee of long-term, reliable funding structures for independent organizations
- A broad dialogue with representatives of the independent scene to develop a solidarity
based and sustainable culture budget - The recognition of the achievements of independent organizations in the fields of social
affairs, sport and youth, and the reversal of the planned cuts in these areas
Culture is not a voluntary service – it is a shared responsibility. It is a key factor in
social coexistence – today and in the future.
What can you do? What can you do?
1. sign, share and forward the petition.
Link: https://loom.ly/L005boA
2. share the posts on all channels 2. Share the posts on your channels
Instagram, Facebook, Threads, LinkedIn, X/Twitter – every post helps to create visibility.
Please use the hashtag: #GemeinsamFürKulturDD
3. inform your networks and partner institutions. 3. inform your networks and partner institutions.
The more widely the appeal is shared, the stronger the signal to city politicians.
The more widely the appeal is shared, the stronger the signal to city politicians.
Why this is important now:
The announced cuts would not only affect individual projects or independent and municipal institutions, but also the foundation of our cultural infrastructure:
– cultural participation for children and young people
– district and socio-culture
– independent arts in all their disciplines
– civic engagement
– experimental, innovative cultural work
– places of encounter and social cohesion
Why this is important now:
The announced cuts would not only affect individual projects, but also the foundation of our cultural infrastructure:
– cultural participation for children and young people
– neighborhood and socio-culture
– the independent arts in all their forms
– civic engagement
– experimental, innovative cultural work
– places of encounter and social cohesion
With this petition, we are sending a joint signal for the preservation of a diverse, vibrant and united cultural landscape in Dresden. Together, we can increase the pressure, create publicity and make it clear how central culture is to the life and future of our city.
With this petition, we are sending a joint message in support of preserving a diverse, vibrant, and united cultural landscape in Dresden. Together, we can increase pressure, raise public awareness, and make it clear how central culture is to the life and future of our city.
Thank you very much for your support and commitment!
cordially
Frank Eckhardt
Managing and artistic director
Tel.: +49 351 866 02 25