Statement presenters network Tanzproduzent:innen Konferenz NRW

We - the Tanzproduzent:innen-Konferenz NRW (TPK) - are an association of dance organisers and dance venues from nine cities (Bonn, Düsseldorf, Essen, Cologne, Krefeld, Mülheim, Münster, Wuppertal, Viersen) in NRW. Together, we organise the biennial tanz nrw festival and also form a network that supports the independent dance scene in NRW, gives it visibility and presence and also establishes nationwide collaborations.

In this function, we work very closely with NRW artists and independent dance companies and we have just celebrated the excellence, innovative strength and diversity of this scene with the 10th edition of the tanz nrw festival, which has been significantly supported by the state of NRW since its inception.

Thanks to the consistently high quality and a shared perspective, it is possible to draw attention to the festival - and thus also to the artists from NRW - beyond the regional borders. Innovation is created through the courage to experiment and trust in art. Both organisers and artists make a decisive contribution to ensuring that the festival continues to provide new experiences for the audience - and the quality of both (production) sides is essential for this. This quality is also made possible by stable funding practices. We see this as being jeopardised at the moment. The local authorities represented in the TPK have also been involved in this special association, in some cases from the very beginning - and it is precisely against this background that they express their solidarity with the independent dance scene.

We are very concerned about the cultural policy decisions that have already hit NRW's independent dance scene hard in autumn 2024 with the discontinuation of funding for the internationale tanzmesse nrw and iDAS NRW, as well as the current developments regarding the multi-year funding structures.

Although top-level and excellence funding in dance was not yet the subject of the resolutions due to the ongoing funding period, the events in the theatre and children's and youth theatre sectors leave us deeply concerned and alarmed. The fact that some of the announced austerity measures were mitigated and adjusted at the last session of the state parliament does nothing to change this.

Art production in the independent performing arts takes place in a complex, interdependent network of artists, organisers, partners and the public. It is essentially made financially possible by the public sector - here too in an often mutually dependent structure of funding from local authorities, the state and the federal government, with state funding undoubtedly playing a key role.

The municipalities and municipal organisations represented in the TPK are directly affected by the difficult financial savings requirements. Moreover, it cannot be assumed that the municipalities will be able to compensate for the lack of state funding.

We need not emphasise that the work of our art form can only draw a very small part of its income from freely generated funds, as it is not aimed at broad audiences, commercial trends and fashions. It is critical per se, not always easy to consume, deliberately aims to create friction, question the familiar and open up new horizons of experience. It captivates through uncompromisingness, dedication, openness and the desire to bring people into dialogue and exchange. This is precisely why it is indispensable against the backdrop of current social developments.

Do not jeopardise NRW's pioneering role by making cuts!

Over the years, the NRW Ministry of Culture has established itself as a national pioneer through its well thought-out funding architecture, has stood up for artists and independent cultural organisations and has systematically supported them. We urge you not to jeopardise these achievements. The entire scene is affected by the current threat of cuts and the consequences in all areas would be enormous.

We appeal to Culture Minister Ina Brandes to reverse the cuts that have been decided and to ensure the preservation and expansion of consistent, interlocking funding structures - for the planning security of artists, ensembles, theatres and event organisers.

On the part of the undersigned, we strongly urge a transparent presentation of how the Ministry of Culture's concept for the independent performing arts - especially in the field of dance - is organised in perspective. We call for the Ministry to disclose which content and structural priorities are planned. We also expect it to be explained how effective and sustainable support for the independent performing arts is to be guaranteed. We also strongly urge a clear presentation of the future visions for this area.

For a strong independent (dance) scene in NRW!

Daniela Ebert, Theater im Ballsaal und Karel Vanĕk, Tanzgenerator BONN
Ingrida Gerbutavičiūtė und Stefan Schwarz, tanzhaus nrw DÜSSELDORF
Stefan Hilterhaus, PACT Zollverein ESSEN
Slava Gepner, Tanzfaktur KÖLN
Dr. Katharine Leiska und Dorothee Monderkamp, Kulturbüro der Stadt Krefeld / Fabrik Heeder KREFELD
Leonie Arnold, Ringlokschuppen Ruhr MÜLHEIM AN DER RUHR
Till Wyler von Ballmoos, Theater im Pumpenhaus MÜNSTER
Petra Barabasch, Kulturabteilung der Stadt VIERSEN
Dr. Bettina Paust, Kulturbüro Wuppertal // Pascal Merighi und Tusnelda Mercy, Tanzstation Barmer Bahnhof WUPPERTAL
Heike Lehmke, nrw landesbuero tanz