Bruchwerk Theater in Siegen: A financial ray of hope for the future!

Bruchwerk Theater in Siegen: A financial ray of hope for the future!

An important step for that Bruchwerk Theater in Siegen: The facility will receive institutional funding of 25,000 euros for 2025 and 50,000 euros for 2026. This was decided by the cultural committee and is a crucial step for the future development of the theater. Theater director Milan Pesl emphasizes how important fair working conditions and social security are for employees, as theater operations often fluctuate from project to project and this brings with them uncertainty.

The decision to support is not just a small ray of hope, but a significant step towards establishing the Bruchwerk Theater as an integral part of the cultural and theater landscape in Siegen and the South Westphalia region. The approved funds are part of a larger so-called funding pyramid, which also includes the city of Siegen and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The state has already signaled that it is planning to apply for institutional state funding of around 180,000 euros annually. This necessary financial support is considered essential to ensure the long-term security of the theater.

Political pressure and responsibility

But not everything goes smoothly. A planned funding of 50,000 euros for 2027 was temporarily suspended due to pressure from the CDU parliamentary group. These politically-related restrictions raise questions about how sustainable the theater's funding base actually is. Local politicians are required to assume responsibility beyond election cycles to ensure the stability of the funding pyramid.

We also see that public funding comes with responsibility in the context of other cultural institutions. In Berlin, for example, around 600 million euros flow into the cultural landscape every year berlin.de reported. 95% of the budget is allocated to over 70 permanently institutionally funded cultural institutions, while only 5% is made available for individual and project funding. And behind it is a well-thought-out funding system that prioritizes transparency and procedural fairness.

Future outlook

Securing funding is essential for art and culture in order to continue to ensure a vibrant and diverse cultural scene. The Bruchwerk Theater has the opportunity to further establish itself through the current funding. It is clear that it is not just about financial resources, but also about creating a stable framework for creative work in the theater.

Finally, it is to be hoped that not only the challenges will be overcome, but new ways will also be found to promote and secure cultural diversity in the region. The Bruchwerk Theater could play a pioneering role here if it manages to anchor support sustainably and promote the arts in the spirit of the community.