Positions for NRW
For the NRW state parliament elected in May 2022, the NRW Landesbüro has compiled a list of the current requirements for the independent performing arts. This page outlines our positions for NRW.
NRW boasts a very rich and professional independent theatre, dance and performance scene, which is characteristic for the cultural landscape of this federal state.
Ensuring minimum fees: the NRW Cultural Code is committed to fair fee standards for independent artists. In order to be able to pay minimum fees consistently, project funding pools must grow accordingly.
Understanding minimum fees as just that: a minimum fee recommendation defines the absolute lower limit. Artists whose careers are already more advanced should be able to charge higher fees accordingly.
Developing jobs that are subject to social security contributions: permanent employment is important for the independent scene, too; permanent jobs with fair wages should be created and expanded in state-funded institutions in order to stabilise the scene’s infrastructures in the long term.
Addressing social issues at the federal level: the commitment of the previous state government at the federal level to labour and social policy issues for artists (KSK, unemployment insurance, pension schemes etc.) must be continued.
Expanding conceptual funding: as the first level of funding extending over more than one year, conceptual funding is a huge leap towards improved security and sustainable artistic development. It needs to be expanded as a stable support resource!
Expanding the funding for guest performances: the funding landscape shows a gap when it comes to the circulation of productions beyond the first performances. The guest performance funding based at nrw landesbuero tanz is too small to accommodate all of NRW.
Facilitating revivals: currently, revival funding only exists due to the pandemic. This funding gap means that outstanding productions aren’t shown often enough and are primarily staged at established venues in metropolitan areas.
Improving the staffing and infrastructure of independent venues: venues and production studios are crucial hubs for the entire scene to function. These venues need to be supported, as they are unable to meet the demand adequately with existing resources.
Consolidating production-independent funding models: the NRW artists’ grant was a helpful instrument in the crisis and exemplary when it came to bureaucratic processing. After the pandemic, too, direct funding for artists will be required to enable diverse forms of artistic activities.
