SPÖ and NEOS fear the cultural desert in Austria – Coronavirus Vienna

The SPÖ and NEOS urgently warned on Thursday of a cultural desert in Austria if the federal government does not finally take over this area. If one continues to ignore the situation of cultural institutions and the event industry, one stands in front of “cultural lunar landscapes,” SPÖ cultural spokesperson Thomas Drozda said in a joint press conference with his colleague from NEOS, Sepp. Schellhorn.

“After six months there is still a total lack of concrete plans,” Drozda complained. The only thing that has happened so far is the establishment of dozens of complex funds, some of which are useless because artists are also punished if they earn their own fees. What is needed is a financial liability for non-compliance from the federal government, financial assistance in the implementation of hygiene concepts and, in general, an intensification of the discourse with cultural workers. “Instead, the politicians pretend that everything is fine.” If something doesn’t happen here soon, the following will apply to the cultural sector: “No one will meet anyone who will survive the pandemic.”

Martin Walch of the musical ensemble Merlin also complained about the fund’s current outlook, which means many empty miles for applicants. In the end, like many others, he would have to get by on about 666 euros a month, from which fees could possibly be deducted. From the political side, however, the “Wall of Silence” continued even after the change of office in the Green State Secretariat for Culture from Ulrike Lunacek to Andrea Mayer. “What would really help us would be a basic income of 1,500 euros,” Walch said. This could be introduced as a test balloon for six months or a year in order to gain general knowledge for such a project: “Artists are generally people who are very good at dealing with money.”

While Drozda described this as a “sensible idea,” culture spokesperson NEOS Schellhorn may also address this idea with a few compromises. “I have a little problem with the term basic income,” he admitted. He prefers “unconditional support”. As a field test, this could amount to 1,000 euros per month, for example, which could then be earned 1,000 euros tax-free.

In general, it is critical that the government finally wakes up from its “summer nap.” “The main problem is that no artistic and cultural strategy is presented alongside the existing aid,” said Schellhorn, who also criticized the outlook for aid funds: “The organizers tell us they are sending them from one pillar to another. Here chaos has broken out. ” Unfortunately, it remains to be said: “This is a government of political amateurs and public relations professionals.”

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