Vienna is investing 325 million euros for creative cultural diversity in 2024!

Vienna is investing 325 million euros for creative cultural diversity in 2024!

In times of economic uncertainty, Vienna places particular emphasis on art and culture. Emphasized in a special debate about the 2024 financial statements City Councilor for Culture and Science, Mag.a Veronica Kaup-Hasler, the importance of a reliable cultural policy to strengthen the city's creative diversity. The cultural budget for 2024 is set at around 325 million euros, which represents a correction against inflation and aims to buffer the challenges of inflation and social polarization.

Kaup-Hasler informed the plenary session about the progress of the Cultural Strategy 2030, which is being implemented in the city. This strategy includes eight fields of action that aim to ensure affordable culture, inclusive participation, diversity and equal opportunities. The city is obliged to continue the fair pay initiative and strengthen cultural participation for all citizens.

Innovative projects and initiatives

The introduction of theYOUNG THEATER VIENNA, which is scheduled to launch in fall 2024. This project aims to offer productions for young audiences in five different city districts and thus promote cultural sustainability. Kaup-Hasler also emphasized that the new one will open soonPrater Museumin March 2024, which impresses with sustainable wooden construction and modern technologies. The museum will double the historical exposure of the Vienna Prater and offer a non-consumption foyer as a meeting point.

In addition, the “Schönberg 150” anniversary will be celebrated in 2024, which the city supports in order to make the famous composer Arnold Schönberg and new music accessible to a broad audience.

Cultural policy as a social pillar

Kaup-Hasler explained that culture is not just a leisure activity, but an essential good that sustainably strengthens democracy, the quality of life and the economic power of Vienna. In order to meet the needs of a growing city, dialogue conferences and workshops were held to develop the cultural strategy. The results show a clear focus on accessibility and social security in the cultural sector.

The cultural framework for action was additionally reinforced by the current budget situation. Loud Cultural report 2023 The constant budget increase shows a clear improvement in the financial resources of cultural projects, even if the amount does not reach the 2009 level. The share of culture in the total budget is currently 0.84%, which represents a small decrease.

In total, millions of euros flowed into basic supplies for cultural institutions as well as numerous initiatives that promote both sustainability and greater visibility of diversity in the cultural sector. Those responsible for culture demand that the focus remains on measures to strengthen the art and culture scene in order to secure Vienna's cultural infrastructure at a high level.