Art needs space: for courage, for new ideas, for experimentation, for failure, for solidarity, for diversity, for networks, and for artistic development. That is precisely what our campaign seeks to highlight. It presents artists in their real working environments and makes visible what cultural policy often overlooks: independent art does not emerge in a vacuum. It requires spaces, time, infrastructure, and reliable funding.
The independent performing arts are a central pillar of Hamburg’s cultural landscape. They work in aesthetically innovative, transdisciplinary, and socially engaged ways. They activate urban spaces, collaborate with diverse communities, create access to cultural participation, and make a tangible contribution to an open and inclusive urban society.
We are aware that Hamburg’s budget situation is shaped by pressure to cut spending. At the same time, the independent scene has long reached a point where further concessions would result in a real loss of substance. The economic situation of freelance artists is precarious. The 2023 study commissioned by DfdK and funded by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM) identified a clear need for political action. While this has been partially addressed in the restructuring of funding frameworks, it has not yet been sufficiently implemented. It is important to acknowledge that the cultural authorities have taken decisive steps with the introduction of the rehearsal space fund, continuity funding, and co-financing schemes. This is exactly where the campaign connects: what has been initiated must now be secured, sustained, and further developed.
For this reason, we cannot retreat from our demands. Culture is part of the democratic foundation of urban society. The independent scene engages in outreach cultural work, brings art into new spaces, fosters encounters, and counters social fragmentation. Artistic freedom does not exist in the abstract—it depends on concrete conditions: spaces, resources, time, and stable structures. When these foundations erode, the freedom of art is materially undermined.
Our top priority is therefore the preservation of the rehearsal space fund. Art needs space—quite literally. Affordable rehearsal spaces are a basic prerequisite for professional artistic work. They enable rehearsals, research, training, restaging, and the further development of artistic practices. As already noted by DfdK, the lack of affordable rehearsal spaces is a key weakness in Hamburg’s funding landscape, and market-level rents cannot be covered within the limited funding budgets.
At the same time, defending a single instrument is not enough. The structural challenges are broader. The independent performing arts need reliable structures and funding mechanisms oriented toward continuity, sustainability, and development.
We therefore call for:
Securing and sustaining the rehearsal space fund in Hamburg
Art needs space. The rehearsal space fund must be permanently secured, adequately funded, and further developed as a central infrastructure measure.
Strengthening independent venues in terms of staff and infrastructure
The independent scene needs both rehearsal spaces and strong venues. This includes, in particular, the realization of the mid-scale stage (Mittelbühne) at LICHTHOF Theater on Rentzelstraße. The Senate must actively advance the development of a mid-scale center with performance and rehearsal facilities at Rentzelstraße, as outlined in the coalition agreement.
Creating fair working conditions
Minimum fees must not remain symbolic commitments. If fair pay is politically intended, funding budgets must be increased accordingly. DfdK has already called for a 20% increase in project funding budgets to offset minimum fee standards.
Ensuring social security
The independent scene needs sustainable social protection. Long-term artistic work must be recognized within the independent performing arts; otherwise, consistently low incomes will translate into inadequate pensions. The artists’ social insurance system, unemployment insurance, and pension provisions must be strengthened accordingly.
Developing sustainable performance opportunities
With its diffusion funding, Hamburg has an effective model. Since 2019, funding for restaging and guest performances has strengthened the visibility of existing works and sustainable production practices. The increase to €300,000 must be maintained. Diffusion funding must be fully financed from the BKM’s permanent budget rather than relying on fluctuating funds.
Strengthening multi-year funding models
Short-term project funding creates ongoing insecurity. Hamburg needs reliable development perspectives for artists and groups. Existing multi-year funding schemes must be strengthened and further developed in line with actual needs.
Sustaining production-independent funding models
Independent art is not limited to premieres. It requires research, time to think, laboratory spaces, professional development, and process-oriented funding that enables development before new productions emerge. Basic and research funding must be sustained and adequately resourced.
These seven demands define the minimum conditions required for the independent performing arts in Hamburg to continue their work and impact the city. Art needs space—for diversity, for new ideas, for experimentation, and for artistic development.
Hamburg needs independent arts that can work under fair conditions. Where space, time, and reliable structures exist, artistic practices emerge that extend far beyond individual productions. This strengthens Hamburg as an open, diverse, and culturally vibrant city.
In the joint statement by the Ministers and Senators for Culture on March 27, artistic freedom was described as a “measure of social and democratic freedom.” At the same time, a clear commitment was made to protect these freedoms and to make them a guiding principle of cultural policy. Against this backdrop, the demands outlined above form a necessary foundation for democratic and forward-looking urban development.
Art needs space: for courage, for new ideas, for experimentation, for failure, for solidarity, for diversity, for networks, and for artistic development. That is precisely what our campaign seeks to highlight. It presents artists in their real working environments and makes visible what cultural policy often overlooks: independent art does not emerge in a vacuum. It requires spaces, time, infrastructure, and reliable funding.
The independent performing arts are a central pillar of Hamburg’s cultural landscape. They work in aesthetically innovative, transdisciplinary, and socially engaged ways. They activate urban spaces, collaborate with diverse communities, create access to cultural participation, and make a tangible contribution to an open and inclusive urban society.
We are aware that Hamburg’s budget situation is shaped by pressure to cut spending. At the same time, the independent scene has long reached a point where further concessions would result in a real loss of substance. The economic situation of freelance artists is precarious. The 2023 study commissioned by DfdK and funded by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM) identified a clear need for political action. While this has been partially addressed in the restructuring of funding frameworks, it has not yet been sufficiently implemented. It is important to acknowledge that the cultural authorities have taken decisive steps with the introduction of the rehearsal space fund, continuity funding, and co-financing schemes. This is exactly where the campaign connects: what has been initiated must now be secured, sustained, and further developed.
For this reason, we cannot retreat from our demands. Culture is part of the democratic foundation of urban society. The independent scene engages in outreach cultural work, brings art into new spaces, fosters encounters, and counters social fragmentation. Artistic freedom does not exist in the abstract—it depends on concrete conditions: spaces, resources, time, and stable structures. When these foundations erode, the freedom of art is materially undermined.
Our top priority is therefore the preservation of the rehearsal space fund. Art needs space—quite literally. Affordable rehearsal spaces are a basic prerequisite for professional artistic work. They enable rehearsals, research, training, restaging, and the further development of artistic practices. As already noted by DfdK, the lack of affordable rehearsal spaces is a key weakness in Hamburg’s funding landscape, and market-level rents cannot be covered within the limited funding budgets.
At the same time, defending a single instrument is not enough. The structural challenges are broader. The independent performing arts need reliable structures and funding mechanisms oriented toward continuity, sustainability, and development.
We therefore call for:
Securing and sustaining the rehearsal space fund in Hamburg
Art needs space. The rehearsal space fund must be permanently secured, adequately funded, and further developed as a central infrastructure measure.
Strengthening independent venues in terms of staff and infrastructure
The independent scene needs both rehearsal spaces and strong venues. This includes, in particular, the realization of the mid-scale stage (Mittelbühne) at LICHTHOF Theater on Rentzelstraße. The Senate must actively advance the development of a mid-scale center with performance and rehearsal facilities at Rentzelstraße, as outlined in the coalition agreement.
Creating fair working conditions
Minimum fees must not remain symbolic commitments. If fair pay is politically intended, funding budgets must be increased accordingly. DfdK has already called for a 20% increase in project funding budgets to offset minimum fee standards.
Ensuring social security
The independent scene needs sustainable social protection. Long-term artistic work must be recognized within the independent performing arts; otherwise, consistently low incomes will translate into inadequate pensions. The artists’ social insurance system, unemployment insurance, and pension provisions must be strengthened accordingly.
Developing sustainable performance opportunities
With its diffusion funding, Hamburg has an effective model. Since 2019, funding for restaging and guest performances has strengthened the visibility of existing works and sustainable production practices. The increase to €300,000 must be maintained. Diffusion funding must be fully financed from the BKM’s permanent budget rather than relying on fluctuating funds.
Strengthening multi-year funding models
Short-term project funding creates ongoing insecurity. Hamburg needs reliable development perspectives for artists and groups. Existing multi-year funding schemes must be strengthened and further developed in line with actual needs.
Sustaining production-independent funding models
Independent art is not limited to premieres. It requires research, time to think, laboratory spaces, professional development, and process-oriented funding that enables development before new productions emerge. Basic and research funding must be sustained and adequately resourced.
These seven demands define the minimum conditions required for the independent performing arts in Hamburg to continue their work and impact the city. Art needs space—for diversity, for new ideas, for experimentation, and for artistic development.
Hamburg needs independent arts that can work under fair conditions. Where space, time, and reliable structures exist, artistic practices emerge that extend far beyond individual productions. This strengthens Hamburg as an open, diverse, and culturally vibrant city.
In the joint statement by the Ministers and Senators for Culture on March 27, artistic freedom was described as a “measure of social and democratic freedom.” At the same time, a clear commitment was made to protect these freedoms and to make them a guiding principle of cultural policy. Against this backdrop, the demands outlined above form a necessary foundation for democratic and forward-looking urban development.