On the occasion of the City of Vienna’s financial statements for 2024, the municipal councilor Karl Mahrer, cultural spokesman for the Vienna People’s Party, as well as municipal councilor Michael Gorlitzer are disappointed with the lack of design of the Vienna city government in the field of art, culture and science.
Culture for everyone instead of elite clientele policy
“The degree of accounting in 2024 clearly shows: Instead of courageous visions for the Capital of Culture Vienna, we experience lack of culture and a dangerous mix of elitarianism, non -transparency and financial inefficiency”, criticizes Karl Mahrer and further: “Art and culture should be able to develop free – and they should be there for everyone again.
Mahrer sees the situation at the music schools particularly critically: “Only 4 out of 10 children are currently giving a place – this is simply a shame for an international music capital like Vienna. It is urgently needed more investments in cultural education, strengthening music schools and a serious commitment to cultural participation – not just an announcement policy.”
Research, innovation and transparency: none
Local council Michael Gorlitzer, in turn, focuses on the science area: “Vienna has the potential to set international accents-not through copy paste, but through excellence, innovation and targeted funding policy. But with only 6.9 percent of the budget for science and research, there is no departure to the European innovation metropolis.”
According to Gorlitzer, the award practice is particularly problematic: “What is behind an increase in other cultural measures’ of 37 % is in the dark. In-transparent awarding practice, double or overgrowding- so no science or cultural metropolis is done.”
Gorlitzer therefore calls for an annual report to the municipal council committee for culture and science in order to create more transparency. Gorlitzer also sees the need to catch up with digitization and artificial intelligence: “Now the time is not only to think about AI, but also to shape it – responsibly, network and impact -oriented.”
“Vienna needs a new understanding of culture and science”
In a common appeal, Mahrer and Gorlitzer demand a clear change of course: “The SPÖ-Neos city government leaves opportunities unused, while tax money is inefficient. Vienna needs a new understanding of culture and science-responsible, broadly accessible, efficient and with regard to the future. We are calling for transparency for funding and a clear evaluation of effectiveness and reach-because in culture and science, quality applies instead of quantity, so in such a way Mahrer and Gorlitzer concluded.
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