The E-Werk cultural center (photo: Markus Gräßel) will receive an increase in its municipal subsidy to 1,550,000 euros in 2025. This corresponds to an increase of 150,000 euros. It is the only subsidy increase that the city can grant in the cultural sector in view of the tight budget situation. An increase in the subsidy to 1,750,000 euros did not find a majority in the city council, nor did the waiver of a subsidy increase.
The cultural center E-Werk is operated by E-Werk Kulturzentrum GmbH in cooperation with the association "Kulturzentrum E-Werk e.V.". The city of Erlangen supports the E-Werk financially with comprehensive institutional funding.
In view of the difficult situation, the E-Werk had already drawn up savings proposals for personnel and operating costs in the summer. With these savings, a subsidy increase of 350,000 euros per year on average was deemed necessary for the next three years. The subsidy increase that has now been agreed is significantly lower and, together with a reduction in income due to the loss of municipal cultural events, will result in an annual shortfall of EUR 290,000 at the E-Werk. The necessary savings will have a noticeable impact on the services offered by the E-Werk and will also result in staff cuts. In addition, future wage increases up to and including 2027 cannot be taken into account.
Anke Steinert-Neuwirth, Head of Culture and Education, described the impact of the city's budget situation as painful. "We are aware of the special importance of the E-Werk for the city society. However, in the current situation, the city cannot do more than it has decided today. But we are doing everything we can to safeguard the E-Werk as an institution.
At the same time, she pointed out the lack of cultural funding from the Free State of Bavaria. "In other federal states, socio-cultural institutions like the E-Werk are supported by state funds. In Bavaria, socioculture is dependent on the financial capacity of the local authorities. This structural disadvantage jeopardizes the preservation of our cultural diversity."
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Art & Culture
Information and current events in art and culture, festivals, cultural venues, museums, city library, cultural promotion, cultural education, cultural and creative industries, cultural policy guidelines...