“Remaining effective” – self-positioning & scope for action

When we talk about effectiveness in these uncertain times, it becomes clear that we can only be as effective as the systems and structures within which we are working. These are currently being heavily influenced by competition, precariousness and mountains of red tape, none of which provide fertile soil for artistic freedom. Let us value art for its own sake and not only when we assign value to it. That was once again today’s strong message. We must stop resorting to symbolic debates. We need space. We need time. We need fair conditions. We need permanence and sustainability, otherwise we will not only lose artists, but also the very foundation for thinking of culture as a social force.

The much-cited solidarity we talked about today must not just remain lip service. Above all, the much-praised alliances must include those who are no longer with us in the field, those who did not make it here today, those who have been pushed out, those who work invisibly and who, while we are all sitting here together, are undergoing retraining en masse. We weaken ourselves when we are distracted by competing against each other instead of sharing our scope for action, or wallowing in pessimism instead of simply saying that we’ll now share what we have unconditionally.

Remaining effective therefore means taking a stand when things get uncomfortable. Maintaining spaces and opening spaces because they are currently scarce. Forming alliances that are bigger than ourselves. And the show must not only go on, it must surpass itself.

Thank you. 

The statement published here summarizes the content of the workshop format “Remaining Effective,” which was presented by Felizitas Stilleke as an official program item during the two-day BUNDESTREFFEN25 meeting of the Fonds Darstellende Künste.