Guide through the website
On the website of the South Westphalia Cultural Region, you will find information on the Regional Cultural Program NRW (RKP), our advisory and educational offerings, networks, our current topics, the South Westphalia Cultural Council, the region and its cultural professionals, as well as the projects funded by the RKP. A brief guide: On this homepage, you will find our advisory and continuing education offerings and current information on our RKP projects. In the People and Region section, we present our cultural mission statement, "Culture is our Thing," the unique characteristics of the South Westphalia cultural region, and portraits of cultural professionals. The Funding and Support section provides information on funding opportunities through the Regional Cultural Program NRW, explains the process for applying for funding, and presents RKP projects and the South Westphalia Cultural Council. We also provide information on other cultural funding programs here. Information and events relating to our key topics, such as sustainability, cultural engagement, and a diverse cultural society, can be found under "Culture and Sustainability." If you have any questions or specific concerns, please feel free to contact the Service Office.
Newsletter
Stay up to date with the newsletter of the South Westphalia Cultural Region "Q - a quantum of cultural knowledge for the region."
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June 26, Altena: Crash course in easy language
Introduction to Easy Language in Cultural Work
In this course, we'll explore the history and significance of plain language. In addition to "what it's good for," we'll also cover "how it's done." Examples from everyday work will be used. In the practical part, we'll gain our first experiences with translation and try out what it's like to speak plain language.
Sept. 26, Lüd.: Telling stories with all the senses
Workshop on inclusive storytelling
In this workshop, participants will learn about the concept of mehr¬Sinn® Stories and develop their own stories. Mehr¬Sinn® Stories is a format that transforms fairy tales and stories and makes them accessible to all the senses, allowing people with disabilities to understand them.
Cultural Conference: ALL FOR CULTURE on April 3 in Schalksmühle
Taking responsibility for culture together
All for Culture - the documentary
Our cultural conference at the 8Giebel cultural venue in Schalksmühle took place in beautiful weather. The photo shows the participants of the panel discussion with Minister of Culture Ina Brandes MdL, as well as the entire event team: the cultural laboratory technicians, the cultural facilitators, and, of course, the organizing team.
We will be working on the documentation over the next few weeks, which you can then access here.
Results and continuation of the survey on the situation of cultural workers in the region: "And how is cultural work going?"
The survey was designed to find out, with the help of cultural workers from the region, whether the currently strained traffic situation due to the closure of the A45 motorway near Lüdenscheid is also affecting cultural activities in the South Westphalia cultural region. We also used this survey as an opportunity to generally examine and query the situation of cultural workers, cultural institutions, cultural entrepreneurs, cultural associations—in other words, the entire cultural sector—in the region.
You can view the survey results on our website. We've also reopened the survey to obtain a more representative result.
News from the RKP projects
RKP cultural projects in 2025!
Eight project sponsors were able to apply for funding from the RKP Regional Culture Program NRW for 2025. We are therefore looking forward to eight exciting projects this year!
We will briefly introduce the RKP projects for 2025 on our website. We will then provide regular updates on their progress throughout the year.
Festival KulturPur 33 from 5 to 9 June 2025 at the Giller
The international music and theater festival KulturPur, romantically located in the Rothaar Mountains of South Westphalia near Hilchenbach, near Siegen, draws more than 50,000 visitors from all over Germany every Whitsun. This popularity is certainly due to its family-friendly charm, its idyllic location in one of Westphalia's most beautiful squares, and the impressive backdrop of the tent theater city. But above all, because the organizers manage to bring top-class show stars into the heart of South Westphalia's natural surroundings every Whitsun. KulturPur also considers itself a barrier-free festival.
Underground: Luise heats things up on 5 July in Balve Wocklum
Our earth holds many hidden secrets. At "Luise Heats Up," visitors delve into the mineral resources of the subterranean world. Back when the hardworking miners toiled underground, they unearthed more than just valuable ores: Hidden creatures emerge and heat things up. Elven sounds echo through the old blast furnace, and dwarves perform caving. A real fire dragon causes excitement. And budding cave explorers can also expect many secrets. "Luise Heats Up" is an event within the "Ferromone" series.
Training events and network meetings
June 26, Altena: Crash course in easy language
Introduction to Easy Language in Cultural Work
In this course, we'll explore the history and significance of plain language. In addition to "what it's good for," we'll also cover "how it's done." Examples from everyday work will be used. In the practical part, we'll gain our first experiences with translation and try out what it's like to speak plain language.
26 September, Lüdenscheid: Telling stories with all the senses
Workshop on inclusive storytelling
In this workshop, participants will learn about the concept of mehr¬Sinn® Stories and develop their own stories. Mehr¬Sinn® Stories is a format that transforms fairy tales and stories and makes them accessible to all the senses, allowing people with disabilities to understand them.
kubia online event series "Basic Knowledge of Accessibility"
Multiple appointments!
In kubia's online series "Basic Knowledge on Accessibility," you'll receive tips on analyzing, planning, and implementing accessibility in art and culture. The five events are based on the five categories of the kubia accessibility approach: movement, hearing, seeing, feeling, and understanding.
Advisory webinars for artists and cultural workers
The online workshops offered by the NRW Cultural Council are aimed at freelance artists and cultural workers from all cultural sectors. Experts offer weekly consultations on various topics such as contract drafting, accounting, self-employment, and other relevant topics for artists.
Online counseling services for civic activists
The State Service Center for Civic Engagement offers regular online information events. The focus is on knowledge, tips, and exchange – particularly on a wide range of topics such as funding, legal issues, and empowerment through volunteering.
Sharing cultural experiences is twice as good! Become a cultural guide.
Based on an introductory event for cultural facilitators with the KSL NRW Arnsberg, the SensiPro team of the KSL MSI NRW Essen, the Kultur.live project managers of the AWO Siegen-Wittgenstein/Olpe, and the participants, we have developed a guide for cultural facilitators. A website has been created from the guide that provides information about the "Cultural Facilitator" model. The information is intended to inspire the implementation of the model. We would welcome many initiatives from the region. The guide and the website are aimed at cultural facilitators, cultural venues, and cultural guests. Information in easy-to-understand language is also available for cultural guests.
Project funding Regional Culture Program NRW.
Deadline: September 30, 2025 for 2026!
RKP Regional Culture Program NRW
Do you have a good concept for a cultural project in mind (or perhaps even on paper) that you'd like to implement next year? And are you still looking for suitable funding options? The Regional Cultural Program NRW (RKP for short) may be the right funding opportunity for you! The application deadline is September 30th. Contact us!
Your direct line to the RKP - the podcast
In the podcast, Susanne Boecking from the RKP Cultural Office of the South Westphalia Cultural Region and Wolfgang Meier from the RKP Cultural Office of the Sauerland Cultural Region explain the RKP. They also share a bit about their cultural regions—and a bit about themselves.
Wanted: Cultural networkers for the South Westphalia Cultural Council
The South Westphalia Cultural Council wants to broaden its scope and become more diverse and is looking for new members!
Online events on the topics of culture and climate protection
Information about the South Westphalia cultural region and the RKP
Regional Culture Program NRW
Our RKP projects
The service office of the cultural region
The South Westphalia Cultural Council
The members of the Cultural Council form the jury for RKP projects and support the work of the RKP service office in the region.
Our region
The South Westphalia cultural region is made up of the districts of Siegen-Wittgenstein, Olpe, the Märkischer Kreis, and the city of Hagen. Learn more about its special features.
Culture is our thing!
Without the creative artists who manage all the cultural work, the region would not be worth living in. "Culture is our thing!" is therefore the motto of the South Westphalia Cultural Region.
Funding partners of the South Westphalia cultural region
Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, District of Siegen-Wittgenstein, District of Olpe, District of Märkischer Kreis, Cities of Hagen, Menden, Iserlohn, Lüdenscheid and Siegen.
