Culture is our thing! The South Westphalia Cultural Council
Page content:
- Guiding principle of the South Westphalia Cultural Council
- Cultural Council seeks new members
- The members in words and pictures
- Tasks and competencies of the South Westphalia Cultural Council
- Structure and composition of the Cultural Council
- The RKP Project Jury
- The rules of procedure of the Cultural Council
- Funding partners
Guiding principle of the South Westphalia Cultural Council
The South Westphalia Cultural Council represents and supports the RKP (Regional Cultural Program NRW) (RKP for short) at the regional level in its primary function as a jury for RKP applications. It sees itself as a driving force for the further development, consolidation, and increased visibility of cultural work in the South Westphalia cultural region. As a regional network of cultural experts, the South Westphalia Cultural Council ensures the transfer of knowledge on current cultural policy topics and approaches to the sub-regions. It also sees itself as a mediator for the concerns of cultural practitioners with politicians and decision-makers. The South Westphalia Cultural Council strives for a diverse composition of both its advisory and decision-making members on the Project Council.
The South Westphalia Cultural Council unanimously advocates for strengthening social and cultural diversity. Diversity, openness, and transparency are prerequisites for a future-oriented, resilient cultural infrastructure.
The South Westphalia Cultural Council supports the Joint Declaration of the State Ministers of Culture on Cultural and Artistic Freedom of March 13, 2019, and declares its willingness to recognize this as one of the foundations of its cultural policy work, positioning, and orientation within the framework of regional cultural policy. The South Westphalia Cultural Council will publicly position itself on the aforementioned declaration of the State Ministers of Culture and, where necessary, take a socio-political stance.
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!
- Are you an artist, cultural worker, member or employee of a cultural association, cultural organization or cultural institution?
- Would you like to contribute your professional expertise as a representative of a community of people with disabilities, immigrants, young adults, seniors, or LGBTQ ?
- Are you open to networking at a regional level?
- Are you keen to support cultural work in the South Westphalia cultural region?
- Are you ready to support cultural change processes?
- Are you curious about new ideas, developments and encounters?
- Do you agree with our vision of a democratic, diverse cultural society?
If you are interested, please contact one of the current members of the South Westphalia Cultural Council or the South Westphalia Cultural Region Service Office. Please familiarize yourself with the responsibilities, application criteria, and membership options in our member profile, which is available for download here.
Start into diversity
At its spring meeting in May 2023, the South Westphalia Cultural Council worked with external experts to develop strategies and measures for a more diverse composition of committees. The results resulted in a guide on how to achieve more diverse participation and involvement in committees. The "Diversity Starter Set - Lowering Barriers to Cultural Participation and Co-Determination in Committee Work" is available as a PDF download.
Guide to talking to each other
Communication as participation! As part of its 2024 conference, members of the South Westphalia Cultural Council and guests discussed with experts how to successfully communicate participation processes to everyone. The results have been compiled as a "Handbook for Talking Together" and are available here as a PDF download.
The members of the South Westphalia Cultural Council
And why culture is her thing.
Testimonials from Eva-Nadine Wunderlich, Texterleben, and Susanne Boecking, Kulturregion Südwestfalen.
Sebastian Wagemeyer
Mayor of the city of Lüdenscheid
Filling the atmosphere with music: That's what excites me as a recreational musician. As mayor, I'm grateful to be able to actively contribute to creating spaces for powerful formats. Whether it's street art, light art, poetry slams, theater, concerts, or exhibitions: all of this shapes me personally, but also the entire city community.
Sonja Heller, artist, head of the BBK regional group Hellweg
As an artist, I work in a wide variety of fields. Based on this experience, I see networking as an enrichment for every member of the network. It can also trigger a shift in perspective and thus lead to interdisciplinary projects that can pave the way for greater tolerance and togetherness.
Ulrike Beckmann, Head of Schools, Sports and Culture in the Olpe District
As remarkable as the civic engagement in our region is, so impressive is the abundance of cultural creativity: The solidarity and cooperation of our cultural actors inspires me greatly! It is precisely this potential that makes cultural life in South Westphalia strong and worth living and loving for me.
Patricia Benthien, Deputy Director of the Parktheater Iserlohn
When I look into shining eyes after a performance, enjoy the applause, and engage in conversation with people – then I feel it intensely: culture is far more than a voluntary activity! It is soul food, brain training, good food, and a glass of red wine all rolled into one. And certainly not just essential for my happiness. I love what I do.
Detlef Krüger, Head of the Culture and Tourism Department of the Märkischer Kreis
A region without culture? Unthinkable to me. Culture brings joy to life; culture is COLORFUL! Culture is our opportunity to understand changes in our society and shape the present and future. It always makes me happy to initiate cultural experiences characterized by openness to complex topics.
Jennifer Cierlitza, Curator and Managing Director of the Siegen Art Association
What continually fascinates me are the perspectives that art and culture bring to the table: Through creative formats, we engage in dialogue and gain unusual perspectives on social issues. I consider rethinking everyday culture and enriching the region with young visions a valuable contribution.
Melanie Redlberger, Head of the Cultural Office of the City of Hagen
Culture is a connection, yet also a constant cross-border movement. Culture reflects the people of a city, but it doesn't reach many. That's why we're asking about interests, needs, and dreams in Hagen. We value exchange and listening to those who create culture, those who use it, and those who haven't (yet) embraced culture.
Jens von Heyden, Head of the Culture!Office of the Siegen Wittgenstein District
Meeting people across borders, experiencing joy, reflection, and exchange together. And above all: daring the impossible together to make the possible visible! Culture is a diverse and indispensable elixir of life for our diverse society! For me, being culturally active for and with the region represents both responsibility and motivation.
Lea Schnalke, actress, theatre educator at the Integrative Cultural Workshop Alte Schule
The right to cultural participation is a fundamental building block of our society and the reason why I enjoy getting up for work on Mondays! Culture opens our eyes to a holistic perspective, creates space for encounters and exchange, and breaks down stigma. This requires inclusive and accessible offerings in the region.
Anna-Maria Stenz, Culture and Education Officer at AllerWeltHaus Hagen eV
For me, culture is the best recipe for global learning, diversity, and participation. Engaging young people, enabling them to think outside the box, and champion diversity and social justice as global citizens is particularly important to me. Because young people are the cultural shapers of our future.
Jutta Törnig-Struck, Head of the Cultural Office of the City of Menden
We love the power of "We Culture"! It's an opportunity for encounters, active participation, and involvement. That's why we stage numerous cultural programs with the involvement of our citizens. For us, culture means constantly changing perspectives; it's both a preservation of tradition and an inexhaustible laboratory for the future.
Astrid Schneider, Head of Department for CultureSiegen
I consider it a great privilege to be able to shape and enable this. It enriches me greatly to be able to accompany cultural creators on their visionary journeys. It's satisfying, if I succeed in being a translator between the language of art and that of administrators and financiers. I also have my own visions: that culture should remain systemically relevant.
Heike Kühn, Managing Director of Push eV Hilchenbach
My passion is promoting diversity, open spaces, and the participation of young people in rural areas. Opening doors for young people so they can contribute their voices and their analog and digital ideas and thus help shape our region culturally and politically – this is a relevant task for us as local actors, with added value for everyone.
Dr. Christine Tretow, IHK Siegen – Public Relations, IHK Gallery
"Art is a representation of our devotion to life." This statement by the painter Agnes Martin has inspired my professional thinking and actions for years. Distinctiveness, quality of life, social interaction, and regional development: I see several important common factors for a location in a vibrant cultural scene paired with a strong economic sector.
Milan Pešl, actor, director, director of the Bruchwerktheater Siegen
I'm passionate about the performing arts and its strengths: enabling wonder and bringing to the stage themes that are burning in our daily reality right now. The fire, the friction, the energetic exchange between audience and artists that is possible during an evening of theater... these are other sizzling moments for me.
Rikarde Riedesel, Head of Culture and Adult Education, Bad Berleburg
My heart beats for rural areas, where you're still very close to the pulse of the people. This is where I enjoy sharing my passion for literature. Networking is very important here. From museum roundtables to literature festivals: through engagement and networking, I can support good ideas or develop new concepts together with people.
Cynthia Krell, Südwestfalen Agency – Project Manager Culture@Südwestfalen
For me, culture is enriching: It activates emotions and connects people, providing diverse impulses for reflection. Wherever people engage in cultural life and cultural education close to home, our society is strengthened. I consider supporting cultural work in the long term, independent of economic considerations, to be an appreciation of its effectiveness.
Susanne Falk, cultural scientist, coordinator of Ways to Life
I find it wonderful how much culture connects us: whether it's a journey of discovery into ourselves or experiencing other perspectives. Cultural formats often provide forward-looking inspiration. I consider this very important in a constantly changing society. I take great pleasure in helping to shape the culture in my region.
Ulrike Wesely, Chairwoman of MuT Sauerland e. V., Managing Director of Cultural Heritage Schrabben Hof Kirchhundem
Our mission is to foster a community-oriented culture in a rural region through networks and collaborations, participation, and co-determination. Our backbone for this are volunteer cultural workers and freelance artists from the region. Identifying these actors, networking them, and giving them a platform is the foundation of cultural welfare.
Frank Büdenbender, Head of Department AWO Siegen-Wittgenstein/Olpe
I am passionate about supporting the participation of people with disabilities. The diversity of people and creative exchange in an inclusive region are a great asset for cultural life. Together we can harness this treasure to create a vibrant and diverse cultural scene in which everyone can contribute their skills and perspectives.
Jan Meyer-Krügel, Director of Dunkelcafé Siegen of the Society for Peace Education eV
Creating access to culture for everyone is a pressing social challenge, especially now. It is important to consider the needs of older people and people with disabilities. My personal wish is to work with partners to implement cultural participation for everyone in the region.
Dr. Yasmine Freigang, Head of the LWL Department of Culture in Westphalia
What would our society be without committed and inspiring people? How empty would our world be without the inspiration and works of creative artists? I don't want to imagine that, but I share the opinion of cultural reporter Peter Grabowski: "Art and culture are relevant to civilization!" Strengthening this relevance together and sustainably is a valuable investment in the future.
Volker Hauer, 2nd Chairman of the Plettenberg Homeland Association
For me, art and culture are the glue that binds society and coexistence in the region. Engaging with art and culture enriches one's own existence and broadens one's understanding of the cultures of others. Culture, encounters, and education create the positive atmosphere needed, especially now, for a welcoming community.
Wanted: Cultural networkers for the South Westphalia Cultural Council
Become part of the cultural network of the South Westphalia cultural region! The South Westphalia Cultural Council aims to broaden its reach and, above all, become more diverse and is seeking new members. Therefore, your professional expertise as a representative of a community of people with disabilities, immigrants, young adults, seniors, and LGBTQ is expressly desired.
Susanne Boecking, Service Office for the South Westphalia Cultural Region
For me, a society without culture is unsustainable. Like the air we breathe, we need creative artists who tell us stories using all the artistic means available. Networking, collaborative thinking and design, stimulating social transformation processes... all of this is what cultural work achieves. I value it highly as an essential asset for our coexistence.
Cristina Loi, Head of the Cultural Department, Arnsberg District Government
For us, culture is an indispensable space for further development. Creative formats, projects, and institutions encourage participation, build bridges, strengthen communities, bring about transformations… and generate many other benefits. We consider it an important task for all of us to bring together forces and impulses and actively promote cultural production at all levels.
Team of the Department for the Regional Culture Program NRW at the MKW
The unique richness of its cultural landscape makes North Rhine-Westphalia one of the most creative, diverse, and dynamic places in Germany. Being able to experience, help shape, support, and promote this creativity, diversity, and dynamism is both a professional incentive and valuable inspiration for us!
Culture is our thing! Cultural entrepreneurs, cultural drivers, and culturally engaged people
Representing all cultural entrepreneurs, cultural drivers and those committed to culture in the region, without whom our work would be almost meaningless, selected actors present their attitudes towards cultural work here.
Tasks of the South Westphalia Cultural Council
Commitment to the mission statement
All members of the Cultural Council undertake to support the tasks and objectives set out in the mission statement.
Organ of the Regional Cultural Program NRW
The South Westphalia Cultural Council supports the objectives of the Regional Cultural Program NRW (RKP). The Cultural Council members contribute to raising awareness of the RKP within their areas of responsibility and scope.
Advice on RKP projects
The South Westphalia Cultural Council deliberates on the projects submitted to the NRW Regional Cultural Program. The Cultural Council's project jury decides on recommendations, particularly with regard to the significance of projects for the entire region.
Further development of the cultural profile of the region
The South Westphalia Cultural Council is continuously working to further develop the cultural profile of the South Westphalia cultural region. In doing so, the Cultural Council helps promote the networking of event organizers, artists, administrators, and sponsors.
Knowledge transfer to the sub-regions
The South Westphalia Cultural Council compiles, discusses, consolidates, and specifically applies current cultural policy issues and trends to the region. Each member of the Cultural Council disseminates information about the region's projects and activities through their respective channels.
Regional network
As a regional network of cultural professionals from various organizations with diverse backgrounds and approaches, the South Westphalia Cultural Council represents culture in the region. As such, the members of the Cultural Council communicate the concerns of cultural professionals to politicians and local decision-makers.
Competencies
- All members are involved in pooling cultural expertise and can participate in knowledge transfer and networking.
- All members may participate in decision-making processes. The exception is participation in the project jury.
- However, members of the Cultural Council can be elected to the project jury.
- The members of the Cultural Council can contribute their own ideas and contribute to development processes.
The service office of the South Westphalia cultural region
The Service Office serves as the interface between the Cultural Council, event organizers, the administration, and applicants in the cultural region. It is the permanent contact point for the region. All relevant information from municipalities, districts, and event organizers is processed and forwarded from the Service Office.
Structure and composition of the Cultural Council
Selection of members
Interested cultural workers and cultural leaders, as well as representatives of cultural institutions and organizations, can apply informally for membership in the Cultural Council. The members of the Cultural Council decide on admission by majority vote. The admission criteria are currently being developed.
The South Westphalia Cultural Council strives for diversity in its selection of members. The goal is to build a diverse, heterogeneous cultural council that comprehensively represents the cultural community living in the South Westphalia cultural region. In order to comprehensively fulfill its cultural policy responsibilities, the South Westphalia Cultural Council is broadly and diversely positioned, reflecting a variety of cultural disciplines and cultural sectors.
A majority of the members are members of the Cultural Council by virtue of their office: the eight representatives of the cities and districts, the Service Office of the Cultural Region of South Westphalia as the coordination office for the Regional Cultural Program NRW as well as representatives of the Ministry of Culture and Science NRW and the Arnsberg District Government.
The RKP project jury in the South Westphalia Cultural Council
The Project Jury
The project jury of the South Westphalia Cultural Council deliberates and decides on the project applications submitted to the Regional Cultural Program NRW. The voting members are made up of eight representatives from the participating cities and districts, who have committed to supporting the South Westphalia Service Office as the coordination office for the Regional Cultural Program NRW in the region, together with the state. In addition, there are eight representatives from various cultural sectors, cross-cutting tasks, and diversity categories, nominated by all members of the Cultural Council.
The current composition of the project jury in the Cultural Council
a) Representatives of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and the district government
Representatives of the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, Department 421 (Rural Areas, Regional Cultural Policy, Third Places), the Head of Culture of the Arnsberg District Government and a representative of Department 48 - Art and Cultural Affairs of the Arnsberg District Government.
b) Financing members of the project jury:
- Detlef Krüger for the Märkischer Kreis, FD 40 Culture and Tourism
- Ulrike Beckmann for the Olpe district, FD 40 Schools, Sports and Culture
- Patricia Benthien for the City of Iserlohn, Department of Culture - Cultural Office and Park Theater
- Astrid Schneider for the City of Siegen, GB 2/4 Culture
- Jutta Törnig-Struck for the City of Menden, FB 41 Cultural Office
- Astrid Jakobs for the City of Hagen, Department of Culture - Cultural Office
- Jens von Heyden for the Siegen-Wittgenstein district, Culture!Office.
- Sebastian Wagemeyer for the city of Lüdenscheid, FB 1 Mayor
c) Co-opted members of the project jury:
- Rikarde Riedesel, Bad Berleburg for the rural community division
- Jennifer Cierlitza, Siegen Art Association for the Fine Arts section
- Dr. Sandra Hertel, Municipal Museums Iserlohn and WasserEisenLand e. V. for the Industrial Culture section
- Heike Kühn, PUSH e. V., Hilchenbach for the youth culture section
- Milan Pešl, Bruchwerk Theater Siegen for the Performing Arts Department
- Anna-Maria Stenz, AllerWeltHaus Hagen e. V. for the Intercultural section
- Frank Büdenbender, AWO Siegen-Wittgenstein/Olpe District for cultural participation and music
- Lea Schnalke, Integrative Cultural Workshop Alte Schule for Inclusive Cultural Work and Performing Arts
d) Members of the Cultural Council without voting rights in the project jury:
- Dr. Yasmine Freigang for the LWL Cultural Department
- Cynthia Krell for the Südwestfalen Agency
- Susanne Falk, Olpe District Homeland Association, cultural scientist for regional history
- Ulrike Wesely, MuT Sauerland, for cultural commitment
- Jan Meyer-Krügel, Dunkelcafe Siegen, as an expert for people with disabilities
- Dr. Christine Tretow, Chamber of Industry and Commerce Siegen for the business sector
- Volker Hauer, Plettenberg Local History Association for the Industrial Heritage and Urban Culture Division
- Representatives of the Arnsberg Regional Council
The chairmanship of the South Westphalia Cultural Council rotates annually. The Märkischer Kreis district has assumed the chairmanship for 2024.
The Rules of Procedure
More detailed information on the legal basis, elections and the tasks of the Service Office can be found in the Rules of Procedure, which are available for download as a PDF file.
Funding partner 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.
