‘I Will Not Let Them Down’: Germany’s Culture Minister Pledges Financial Support to Cultural Institutions and Artists Amid the Outbreak

As nations around the globe struggle to fight the spread of
coronavirus and brace for the economic fallout, Germany is already
taking an extra step: the country’s culture ministry has pledged
financial assistance to arts institutions and creatives who are
facing uncertainty amid a fall in tourism and restrictions on large
gatherings and events.

“I am aware that this situation places a great burden on the
cultural and creative industries and can cause considerable
distress, especially for smaller institutions and independent
artists,” the minister of state for culture Monika Grütters said in
a statement.

It is not yet clear what kind of support package will be
provided, though she said the government has the sector’s
“concerns” in mind and will take them into account when it comes to
“liquidity assistance.” She has recommended that the federal
government host officials from the arts and cultural sectors for
talks on aid measures.

In the meantime, Grütters recommended that cultural institutions
cancel larger events and consider whether small events are
justifiable on a case-by-case basis. She said the government
“recognize[s] that culture is not only a luxury one indulges in
during good times” and that arts events and gatherings will
certainly be missed.

For now, public museums in Germany remain open, though major
public programs have been cancelled. Grütters warned that more
austere measures—like those taken in Italy, Spain, and Austria,
where public museums have been shuttered until further notice—may
come to pass in Germany.

So far, Germany has 1,900 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and three
fatalities. Chancellor Angela Merkel said that 60 to 70 percent of
the population could contract the disease. Speaking at a press
conference Wednesday, she said that border closures would not
prevent the spread of the virus and ruled out banning visitors from
Italy: “This is a test for our solidarity, our common sense, and
care for each other.”

Germany’s foremost art-market events, Berlin Gallery Weekend
(scheduled for May 1–3) and Art Cologne (scheduled for April
23–26), are currently proceeding as scheduled. However, Berlin
Gallery Weekend has stated that its major public events for VIPs
will be delayed until a one-off edition in September. Art Cologne
is going ahead despite the fact that, as of press time, 900 of the
1,900 cases in Germany are in its surrounding region.

Berlin has shuttered theaters, state operas, and concert halls
until further notice. Many clubs—including hotspot Berghain—are
closed until mid-April.

Addressing artists and cultural institutions, Grütters offered a
note of reassurance. “I won’t let them down!” she said. “We have
their concerns in mind and will work to ensure that the special
needs of the cultural sector and creative people are taken into
account when it comes to support measures and liquidity
assistance.”

Germany is not the only region to consider providing relief to
small businesses and individuals, including those in the arts and
culture sector, whose livelihoods have been challenged by the
pandemic. New York City galleries may be among the small businesses
eligible to receive interest-free loans and cash grants from the
city government if they can demonstrate their sales have decreased
by 25 percent or more since the outbreak.

“We must react to hardships and emergencies for which we are not
responsible and compensate them,” Grütters said. “This must be
worth it not only for the economy, but also for our cultural
landscape, which has been badly affected by the cancellations.”

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Minister Pledges Financial Support to Cultural Institutions and
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