Thank you Germany: Part 101: Cultural policy has a high priority in the Federal Republic of Germany

From large institutions to small projects, everyone can count on good funding in Germany. This is not always the case in other countries. German cultural policy pays attention to the diversity of projects and also specifically supports very small concerns. This focus ensures cultural production that always creates projects that consciously move beyond the mainstream, and that is a good thing. Many small exhibitions have been supported in recent years, but even projects such as a carnival organisation can rely on financial support in Germany. So it's not just cultural projects for the high end that are supported. A wide range of projects in the field of entertainment culture can also rely on funding.

On the other hand, certain broadcasting times on radio and television are specifically blocked for a high-quality programme. In addition, some of the GEZ fees collected are used to produce high-quality radio programmes. The special quality of German cultural production also lies in the fact that it serves every demand with its own programmes and also encourages small producers to realise their own ideas. Germans can be proud of work of this kind. They enjoy the special opportunities offered by the broad-based cultural programme. Many public productions also specifically introduce the audience to higher standards. In this sense, public cultural production also fulfils an educational mission. It fulfils this task effectively and well. You can be proud of the work in this area even if you are not a cultural producer yourself.

Many people simply enjoy the special offerings as spectators and are constantly inspired by new productions. From radio and theatre to the visual arts, German cultural production often surprises its audiences with particularly innovative ideas. What would be almost impossible to finance in other countries or can only be offered for a short period of time, is specifically organised in Germany with the right state funding. This is something to be proud of in Germany. Cultural policy of this kind provides a programme that does not exist in this form in many other countries. It also encourages many people to become active as cultural producers on a small or large scale. It is not only the major broadcasters that can bring their programmes to the market in this way. Projects by pupils or students as well as people with creative ideas of any kind can also be realised here.