Cultural and Creative Industries in the Corona Depression

The onset of the Corona pandemic and the associated ban on performances was a slap in the face for many artists. The revival of cultural life has begun in small steps and under strict conditions. Existential fears are the result. That's why we talked to Oliver Wittmann, head of bayernkreativ, about rescue packages for the cultural and creative industries.

"The de facto occupational ban for many employees in the cultural and creative industries had a massive impact, the economic hardship is great!" - Oliver Wittmann. (Photo credit: Bayern Innovativ)

Oliver, you are head of the Bavarian Center for Culture and Creative Industries. What goals are you pursuing with your team?

Oliver Wittmann: We are a Bavarian institution for the support of culture and creative industries based in Nuremberg. Our goal is to strengthen the economic performance of this sector so that the culture and creative industries in Bavaria are viable and can sustainably position themselves in the market. This main goal is of course also linked to strengthening the social position of cultural workers.

Has your day-to-day work changed as a result of Corona?

Oliver Wittmann: A lot has changed because the shake-up in the industry is really very strong. Our focus before Corona was to strengthen the economic and entrepreneurial thinking and action of cultural workers with our offerings (such as workshops). Through Corona, this focus has faded into the background. The de facto occupational ban for many employees in the cultural and creative industries has had a massive impact, and the economic hardship is great. That is why we are now almost exclusively focused on making the large number of assistance programs accessible and informing about them via homepage and telephone.

What offers or support programs are currently available?

Oliver Wittmann: The culture and creative industries are in themselves very complex. Thus, it is about many different submarkets: from the traditional cultural office, for example, music industry and architecture to design. It's a very broad field. And the funding programs that have emerged are just as complex and heterogeneous. This also varies from state to state. So I can't list all the funding programs in detail here. That would go beyond the scope of this article. Anyone who is interested is welcome to contact me directly.

Let's at least talk briefly about the venue program - a relatively new instrument of the Bavarian state government. Who can take advantage of this program?

Oliver Wittmann: This program is designed to help venues survive Corona, because they are particularly hobbled by the pandemic. De facto they are not allowed to open, the rules simply do not allow a normal gaming operation as we knew it before. Nevertheless, costs continue to run. But the state government has recognized that it is eminently important for the cultural infrastructure that these facilities (e.g., music stages, clubs or small, privately run theaters) survive the pandemic. Therefore, the operators of such facilities can still apply for help from us until October 31, 2020, as we are organizing this program for the Free State of Bavaria.

Submit your venue program application by October 31, 2020. (Photo credit: AdobeStock/cristovao31)

Do you think Corona will permanently change the cultural industry?

Oliver Wittmann: Yes, it will take a long time before people gather again close together in small cellars for cultural performances or also participate in large concerts. But massive changes are also rooted in the structure of the industry with its many small and micro businesses. These often have hardly any reserves and live on short-term commitments.

From your answers I hear that the industry is really close to your heart. What makes culture so special for you?

Oliver Wittmann: What always inspires me as a business promoter is the openness to new things. People talk about a "haven of creativity" that produces many innovations. And as a cultural manager, it's always a fascination for me to see how culture can remain socially relevant while being economically viable. That's very exciting and definitely a matter of the heart for me.

The interview was conducted by Dr. Kord Pannkoke, Head of Business Development at Bayern Innovativ GmbH.

Listen to the full interview as a podcast: