Current and former jury members of the Stiftung Kunstfonds have spoken out against Culture Minister Wolfram Weimer's request for the names of jurors in all funding programs. They express outrage over political interference and cite a lack of trust. This comes amid previous incidents.
The Stiftung Kunstfonds was asked to provide the names of current jury members for all funding programs. Jurors responded with a statement: "We, current and former jury members of the Stiftung Kunstfonds, wish to express our outrage over the political interference by the Commissioner for Culture and Media."
They distrust the purpose of the request, especially given recent events. They cite Weimer's actions in the Deutscher Buchhandlungspreis award: He secretly consulted the Verfassungsschutz and excluded three bookshops he viewed as too left-leaning, without specifics. "Involving the Verfassungsschutz has shattered our fundamental understanding of democratic cultural funding," the letter states.
The signatories reject any influence that damages their independent work. The Basic Law protects artistic freedom, yet they perceive increasing attacks and intimidation by politics. Applicants are holding back as political pressure shifts discourse boundaries.
Juries consist of artists and experts appointed by the foundation's board. The authors warn that breaches in democratic structures today may be exploited by anti-democratic forces tomorrow.
