The creation of a “National Cultural Heritage Foundation” (ÖVP), a commitment to the freedom of art (SPÖ), the “strengthening of regional culture” (FPÖ), promoting the “artistic and cultural participation of underrepresented groups” (Greens), or an “art and culture strategy” (NEOS): The election programs of the parties ahead of the national parliamentary elections set various priorities. Below is an overview:
ÖVP: From the “National Cultural Heritage Foundation” to the “Cultural Offensive”
The ÖVP has committed to a “National Cultural Heritage Foundation” for the preservation of abandoned cultural assets, a “Cultural Offensive as a Think Tank,” or “better integration of art and culture into school education.” In addition to promoting contemporary art, cultural flagships—specifically named the Vienna Boys’ Choir and Girls’ Choir, as well as the ORF Radio Symphony Orchestra (RSO)—are to be “structurally and financially” secured. The program also includes an “Academy of Culture,” modeled after the French Académie des Beaux-Arts, and the establishment of modern monument protection.
Cultural activity in the regions is also to be promoted; a “Cultural Offensive” should foster cooperation between art, culture, business, and private sponsors. Other points include strengthening Austria as a film location and embedding the House of History (hdgö) as a federal museum. Also envisioned are a museum dedicated to “Viennese Classicism” and a Holocaust museum with a Shoah research center. (www.dievolkspartei.at)
SPÖ: Commitment to the freedom of art, “Fair Pay,” and strengthening the creative sector
The SPÖ emphasizes a solid commitment to the freedom of art as the starting point of its six key points on “Art and Culture”: Art is an “essential pillar of democracy,” which is why the Social Democrats “reject restrictions on artistic freedom” and stand by the artist community “when it is attacked from the right.” Additionally, culture should be anchored as a state objective in the federal constitution, and a dedicated Ministry of Culture should be established. Other points include an “inclusive cultural policy” focused on education and participation, the expansion of “Fair Pay,” and efforts to improve artists’ social security, such as easing access to voluntary unemployment insurance for freelancers.
The federal theaters and the federal museums are to be “financially secured in the long term,” and the House of History Austria (hdgö) should become an independent federal institution. Funding for the Television Fund Austria and the Austrian Film Institute should be expanded, and ORF should invest more in domestic content. Lastly, major streaming providers like Netflix and Spotify are expected to “make a fair contribution to financing Austria’s creative sector.” (www.spoe.at)
FPÖ: Focus on promoting “our own culture” and evaluating subsidies
At the start of its culture chapter, the FPÖ emphasizes its intent to “pass on culture rather than ‘cancel’ it.” Art and culture “in all their forms” are “significant identity-forming elements of our society,” making it essential to “enable the free development of our own culture and protect our native language as the most important cultural element.” The FPÖ criticizes “so-called state artists who have little more to offer than ‘the right attitude.'” According to the FPÖ, cultural subsidies “urgently need evaluation.” Specifically mentioned are “woke events” like the Song Contest and the Vienna Festival. Additionally, the FPÖ demands an immediate increase in federal subsidies to support local music associations, choirs, and brass bands. (www.fpoe.at)
Greens: From social security for artists to the “training and youth initiative”
“Art and culture are indispensable. They open up an important additional dimension and are the foundation needed for the development of society,” according to the Greens’ election program. Key points from the party, which currently includes Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler as Culture Minister, are the social security of artists and cultural workers, such as the continuation of “Fair Pay” and increased contributions to the Artists’ Social Insurance Fund. Moreover, the “artistic and cultural participation of underrepresented groups” should be promoted through special programs and targeted tenders. Other points include collective agreements for federal museums, obligating international streaming platforms to invest in the Austrian film and music industry, and a “training and youth initiative” in film and music. (https://gruene.at/)
NEOS: Call for an “art and culture strategy” and reduction of bureaucracy
The points formulated by NEOS in their election program include the “social and insurance security of freelance artists,” an “art and culture strategy” with visions for Austria’s cultural scene beyond the major cultural centers, as well as reducing bureaucracy and promoting transparency in public funding. (https://neos.eu/)
Bierpartei, KPÖ, Liste Petrovic, and KEINE
The Bierpartei aims to make art and culture “affordable for everyone” and promote “targeted and transparent support for low-threshold cultural offerings.” They want “both high culture and subculture.” Additionally, clubs and small festivals, which are the foundation of the subcultural scene, should be strengthened. (www.bierpartei.eu) KEINE calls for “significantly increased support for new and ‘small’ artists,” reducing the “bureaucratic burden” on cultural workers and creating conditions that “ensure adequate living and working conditions.” (https://keine.at) No statements on cultural policy are found for the Liste Madeleine Petrovic and KPÖ.
Discover the main Austrian political parties here.
