Culture, Diversity and Discourse

With this programme, the NRW KULTURsekretariat is once again exploring the connection between art and discourse in the field of diversity.

The programme focuses on individual, social and structural differences and similarities between people and groups. Its core dimensions include areas such as ethnic and national origin, age, social background, gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, physical and mental abilities as well as religion and ideology. 

Depending on the project, funding is provided at two different rates: On the one hand, there are projects with a discursive component and, on the other, pure discourse formats. For projects with a discursive component, an introductory lecture, an interspersed discourse or a reflection during the performance or a panel/audience discussion after the event is a prerequisite.

In the pure discourse format, for example, the focus is on a discussion or another form of thematic exchange. 

Qualified and/or experienced artists, event organisers, cultural institutions and cultural administrations from the member cities are eligible to apply.

In addition to funding new projects, some of the programme's successful formats will be continued and further developed in 2025. 

This includes the work of the Diversity Round Table, which was initiated by the NRWKS in 2016 as a forum for funding institutions, networkers and multipliers. Now based at the Kulturrat NRW, the NRWKS is joined by those institutions that use state funds to promote programmes and projects in the field of diversity. In coordination with the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, which has set up a diversity fund in 2021, analyses are carried out, strategies are discussed and measures are debated.

In 2020, the Diversity Round Table published a so-called first consensus: ‘For an artistic and cultural landscape of the society of the many!’. This was followed by a statement on the work situation of people with a ‘diversity background’ - as an appeal to step up efforts to create and maintain prospects for those working in the arts and culture who are not secure.

On the one hand, the focus area ‘Interculture and Diversity’ is integrated into this programme. On the other hand, the discourses under the previous title of ‘Culture of the Freedom of Culture’ will be incorporated here. 

With a view to racist, sexist and other attacks against artists and cultural institutions, the NRWKS organised the digital panel series ‘Was heißt hier: We?’ to reflect on the cultural scene - with a preliminary analogue conclusion on a panel at the Cultural Policy Congress in Berlin.

The topic of diversity was also addressed in 2024: The presentation of the impressive results of the ‘I am from here’ project, which was announced in 2023, took place as part of the 50th anniversary.15 member cities took part and awarded the prizes funded by the NRWKS in 2024. 

A series of talks on ‘Culture, anti-Semitism and democracy’ began in several member cities with a panel discussion at the Schauspielhaus Düsseldorf, in cooperation with the Kulturrat and Städtetag NRW. The funding programme will be continued in 2025 - including with panels and other discursive events on the topic. The NRWKS is firmly opposed to all forms of anti-Semitism!

Current maximum funding amount for a project with a discursive component: 8,000 euros.  
Current maximum funding for a purely discursive format: 1,500 euros.