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Mayor Benz and Head of Cultural Affairs Baumann are focusing on networking and innovation
The science city of Darmstadt is strategically repositioning its cultural policy. Mayor Hanno Benz, together with the new head of the cultural affairs office, Britt Baumann, is initiating a phase of targeted development of the city's cultural landscape. The goal is to secure the city's strong cultural identity for the long term while simultaneously responding to societal changes.
Strong base with international appeal
Darmstadt boasts an exceptionally rich cultural foundation. With the UNESCO World Heritage Site <a href=“https://www.mathildenhoehe-darmstadt.de“ target=“_blank“ rel=“noopener“>Mathildenhöhe Darmstadt,</a> the city possesses a globally unique ensemble of architecture and art. In addition, there is the <a href=“https://www.hlmd.de“ target=“_blank“ rel=“noopener“>Hessian State Museum Darmstadt</a> with its important Beuys collection, as well as the <a href=“https://www.staatstheater-darmstadt.de“ target=“_blank“ rel=“noopener“>Darmstadt State Theatre</a> .
This profile is complemented by a diverse independent scene as well as nationally influential institutions such as PEN Deutschland" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pen Germany and the German Academy for Language and Literature .
Mayor Benz emphasizes the central role of culture for urban development: culture is not only a location factor, but the heart of social cohesion.
Three strategic priorities
The reorganization focuses on three central guiding principles:
Structural sharpening:
Existing offerings should be strengthened in their appeal and better integrated with each other.
Participation and opening up:
Cultural offerings should become even more accessible in order to reach new audiences and ensure participation.
Digital and content-related transformation:
The administration and communication of culture are being adapted to modern standards in order to further develop Darmstadt as an attractive location for national and international cultural professionals.
Framework plan for culture as a community project
The new cultural framework plan is designed to last two years and follows a participatory approach. Stakeholders from the cultural sector, business, and urban society will be intensively involved.
This involves close cooperation between the cultural affairs office, the economic development agency, Darmstadt Marketing, and the vacancy management department. One of the goals is to facilitate temporary cultural uses and to stimulate development in the city center.
The new head of the cultural affairs office, Britt Baumann, brings extensive experience from her work at the city of Offenbach am Main. There, she worked in strategic marketing and in the cultural and creative industries, among other areas, and most recently served as deputy head of the cultural affairs office.
Mayor Benz also emphasized that the city intends to remain a reliable partner for cultural associations and volunteers, even in financially challenging times. Stabilizing the budget should ensure planning security.
With the personnel realignment – following the appointment of Dr. Philipp Gutbrod as Head of Cultural Affairs – the city sees its municipal cultural work as strategically strengthened. The goal remains to reach as many people as possible in Darmstadt with a vibrant and citizen-oriented cultural program.
DARMSTADT – RED/PSD/ho/jdi
Featured image: Britt Baumann, Head of the Cultural Affairs Office. Photo: City of Darmstadt
