Cultural organizations in St. Gallen and Saxony protest budget cuts

Six cultural regions in the Swiss canton of St. Gallen have issued a joint communiqué warning against proposed budget cuts within the 2026 Plus relief package. The organizations, including Kultur St. Gallen Plus and Rheintaler Kulturstiftung, argue that many artists and institutions are already operating with limited funds. The proposed changes would reduce the canton's contribution to regional cultural funding from one franc for every municipal franc to 75 rappen. The groups warn that these reductions could lead to the cancellation of events, the restriction of institutional operations, and a potential withdrawal of municipal funding.

In Germany, the Interest Group of State Cultural Associations in Saxony is also protesting planned cuts in the 2027/2028 double budget. The group has called for corrections regarding the Cultural Space Act, protection for the State Cultural Foundation, and the strengthening of cultural education. In response to the budget draft, Claudia Maicher of the BÜNDNISGRÜNEN parliamentary group has submitted inquiries to the Saxon State Parliament, accusing the Ministry of Culture of misleading the public regarding the stability of cultural funding.