Towards an ‘Economy for the Common Good’ in the independent performing arts
A compass for sustainability
Many people in the cultural sector would like to lead a fairer, more sustainable life. But what does that mean exactly? What is sustainability? And how can we as cultural artists use resources in a targeted, efficient way to become more sustainable?
To find a comprehensive answer to these questions, the Theaterkolleg and two independent theatre collectives have drawn up a common good balance sheet for their operations and groups, thereby applying the Economy for the Common Good in the Swiss cultural sector for the first time.
They analysed which areas are particularly helpful for culture and translated economic terms into our everyday working lives. When first encountered on the balance sheet, the Economy for the Common Good is highly time-consuming and financially intensive. It requires a lot of reading and writing and a basic understanding of business administration. The business jargon must be translated for the cultural sector and adapted to the company’s own situation. Artists and art workers struggle with these hurdles.
This project is now adopting a more direct approach to the principles of the Economy for the Common Good. This has resulted in the development of a compass that collectives and artists from the independent performing arts can use to assess their progress, how they can achieve more sustainable production, and where the greatest room for improvement lies.
The goal is to enable the principles of the Economy for the Common Good to be incorporated into their own day-to-day working practices using tried-and-tested tools.
People involved
Current:
Mirjam Berger, Das Theaterkolleg – Production Office for Independent Performing Arts, Lucerne
Madleina Cavelti, Das Theaterkolleg – Production Office for Independent Performing Arts, Lucerne
Patric Gehrig, Das Theaterkolleg – Production Office for Independent Performing Arts, Lucerne
Christoph Fellmann, author, Lucerne
Saskya Germann, stage designer, Lucerne
Nina Halpern, director, Lucerne
Birgitt Künzler, costume designer, Lucerne
Prior project phase:
Mirjam Berger, co-manager, Das Theaterkolleg, Lucerne
Christina Teuber, co-manager, Das Theaterkolleg, Lucerne
Ralf Nacke, consultant for business and Economy for the Common Good
Patric Gehrig, Bureau Substrat, freelance actor / producer / director, Lucerne
Béla Rothenbühler, Kollektiv Fetter Vetter, freelance author / dramaturge, Lucerne
Damiàn Dlaboah, Kollektiv Fetter Vetter, freelance director, Lucerne
Das Theaterkolleg
Das Theaterkolleg is a production office for independent performing arts for Central Switzerland based in Lucerne. They support over 25 artists and groups with organisational and administrative tasks – from initial concept to the final invoice.