The art sector is both “happy and concerned” regarding the current situation. On the one hand, the sector is relieved that the pandemic is over, and that exhibitions and vernissages can be organised again. On the other hand, there are also challenges due to inflation, which causes costs to rise, according to CAL President Marc Hostert.
The cultural conferences for the visual arts sector in June were a “long but important process” to establish how the sector should be structured differently in the future. The results were incorporated into the cultural development plan, which was well received by the sector, according to Hostert. However, the CAL president pointed out that there is a significant difference between a culture development plan, which defines what the sector intends to do, and a culture development strategy, which requires resources. While the Luxembourg Arts Circle is working on it, Hostert stressed the importance of involving everyone equally in the process and providing them with the necessary support.
Six years ago, CAL conducted a survey among its members, which revealed that the greatest needs of artists in Luxembourg are more guidance, further training and the promotion of different types of art, such as photography and sculpture. Hostert stated that progress is being made in all of these areas at the moment. CAL has other major demands as well, including the establishment of so-called “artist estates,” or what happens to artworks when an artist dies. CAL also wants more exhibition space in Luxembourg and the creation of a visual arts encyclopaedia.
The president of CAL harshly criticised the Code of Conduct, which is also part of the cultural development plan. So far, only 90 of the country’s 120 cultural institutions have signed it, and the deadline to do so expired in mid-October. For a variety of reasons, CAL did not sign the CoC. First and foremost, the Circle believes there is a proportionality issue, with Hostert arguing that a non-profit association with a budget of €150,000 cannot be compared to a large museum with 50 employees and a substantially higher budget. Second, CAL is concerned that it is unclear who will ensure that the values established in the CoC are actually implemented.
The Circle has raised these concerns in letters to the Ministry of Culture and will meet with Minister of Culture Sam Tanson at the end of the year to discuss them. During this meeting, Hostert also wants to assure continued support for CAL. In general, the CAL president thinks that there is a “lack of dialogue and coordination” in the Grand Duchy’s cultural sector.
