The Berlin Senate met yesterday to discuss how to support artists and cultural workers during the Corona crisis. The Senate resolved to convince the Bundesrat (German council of states) to request that the Federal government support artists and freelancers in cultural and media by paying them a flat fee of 1,180€ monthly while they are unable to work. In Baden-Württemburg, this initiative has already been combined with the Federal “Soforthilfe” programme.
If this goes through, it won’t be influenced by savings or assets – just a flat fee to cover living expenses. The decision in Berlin is only at the Senate level so far, so there is still a long way to go. There might be opposition. But it an important decision and we will wait eagerly to see how it develops.
Press release from the Senate here.
