Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is home to world cultural heritage sites, architectural monuments, and intangible cultural heritage known beyond its borders. Libraries, music and art schools, universities, and public cultural and educational institutions play a pivotal role in shaping the cultural landscape, alongside the self-organised independent scene. In this diverse and vibrant cultural scene, where art and culture are essential to maintaining an open and democratic society, the cultural policy guidelines underscore the necessity of preserving this diversity while ensuring that access to art and culture is facilitated and future-proofed.
In the document, ten guidelines reflect a collective commitment to the development of art and culture, achieved through a broad and intensive participation process involving hundreds of arts and culture professionals.The result emerged from well-participated discussions also supported by the 2017 State Culture Conference. This process involved regional and specialist conferences, where state associations, local and state administration, institutions, and cultural policy makers collaborated.
They highlighted the importance of regional, supra-regional, European, and international impact of cultural policy, recognising that a sense of belonging to one’s homeland and cosmopolitanism go hand in hand. Addressing global and social challenges, such as distributive and participatory justice and sustainability, requires a responsible cultural policy. Art and culture invigorate social discourse and generate creative ideas for social development, making them a cornerstone of democracy and a participatory, responsible, and sustainable way of life.
