taz.de
Berlin's Volksbühne Seeks New Director Amidst Calls for Collective Leadership
Following the death of director René Pollesch, Berlin's Volksbühne theater faces a leadership decision. The selection process, overseen by Senator Joe Chialo, is criticized for its lack of transparency, with a collective, Staub zu Glitzer, advocating for a radical, collectively-run model to replace the traditional director.
- What are the underlying causes of the conflict between traditional theater management and calls for a more democratic model at the Volksbühne?
- Staub zu Glitzer's application challenges the traditional top-down structure of the theater, advocating for a 'commons' model involving employees, neighbors, and academics in decision-making. This follows past attempts to democratize the Volksbühne, highlighting ongoing tensions between traditional theater management and calls for greater inclusivity and community engagement.
- Who will lead the Volksbühne theater, and what immediate impact will their appointment have on its artistic direction and community engagement?
- The Volksbühne theater in Berlin is searching for a new director after the death of René Pollesch. While the cultural administration expects a decision in the first or second quarter of 2024, names like Florentina Holzinger and Ersan Mondtag are circulating, though Mondtag faces accusations of misconduct. A collective, Staub zu Glitzer, has also applied, proposing a radical, collectively-run model.
- How might Staub zu Glitzer's proposed model of collective leadership impact the future of state-funded theaters, and what are the potential challenges and benefits of such an approach?
- The selection process lacks transparency, raising concerns. Staub zu Glitzer's proposal, while ambitious, could reshape the relationship between the theater and its community, potentially influencing other cultural institutions. The outcome will significantly impact the Volksbühne's artistic direction and its role in Berlin's cultural landscape.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames Staub zu Glitzer's proposal favorably, highlighting its innovative and progressive aspects while downplaying potential challenges or drawbacks of a completely collective model. The repeated use of terms like "radical democratic" and "progressive" leans towards a positive portrayal.
Language Bias
The article uses loaded language such as "Machtmissbrauch" (abuse of power) in relation to one candidate and consistently portrays Staub zu Glitzer's proposal with positive adjectives like "progressive" and "innovative." Neutral alternatives could include describing Mondtag's alleged behavior as "reported misconduct" instead of "Machtmissbrauch" and framing Staub zu Glitzer's proposal as "unconventional" or "alternative" instead of solely using positive adjectives.
Bias by Omission
The article omits details about the composition of the expert committee advising the Senator, and the specific reasons for the previous interim solution's collapse beyond budget cuts. It also doesn't detail the content of the "20 letters of intent" supporting Staub zu Glitzer's application, limiting the reader's ability to fully assess the level of support.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a false dichotomy between a traditional top-down leadership model and Staub zu Glitzer's collective model, neglecting potential alternative leadership structures that might combine elements of both.
Gender Bias
While the article mentions several individuals, there's no noticeable gender imbalance in representation or language used. However, the use of gender-neutral terms like "Mitarbeiter:innen" and similar throughout the article might be seen as a stylistic choice aiming for inclusivity rather than reflecting inherent bias.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article discusses a collective, Staub zu Glitzer, advocating for a radically democratic model for the Volksbühne theatre, challenging traditional top-down structures. Their proposal promotes participatory decision-making, involving employees, community members, and experts in shaping the theatre's programming and operations. This aligns with Quality Education's focus on inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities.