The Sociocultural Sector : Germany

A sociocultural sector has been evolving in the Federal Republic of Germany over the past 25 years. It has its origins in the projects and initiatives of the “free” and “alternative” cultural scene which developed in the 1970s as a counterpoint to established and institutionalized cultural facilities. Independent groups of artists, amateur and women’s art groups, citizens’ action groups, historical societies and many other initiatives developed new fora for artistic and cultural activities.

There are now more than 350 sociocultural centers nationwide which reached 11 million visitors/users in 1995. Independent theater groups, art schools for young people and women’s cultural centers are meanwhile just as much a part of the nation’s cultural scene as the programs offered by the municipal offices of cultural affairs. The great diversity which today characterizes Germany’s cultural life would have been inconceivable without the impetus provided by the sociocultural movement 25 years ago.