Whoever funds culture often determines its room for action. In times of budget cuts and growing dependence on funding, the question arises: how free can the cultural scene really be? The panel discusses power structures in cultural funding and the challenges for an independent cultural scene. What alternative funding models do we need – and how can self-determined structures emerge beyond state funding?
Thomas Scheele (Toomuch)
Bio
Thomas is a Senior Project Manager at VibeLab in Berlin with over 15 years of experience in nightlife as a performer, event host, promoter and venue operator, alongside a decade of work in nightlife advocacy.
Driven by a passion for innovative cultural spaces, Thomas has led projects such as Spree:publik and Fluctuations, exploring waterways as sites for public life and culture. Their work also focuses on sustainable touring models and strategies to reduce the environmental impact of the event sector.
Alongside his professional work, Thomas aka Toomuch is an active House dancer and organizer in Berlin’s dance community with his project „Tanzen3000“, advocating for stronger connections between dance, club culture and healthier, more sustainable nightlife.