KATHRIN LÖTSCHER SUCCEEDS MARCO BADILATTI
After sixteen years as Managing Director of the Union of Swiss Theatres (UST), Marco Badilatti left in mid-July, having reached retirement age. The Executive Board has appointed the 39-year-old cultural studies specialist and culture manager Kathrin Lötscher as his successor. She will assume her post on 1 August. Following this personnel change, the Union is relocating its administrative office to Basel.
UST and ZUA Conference
DIALOGUE BETWEEN THEATRE AND EDUCATION
The Union of Swiss Theatres (UST) and the Zurich University of the Arts intend to continue their successful cooperation. As part of their series of educational and youth projects, they are staging an educational conference on 24/25 September 2010 in Zurich. Its topic will be ‘Theatre-Cultural mediation-School. A dialogue’, and it is open to teachers and theatre professionals.
Implementation of the Federal Law on the Promotion of Culture
THE MESSAGE ON CULTURE AND THE ORDINANCE ON SUPPORT FOR CULTURAL ORGANISATIONS COME NEXT
Following the approval by the Swiss parliament in December 2009 of the new Federal Law on the Promotion of Culture, the Federal Office of Culture is currently working on its first implementation measures. This includes, first of all, a message on culture for the 2011-2015 period, as well as an ordinance on support for cultural organisations.
INCREASE IN THEATRE AUDIENCES DESPITE ECONOMICS CRISIS
The number of theatre-goers recorded by the 30 biggest professional theatres affiliated to the Union of Swiss Theatres (UST) rose by around 50,000 during the 2008/2009 season. This corresponds to more than three per cent growth over the previous year. It is especially grati-fying because audience numbers rose both in French-speaking and German-speaking Switzerland, and did so despite the difficult economic situation.
"NEW"
THEATRE PROFESSIONS PROMOTED
The Union of Swiss Theatres (UST) supports the efforts of professional organisations to promote the training and recognition of more theatre-related professions by the Federal authorities. At the moment, the focus is on basic training in professional event management and the recognition of the professional qualification of make-up artists.
Cross-border converences in Switzerland
CULTURE IS THE FUTURE OF THE CITY
Theatres, orchestras, museums and other cultural institutions are vital for the future of cities. They form the basis for a flourishing of urban life. At the same time, they foster a discourse in urban society and make a vital contribution to cultural education.
RESEARCH TO ASSIST DISABLED PEOPLE
The Union of Swiss Theatres (UST) will take part in a project launched by the Federal Government on behalf of disabled people. This will investigate how accessible theatres are for disabled visitors and artists. At the same it, proposals are to be formulated by the autumn of 2010 on how to improve access.
Informative results of the national survey
CULTURAL ACTIVITIES IN SWITZERLAND
Attending concerts, visiting historical sites and going to the cinema are the most popular cultural activities in Switzerland. Around two-thirds of the population participate in them. Young people tend to have a higher level of involvement, especially going to the cinema or to concerts. Interest in the theatre is in the mid-range. These are the findings of a survey conducted and published by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) and the Federal Office of Culture (FOS).
