Ten years after the Berlin Comic Manifesto: What about the promotion and recognition of the German comic culture?

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Titel: Die Comicförderung in Deutschland – Zehn Jahre nach dem Berliner Comicmanifest Untertitel: Eine Bilanz und die Herausforderungen für die Zukunft Anfang September jährt sich zum zehnten Mal die Veröffentlichung des Berliner Comicmanifests, das von rund 100 Akteur:innen der deutschen Kultur- und Comicszene vorgestellt wurde. Die Kernforderungen des Manifests waren eine finanzielle Förderung von Comicprojekten, die gleiche Anerkennung des Comics wie Literatur und bildender Kunst sowie die Schaffung eines deutschen Comicinstituts. In den vergangenen zehn Jahren hat sich die Lage für die deutsche Comic-Kultur deutlich verbessert, jedoch gibt es immer noch Herausforderungen, die es zu bewältigen gilt. Eine der Hauptforderungen …
Title: Comic funding in Germany- ten years after the Berlin Comic Manifesto subtitle: A balance and the challenges for the future in early September marks the tenth anniversary of the publication of the Berlin Comic Manifesto, which was presented by around 100 players: inside of the German cultural and comic scene. The core demands of the manifesto were financial support for comic projects, the same recognition of comic such as literature and visual art as well as the creation of a German comic institute. The situation for German comic culture has improved significantly in the past ten years, but there are still challenges that need to be mastered. One of the main demands ... (Symbolbild/MB)

Title: Comic promotion in Germany - ten years after the Berlin Comic Manifest

subtitle: a balance and the challenges for the future

At the beginning of September, the publication of the Berlin Comic Manifesto, which was presented by around 100 players: inside of the German cultural and comic scene. The core demands of the manifesto were financial support for comic projects, the same recognition of comic such as literature and visual art as well as the creation of a German comic institute. In the past ten years, the situation for German comic culture has improved significantly, but there are still challenges that need to be mastered.

One of the main demands of the comic manifesto, the financial support of comic projects, has been achieved in recent years. There are now a higher number of direct grants exclusively for comics, both on a public and private level. Many institutions have also opened their tenders for comic projects. Nevertheless, there is still potential for further funding and stronger support for comic culture in Germany.

The recognition of the comic as an independent art form has made great progress, especially in Berlin. The comic scholarship of the Berlin Senate, which was introduced at the instigation of the German Comic Association 2018, is unexpectedly in Germany and the number of funded artists: inside. Also at the federal level, the first tender of the German Literature Fund for Comicasians in 2023 achieved equal treatment of the medium.

The demand for the creation of a German comic institute is encountered in times of scarce public health insurance funds and expensive infrastructure. Nevertheless, the German comic scene is dynamic and diverse and fulfills important tasks in the representation and further development of the medium. However, a nationwide comic institute would be desirable to offer comic artists: inside a contact point for collaborations, scientific reflection and cultural education. The German Comic Association is already examining the establishment of a corresponding place in Berlin.

Since its foundation in 2014, the German Comic Association has actively worked on the implementation of the demands of the comic manifest. The association was particularly involved in the introduction of funding programs such as the Berlin Comic Scholarship and the accompaniment of the tender of the German literary fund for comic professionals. By participating in national and international festivals, the comic club contributes to the increase in the perception of the German comic.

With the introduction of the new scholarship of the German Literature Fund for Comicasians in 2023, there is now a nationwide funding with high ending for the first time. However, the exact tender guidelines are aimed primarily at established applicants: inside, which has caused criticism from the comic scene. However, the comic association tries to take into account the comic -specific conditions in the jury and is committed to constant further development and widening of the funding landscape.

Despite the progress in comic funding, there are still challenges to cope with. The perception of the comic as a versatile and quality cultural asset must be further strengthened. In addition, the work of the comical workers and the variety of topics and possibilities that the medium offers should find more recognition. The support of publishers is also important to improve the presence of the comic at national book events and international festivals. A close cooperation between organizers and publishers could contribute to this.

Finally, it can be said that comic funding in Germany has made great progress in the past ten years. Nevertheless, there are still challenges to overcome the comic as an independent art form and to adequately support artists: inside and publishers. The German Comic Association is committed to continuous further development of the comic landscape and is working on implementing the demands of the comic manifest