Women shape art and culture - as artists, cultural workers, researchers and in the audience. And yet decision-making power, support and visibility are still unequally distributed. What does it take for equality in the arts and culture sector to finally become a reality? Which structures need to change? And what can feminist cultural policy look like?
These questions were addressed by FIFTITU%, the feminist networking centre for women* in art and culture, on Monday evening with Eva-Maria Holzleitner, Federal Minister for Women, Science and Research, and experts from art and culture in one of the glass lecture halls at the University of Art and Design Linz. They discussed power relations, visibility, working conditions and the question of how art can be strengthened as a democratic practice.
Women's Affairs Minister Eva-Maria Holzleitner commented: "Art and culture are always a reflection of social power relations. Feminist cultural policy also means scrutinising these structures and creating equal opportunities for everyone. Together, we will improve the framework conditions for artists and cultural workers by anchoring gender budgeting more firmly in the allocation of funding, plans for the advancement of women and the consistent implementation of measures to protect against violence."
Press release from the University of Art and Design Linz dated 10 March 2026
© Vio Wakolbinger