Thuringian museums in financial distress: rescue through higher subsidies demanded!
Thuringian Museum Association calls for more cultural resources and warns of personnel and financial crises in the museum landscape.

Thuringian museums in financial distress: rescue through higher subsidies demanded!
Things are boiling in the heart of Thuringia - and not just among the artists. The Thuringian Museum Association is sounding the alarm: The situation of many museums is anything but rosy. While around four million visitors storm the cultural sites every year, they struggle with a persistent shortage of staff and the threat of austerity measures. The association is now demanding a higher share of the country's cultural budget in order to stop these unpleasant developments. So reported my-kirchenzeitung.de.
State Secretary for Culture Steffen Teichert was able to avert the cancellation of funding in the budget negotiations, but the budget for museum funding will remain constant until 2027. Given the prevailing challenges, this is hardly sufficient, as Teichert himself admits that the country is not providing enough money overall. Association president Roland Krischke describes the situation of many museums as precarious and calls for more financial support for staff. A way out could be found through restructuring, but that remains wishful thinking so far.
Shortage of staff and volunteer work
The staffing situation in particular is causing headaches for museum operators. The municipal cost-cutting measures have unpleasant consequences: a lack of skilled personnel and an increasing dependence on volunteers to maintain operations. “Museum work cannot only be done by volunteers,” warns Krischke and emphasizes the urgency of a professional team. n-tv.de highlights that in many cases there is only one position for several municipal museums, which makes the situation even more delicate.
Weekend operations often have to be managed by voluntary helpers and volunteers. This increases the pressure on employees and reduces the quality of care for the collections. The established museums see themselves as having a duty to ensure quality and, in particular, to ensure social interaction. “Especially in difficult times, the role of museums in education and identity is enormously important,” says Teichert.
Financial incentives and future visions
Where should the necessary financial support come from? There is an urgent need for incentives to invest in museums, and not just for the shining lighthouse projects. The Thuringian Museum Association has already made concrete proposals for financing reform in 2024. “We want better equipment and fewer bureaucratic hurdles,” explains Krischke. But while there are positive developments, such as the Henneberger Land Collection Center in Veßra Monastery or the newly founded Museum Network South, most museums in Thuringia remain at risk. sueddeutsche.de reports that numerous facilities are stuck in an investment backlog due to the financial situation, particularly in energy-efficient renovation and the preservation of their buildings.
The Thuringian Museum Association, which represents around 236 museums, is not only demanding a financial increase, but also an appreciation of the museum's work. The fact that museums reach many different segments of the population is something that should not go unnoticed. The fight for more justice in cultural funding will continue - the question is how long museums can hold out.