CDP - the result of cultural democracy and participation ______________________________________ This final version of the Cultural Development Plan of the City of Linz has a chequered, exciting and stimulating history, which in itself is already a part of that "work in progress" which is how we see the plan for the future. Never before in the history of Linz and beyond had there been such a long, intensive and broad-based debate on culture and the arts in general, over pre-requisites, tasks and objectives and all other related areas, as took place during this period. This fact alone would completely justify "Project: Cultural Development Plan", generating as it did a level of attention and mobilization for culture and the arts which could never otherwise have been approached. It therefore seems appropriate to document here the most important steps leading to its creation. The first step was the commissioning by Dr. Reinhard Dyk, city councillor for culture and the arts, of two studies about the recent history, the present situation and the perspectives for the cultural development of the city. Parallel to this, drafts for international and Austrian urban cultural models were examined to see if they were relevant to circumstances in Linz. In the course of many rounds of discussions, talks and private meetings, the working group "Cultural Development Plan" and the directors of the Linz cultural institutes representing their own areas of responsibility developed basic principles in writing. At the same time the City invited a range of experts to offer opinions and suggestions for the cultural development of Linz. From these, fundamentals proposals were included in the draft of basic principles; the contributions of the experts were also published complete in a separate volume as an appendix to the draft of basic principles. On the basis of this scholarly work and the contributions of the experts a first draft for further discussion was presented to the public as "Cultural Development Plan, draft of principles" in the autumn of 1997. 1998 was devoted to a broad-based discussion on this draft of principles for the Linz Cultural Development Plan. Numerous contributions in writing and via the internet, vocal interventions and spontaneous rounds of talks opened up a wide field of proposals, wishes and criticisms. In a further step creative and performing artists, political committees, representatives of institutions, experts, representatives from the media and interested citizens were invited to special rounds of discussions. Many such meetings enjoyed the lively participation of large numbers and produced a wealth of ideas and proposals. A general open discussion took place on two days in September 1998 in the Old Town Hall; this meeting also was attended by citizens of Linz with a special interest in the arts, as well as by artists and cultural experts. At every stage the interim findings were discussed with the mayor, the councillor for the arts and the members of the cultural committee. Suggestions and proposals from these meetings were integrated into the working process. The broadly-based participation in the discussions, their generally high standard and above all the committment with which they were carried out demonstrate the high priority of cultural development in Linz for artists, promoters of culture and active citizens. On the basis of the draft of principles of July 1997, and incorporating the results of the discussions, the "Group of Experts for the CDP" under the project leadership of Culture Director Mag. Siegbert Janko and Univ.Prof. Dr. Reinhard Kannonier transformed the experts' proposals into the "Cultural Development Plan for Linz". The "Group of Experts for the CDP" comprises: Rudolf Danielczyk (KUPF); Mag. Christian Denkmaier (Culture Dept); Dr. Reinhard Dyk (Linz City Councillor, Culture and the Arts); Dr. Helmut Gamsjäger (libraries); Mag. Eva Gütlinger (Culture Dept.); Mag. Hubert Hummer (Adult Education Institute); Mag. Siegbert Janko (Culture Director); Univ.Prof. Dr. Reinhard Kannonier (Johannes Kepler University); Dr. Gabriele Kepplinger (City Workshop); Dr. Michael Klügl (Theatre of Upper Austria); Dr. Peter Leisch (Culture Dept.); Ferry Öllinger (Festival of the Regions); Dr. Christine Scöpf (ORF Upper Austrian Studio); Ing. Gerfried Stocker (Ars Electronica Center); Andreas Wahl (Kupf O.Ö.); Wolfgang Winkler (LIVA); Univ.Prof. Walter Wippersberg (University of Applied Art, Vienna); Mag. Rainer Zendron (University for Design, Linz). On the basis of the experts' document the cultural committee produced the final version of the Cultural Development Plan and laid it before the City Council, where it was unanimously approved. It is important that the unique nature of the process by which the CDP came into being be carried over into its realisation. We appeal to interested citizens, experts, artists and those working in the field of culture to work together for the realisation of the Linz Cultural Development Plan, offering further ideas and proposals in the spirit of this "work in progress". Culture Director Mag. Siegbert Janko Univ.Prof. Dr. Reinhard Kannonier Project Leaders Cultural Development Plan Cultural Development Plan CONTACT Culture Director Mag. Siegbert Janko Cultural Office of the City of Linz A-4041 Linz, Hauptstraße 1 - 5 Phone: +43 (0)70/7070-2930 Fax: +43 (0)70/7070-2955 mail: info@mag.linz.at