ART IS NO EXCUSE

A manifesto by auawirleben

Respect comes first!
At all stages of our collaboration, all permanent and temporary staff, artists, crew members, freelancers and temporaries will meet on a par and treat each other in a respectful and friendly way. We do not tolerate violence, sexual assault, abuse of power, discriminatory behaviour and language and act against it should it arise.

We love diversity!
When it comes to our team members or the artists we work with, we do not discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, physical and mental preconditions, faith, social class, education or age. We reflect the diversity of our society in our team and our programme. We put measures in place to ensure this, in the recruitment of staff, the artistic assessment process and in respect to access requirements.

aua for everyone!
We address a diverse audience with a thematically varied programme, an open festival atmosphere and by taking measures to increase accessibility to the festival events.

We take care!
Self-care, emotionality and individual paces have their place in our everyday work and during the festival. We make sure that everyone's needs are respected and that we communicate our own needs within the collaboration.

We work together!
We cultivate exchange with other cultural organisers, share our knowledge openly and collaborate for the benefit of artists and audiences. We explicitly do not insist on (national) premiere rights and instead try to win other venues and festivals for touring co-operations. We do not see other cultural organisers as competitors, instead we nurture relationships with them based on partnership.

We are transparent!
The budget and the annual report of auawirleben Theaterfestival Bern are public. We publish the yearly salaries as well as the salary structure of permanent staff. We actively communicate relevant board memberships, seats on juries and commissions and similar activities of the core team on the website.

We’re systematic!
All employees, freelancers and interns receive fair and competitive salaries and wages, as well as employee benefits and pension scheme contributions, regardless of pay grade. The salaries of permanent employees are calculated according to a defined salary system and are not negotiable. There are no pay rises based on performance evaluations.

We find solutions!
Being employed at auawirleben is compatible with different life paths. If an employee’s life circumstances change, we’ll look for solutions.

We value art!
Artists are paid at least union minimum rates, as recommended by the Swiss theatre union t. Theaterschaffende Schweiz. In addition, we pay royalties, transport, travel, accommodation, and per diems. We do not accept artists’ offers to work below these standards. Co-productions receive an additional financial co-production contribution.

We love the world!
Our office is run with an eye on the reduction of our energy and material consumption. We look for sustainable solutions for our marketing and merchandising materials, the festival scenography and technical equipment. We recycle and reuse expendable supplies and materials. Backstage catering, the festival bars and kitchen do not use disposable tableware and individual, and shop locally, organically, vegetarian and seasonal.

We stay on the ground!
Team members travelling to assess shows will take the train or bus for journeys of up to 12 hours. We ask that artists take the train or bus or travel together with the set for journeys of up to 9 hours. Flights are the exception.

Revised 3rd edition (click here for PDF)
Bern, 27 November 2023

Click here for the 1st version of our manifesto, published on January 9, 2020.
Click here for the revised 2nd edition of our manifesto, published on november 11, 2021.