We want to work as transparent as possible:
SchwuZ was founded in 1977 and is Germany’s oldest queer club and largest queer cultural institution. SchwuZ has been located in the rooms of the old Kindl brewery in Neukölln, its fourth location in 43 years, since 2013
The rooms are operated by SchwuZ Kulturveranstaltungs GmbH, which is 100% owned by SchwuZ e.V.. The SchwuZ therefore belongs directly to the community and not to any private person.
As a result of the move, around 1.5 million Euros have been invested on the premises at the Neukölln location to date. In addition, SchwuZ at this moment has around 100 employees and an average of around 300 freelancers working for the club, such as DJs, artists, external staff and technicians who all have to be paid per month.
How is the actual situation?
Hey you lovely SchwuZ fans,
it’s been a while since we gave you a proper update on how we’re doing at the moment. That’s what we want to do with this. First of all, we would like to wish you all a healthy and confident new year. Because even if it still seems like a long way out of the pandemic at the moment, this way has begun and we are about to make it together.
A story from a SchwuZ employee begins something like this: “How great would it be if the entire SchwuZ took a vacation for one week a year so that no one had to work.” Now it has been almost 1 year since the SchwuZ had to close its doors for an unforeseeable time. The week turned into weeks and it turned into months and now we are facing the unbelievable anniversary of the one year closure. And at the moment it is impossible to say when we will be able to continue. We are full of hope that from the 3rd quarter of 2021 we will be able to meet again in some form together with you in our rooms.
And until then, we continue to rely on support. We are encouraged by your ongoing support and solidarity. And the support we have received so far in the way of federal financial help and other aid support programs gives us confidence. Although the constant adjustment of the conditions for the federal financial help programs also create a bit of uncertainty, because so far no one can say with absolute certainty what will have to be paid back from the advance payments made so far when the final bill comes. We are therefore happy that we have been able to pay most of the fixed costs and the salaries of our colleagues. And we were a little lucky to be able to take out a bank credit so early, even if it will have to be paid back at some point.
Furthermore, we are in negotiations with our landlord to reduce the rent for the period of the closure. Basically, we think that the real estate sector has so far contributed too little to dealing with the costs of the pandemic. Whether in the commercial rent or residential rent sector. The vast majority of real estate owners still demand 100% of the rent payments. Housing is a fundamental right and so should the practice of one’s trade. And when a global pandemic limits or damages these rights, it is the responsibility of ALL to participate in addressing them. This is an call for everyone to face this task together.
In the past updates, we have already presented our financial situation in detail, also from the time before the Corona crisis. The conclusion remains that cultural institutions are always on the edge and will never generate above-average profits. The unlimited commercialization of art and culture is the death of creativity. This must be prevented, and always. And we also know that even after a reopening, not everything will and can run as usual. On the one hand, because some conditions have changed, and on the other hand, because it simply takes a while to grow again. And we want to prepare ourselves for this time, so that we can get through it well. That’s why we appreciate your support and are indebted to you.
So that the support of your favorite club still seems possible, our team has thought of a wonderful action with the SchwuZ praline calendar for 2021, which has worked fantastically. There are still a few copies left and the year still has 11 months, so it is still worth buying to support SchwuZ. And currently we offer the calendar at a reduced price of only 15 euros plus shipping. Click to Shop!
And that’s not all. More great SchwuZ gimmicks are in the pipeline. And we can’t wait to offer them to you and get your support for them. Because despite the crisis, our great team is bubbling over with ideas. We would also like to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU to our team, who are working tirelessly to ensure that there is no doubt at all that we can get through this challenging time and emerge stronger than ever. THANK YOU SchwuZ-TEAM!!!
The different possibilities to support us with donations are
Bank transfer:
SchwuZ Kulturveranstaltungs GmbH
IBAN: DE05 1004 0000 0534 5772 02
intended purpose: donation SchwuZ
We stay strong, you do too. And stay healthy.
Your SchwuZ.