Third-Party Funded Project: Culture at Regional Level Between Endogenous and Exogenous Factors [Krux – Kultur auf regionaler Ebene zwischen endogenen und exogenen Faktoren]

Principal Investigators: Tobias Chilla, Stephan Kröner, Lisa Birnbaum

Staff: Jessica Fittkau, Carola Wilhelm

Period: 2023-2026
Funding: Federal Office for Agriculture and Food

Abstract:

Vital cultural events in rural areas are an important factor in the quality of life. Cultural activities are embedded in local (“endogenous”) and supraregional (“exogenous”) contexts. So far, little is known about the relationship between endogenous and exogenous actors, their resources, and networks with regard to successful cultural work in rural areas.

The aim of the project Krux is to systematically analyze endogenous and exogenous factors. On this basis, offer and demand potentials for the cultural, social, and economic viability of cultural activities will then be identified.

The research questions are:

(a) What influence do endogenous and exogenous aspects exert on the success of offers for cultural activities in rural regions? Is there an ideal mix of exogenous and endogenous elements, especially with regard to providers, demanders, and supporting institutions?

(b) What conclusions can be drawn from this relationship for cultural work in rural areas?

The project operationalizes the research question on two levels – first, a nationwide scoping analysis is conducted, and second, in-depth regional case studies are analyzed. Key influencing factors are identified on the basis of concrete case studies. We are going to conduct

(a) a mapping of cultural offers,

(b) a value creation mapping and

(c) a network analysis

This again will be systematically differentiated with regard to local (endogenous) developments and supra-regional (exogenous) actors and their resources.

In a final transfer phase, two „future workshops” will be conducted, one at the federal level and another one in each of the case study regions. The findings will be processed as recommendations for action to identify and activate endogenous and exogenous potentials for vital cultural events.