Cultural Impulses and Community Projects: Düsseldorf's Cultural Policy in April 2026

Cultural Creators and Institutions in the Spotlight

In April 2026, Düsseldorf's Cultural Committee faced a number of decisions that will shape the city's cultural landscape in the long term. Particularly noticeable was the strong support for creative and non-profit projects that pursue not only artistic, but also social and educational goals. The legal form change of the Aquazoo Löbbecke Museum and the expanded support for the club and live music scene are outstanding examples in this context.

Legal Form Change of the Aquazoo Löbbecke Museum: Path to Greater Independence

The state capital of Düsseldorf decided to change the legal form of the Aquazoo Löbbecke Museum in order to grant the institution more freedom in areas such as advertising, marketing, and sponsorship. The goal is to make the Aquazoo more independent and to enable spatial expansion in the long term. The change in legal form is part of a comprehensive strategy to position the Aquazoo as an attractive cultural offering in North Rhine-Westphalia.

The CDU and BÜNDNIS 90/DIE GRÜNEN explicitly supported this step, as they consider strengthening the institution in organizational and structural terms to be necessary. A feasibility study for spatial expansion has already been commissioned, showing that the city of Düsseldorf is acting with long-term thinking.

Support for the Club and Live Music Scene: Impulses for Subculture

Another central topic was the support for the club and live music scene. The Cultural Committee approved a total of 59,475 EUR for projects in this area, including 525 EUR for compensation for the jury members. The support is aimed at both established and new actors – from well-known venues like Maschinendorf gGmbH to cultural initiatives such as Saferoomsessions Collective e.V.

The supported projects range from concert series such as "More Subculture for Düsseldorf" to specific DJ sets and collaborations with other cultural institutions. The jury consisted of experts such as Rajiv Strauß and Waltraud Blischke, who evaluated the projects based on artistic quality and social relevance.

The city of Düsseldorf emphasizes that the support is not only aimed at established clubs, but also creates space for individuals such as DJs. This is also part of a pilot procedure introduced in the September 2025 session and referred to as the "Windhund procedure." However, criticism came from Councilwoman Gelbke-Mößmer, who called for a better distribution of funds and more transparency in the rejection of applications.

Culture in Public Spaces and for All Population Groups

In April 2026, Düsseldorf also set impulses to make cultural offerings more accessible to all population groups. It was decided that accompanying persons of severely disabled visitors will in the future receive free entry to the Aquazoo. Members of the German Museum Association (Deutscher Museumsbund, DMB) also benefit from free entry, which strengthens the networking with other cultural institutions.

There were also decisions for the city libraries aimed at increasing inclusiveness and participation. Users with the NRW Volunteer Card will in the future be exempt from the usage fee. In addition, the usage regulations are being adjusted to take into account legal changes and new court decisions. These measures show that Düsseldorf remains not only culturally, but also socially active.

Outlook: Culture as a Central Component of Urban Development

The decisions of the Cultural Committee in April 2026 show that Düsseldorf sees culture not only as entertainment, but as a central component of urban development. The support of subculture, the strengthening of education and inclusion, and the expansion of cultural institutions such as the Aquazoo are examples of how the city implements its cultural policy agenda sustainably.

In May and June 2026, it is expected that the first projects of the April decisions will become concrete – whether through the opening of the Day of Open Monuments in the Audimax building or through the implementation of the supported club and live music projects. The city of Düsseldorf thus demonstrates that cultural policy does not only aim at events, but also at structures that ensure participation and cultural diversity in the long term.