The Government Council has elected three new and eight existing members of the Commission for Cultural Affairs for the 2013-2016 term of office. The commission advises the government on cultural policy issues.
Newly elected committee members are: Sabina Binggeli-Brogle, long-standing member of the Board of Trustees and President of the Pro Argovia Cultural Foundation, Lenzburg; Walter Leimgruber, Professor of Folklore at the University of Basel and Franziska Reck, filmmaker and film producer, Zurich.
The President of the Commission for Cultural Affairs continues to be the Director of Culture, State Assemblyman Alex Hürzeler. Hanspeter Thür, Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner, President of Theater Tuchlaube, Aarau, serves as Vice President.
The re-elected members are: Lieni Füglistaller, former National Councillor, Rudolfstetten-Friedlisberg; Hedy Graber, Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Directorate of the Migros Cooperative Federation, Zurich; Linus Hüsser, historian, Ueken; Josef Meier, President of the Aargauer Kunstverein, Wettingen; Ruth Soland, Artistic Director of Klanc, mezzo-soprano and music teacher, Zofingen; Maja Wanner, President of Klosterspiele Wettingen, Würenlos.
The following people did not stand for re-election for the 2013-2016 term of office: Simon Libsig, author and storyteller, Baden; Urs Pilgrim, President of Murikultur, Muri; Gillian White, visual artist, Leibstadt.
The commission's tasks include, in particular, advising on the allocation of operating contributions to communal and private cultural institutions of at least cantonal importance. The commission is also consulted on major cultural projects that affect the Swisslos fund, on overarching projects in the areas of monument preservation, archaeology, museums, libraries and archives or on landmark decisions regarding cultural mediation by the cantonal government.
