The representation of the different interest groups in the cultural sector – creators, producers, distributors, disseminators, audience, etc. – is based on an established system of interest groups, associations, unions and chambers (Chamber of Labour, Chamber of Economy), networks and NGOs, which exist for almost all artistic disciplines and branches of the creative industries. Furthermore, additional networks and interest groups which focus on cross-cutting issues, for example the situation of women artists and culture professionals, have been established. A wide range of actions is employed to bring their concerns to public authorities, including meetings with politicians and public authorities, contributions to consultations and expert reviews in the legislative procedures, position papers, open letters, petitions, expert-meetings with representatives of public bodies, public discussions and events, artistic interventions, media relations work, etc.
A new, transversal focus of many civil society organizations is dedicated to the inclusion of refugees, displaced persons and asylum seekers through culture-related projects. Exemplary activities to promote their active participation in cultural activities are initiated by large cultural institutions (e.g. free entrance for refugees and their accompanying persons to the Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, opening of rehearsals of the Wiener Musikverein for asylum seekers, free theatre training for juvenile refugees by the Burgtheater Wien, free instrumental lessons for juvenile refugees by the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna) as well as by initiatives of the independent sectors, e.g. the theatre performance with refugees “Schutzbefohlene performen Jelineks Schutzbefohlene” by the artists collective “Die Schweigende Mehrheit” or film workshops for unaccompanied minor refugees at the Traiskirchen refugee camp in cooperation with the film festival This Human World.