ABSTRACT
Cultural institutions play a crucial role in enhancing quality of life at both individual and community levels, thereby increasing the attractiveness of regions. As rural areas face challenges in maintaining and developing cultural infrastructure, cultural cooperatives are becoming increasingly important as organizations that promote both their members’ interests and the common good. While empirical studies on cooperatives in general, and on specific types of cooperatives in particular, provide evidence of their support for rural development, research on cultural cooperatives remains limited. This qualitative single case study examines the German theater cooperative Traumschüff, a community-focused cooperative that travels by boat to various rural locations, to deepen the understanding of how it provides cultural services in these areas. By offering an open-stage concept and workshops on cultural and societal issues, the theater cooperative goes beyond merely performing plays. It integrates people’s perspectives, feelings, and problems from the region into its productions, fostering cultural participation for both members and the broader community. Highlighting the importance of social capital and trust-based relationships within an open network structure, this study demonstrates how these elements enable Traumschüff to mobilize the necessary resources to offer cultural services in rural areas – especially for a non-profit touring theater.
