Thomas Baerens has been a music officer at the Ministry of Culture since 2007. He previously worked in the literature, theater and regional cultural promotion departments. Before joining the Ministry, he taught at grammar schools and comprehensive schools for five years. He studied musicology, music education and German studies, majoring in trombone. Thomas Baerens is involved in programs to promote the independent music scene, including projects, ensemble funding and the European Center Stadtgarten/NICA.