German art academies warn of massive savings plans

Multiple major academies of the arts warn of the consequences of massive cuts in culture. "In an increasingly polarized world, art and culture can open up spaces for dialogue and encounters, promote social cohesion and contribute to national and international understanding," said the presidents of six German academies in an appeal.

The promotion of culture is not a subsidy that can be measured according to the economic situation. It is a "vital investment" so that every individual can develop. The public sector must guarantee free access to cultural education for all classes, from "daycare to old age". Culture should not be made dependent on sponsorship or on political or national interests.

Culture in Berlin is short of money

This is due to cost-cutting plans at many cultural institutions in Germany. Around 130 million euros will be cut from the Berlin cultural budget alone this year, almost twelve percent of the planned budget. There have been loud protests against this. The Bayreuth Festival in Bavaria is also being forced to make drastic cuts to its 2026 anniversary program due to a lack of funds.

The presidents of the Academy of Arts in Berlin, the German Academy for Language and Poetry in Darmstadt and the Bavarian Academy of Fine Arts joined forces for the appeal. The Saxon Academy of Arts, the Free Academy of Arts in Hamburg and the North Rhine-Westphalian Academy of Sciences, Humanities and the Arts are also taking part.