The Council for the Arts is Berlin’s independent cultural political body. It exerts effective pressure on politics and administration because it represents the entire breadth of Berlin’s cultural scene: from independent artists to large institutions, from music, theater and visual arts to new hybrid formats.

To become part of the council you have to stand for election or you might be coopted later on.
You can stand as a candidate or make suggestions for a candidate. You can also suggest yourself.

There are 24 seats in total, but only 19 members will be elected to the Council, aiming to represent a broad spectrum of Berlin’s cultural landscape. Candidates will be categorized as follows:

• Federal funding (min. 1, max. 2 representatives e.g. Haus der Kulturen der Welt, Berliner Festspiele)
• Berlin State funding (min. 1, max. 4 representatives, e.g. Volksbühne, Konzerthaus, Opernstiftung etc. )
• Districts (min. 1, max. 3 representatives, e.g. Kulturämter)
• Institutional funding (min. 1, max. 4 representatives, Künstlerhaus Bethanien, nGbK e.V. etc.)
• Independent projects and independent cultural actors (min. 1, max. 6 representatives, e.g. Einzelkünstler*innen, Projekträume and similar)

Voting takes place within the five categories. Within each category, the candidates with the most votes are elected until the specified number of representatives has been reached. This ensures that all areas of Berlin’s cultural landscape are adequately represented.

These members determine the impact of the Council and its effect on politics.

Diversity in the Council – Diversity in the City

Berlin is diverse – and the Council for the Arts should reflect that! Therefore explicitly applications are encouraged from individuals with experiences of discrimination and marginalization (e.g., persons with disabilities, persons who have experienced racism, and/or queer individuals).
Since this diversity cannot always be fully represented through the election alone, the Council is initially composed of 19 elected members. In the first session, up to 5 additional members are appointed (co-opted) to close gaps in the representation of different cultural sectors and forms, and to ensure a broad range of perspectives within the Council.

If you apply or propose a candidate, then

you will have to fill out the form here. Applications and proposals must include the following information:

1. Name of the proposed person
2. Contact details
3. A short biography (max. 800 characters) with the current activity, internet link and digital photo
4. Assignment to one of the above categories
5. A focus for their work in the Council
6. A short video or audio file (max. 2 minutes) in which the person introduces themselves and explains why they are running for the Council

The short introductions are published online and serve as a decision-making aid for voters.
The next elections will probably take place in Spring 2027.

Workflow

1. The Council meets on the first Monday of each month, unless this day falls on a holiday, in which case it meets on the Monday a week later.
2. Please note that the Council’s main working language is German, please let us know your language proficiency.
3. The Council shall appoint two members as spokespersons. They are elected by a majority of the votes cast in the Council. In addition, a deputy may be elected for each spokesperson.
4. The two spokespersons and deputies represent the committee internally and externally, gather issues and communicate positions – always on an equal footing. Decisions are taken jointly; the spokespersons are not superiors, but first among equals. They act as primus inter pares.
5. One seat – one vote.
6. All council members can propose actions and, with a majority on their side, organise actions, open letters and so on.
7. To ensure that the Council can begin its work promptly, candidates for co-optation should be present at the first meeting.