Call for the election of the Berlin Council for the Arts 2025
Dear artists, colleagues and friends!
Culture is in danger! Berlin needs a strong Council for the Arts! The Council needs you!
Budget cuts threaten the diversity, freedom and the existence of many artists and institutions in Berlin. Right now, we need a strong, powerful voice that stands up for the interests of the arts and culture scene – Berlin needs a strong Council for the Arts with a broad, supportive membership.
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.
Stand – Vote – Strengthen culture!
Become part of the council and stand for election! Or propose candidates.
Therefore: run, vote, get involved! Every vote counts to fight together for a fair, diverse and sustainable cultural policy.
Do you want to vote? The Berlin Council for the Arts is elected every two years. The election takes place online. The voting tool is open from April 25, 2025, 10.00 am to April 28, 2025, 7.00 pm. You will receive the link to the election as an autoreply in an email to rfdk.berlin@gmail.com during the above period.
Public event on April 28, 2025 at Radialsystem
The election will be accompanied by a public event on April 28, 2025 at Radialsystem V, Holzmarktstr. 33, 12043 Berlin. Admission from 17.30h. You will find details about the event soon on our social media channels (and on our website). The election results will be announced that evening.
Would you like to stand as a candidate or make suggestions for a candidate?
Until April 7, 2025, you have the opportunity to propose candidates – be it yourself or other committed personalities from Berlin’s cultural landscape. Please remember: the list of nominations closes on April 7, 2025, so act quickly if you would like to propose a suitable candidate!
There will be 19 seats on the council, which should represent a broad spectrum of Berlin’s cultural landscape. The candidates will be categorized as follows:
- Federal funding (min. 1, max. 2 representatives)
- State funding (min. 1, max. 4 representatives)
- Districts (min. 1, max. 3 representatives)
- Institutional funding (min. 1, max. 4 representatives)
- Independent projects and independent cultural actors (min. 1, max. 6 representatives)
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. We therefore ask you to submit qualified proposals to ensure that the Council is made up of committed individuals who actively represent Berlin’s cultural interests and reflect the city’s diversity.
Diversity in the Council – Diversity in the City
Berlin is diverse – and this should also be reflected in the Council for the Arts! We therefore expressly welcome applications from people who have experienced discrimination and marginalization (e.g. people with disabilities, people who have experienced racism and/or queer people).
How to apply or propose a candidate
Please fill out the form here. Applications and proposals must include the following information:
- Name of the proposed person
- Contact details
- A short biography (max. 800 characters) with the current activity, internet link and digital photo
- Assignment to one of the above categories
- A focus for their work in the Council
- 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.
Please note that the Council’s main working language is German, please let us know your language proficiency.
Please send your proposals by April 7, 2025 to Rat für die Künste
Take part now – for a strong arts and culture scene in Berlin!
We look forward to receiving numerous proposals and will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Help us to spread the word about this appeal!
With best regards,
Oliver Baurhenn, Sabine Kroner, Daniel Neugebauer, Franziska Werner
Spokespersons of the Council for the Arts