Joint Statement of Berlin’s Cultural Sector on the Berlin Election 2026
Campaign “#YourVoiceForCulture – Berlin is Culture”
Berlin’s cultural sector is actively engaging in the campaign for the 2026 Berlin election. Through the campaign “#YourVoiceForCulture”, cultural actors, institutions, associations, and initiatives are calling on politicians to once again make culture a central political issue for the city.
Under the guiding principle “Berlin is Culture”, the campaign emphasizes that culture is not a luxury, but a democratic space, a social driving force, and an essential part of Berlin’s identity. At the same time, many cultural institutions and actors are increasingly under pressure due to rising costs, insecure funding structures, the loss of cultural spaces, and precarious working conditions.
So far, cultural actors from more than 480 Berlin institutions and organizations have signed the joint statement.
Together, they address key demands to policymakers:
_at least 3% of the state budget for arts and culture — permanently secured
_reliable funding structures and a cultural funding law
_fair fees and social security
_creation and protection of cultural spaces and institutions, investment funding for cultural buildings and sustainable infrastructure
_strengthening cultural education and broad social participation
_expansion of anti-discrimination measures and accessibility
_culture as a protected space for democracy, diversity, and social dialogue
_protection of artistic freedom and the autonomy of culture
_binding dialogue with the cultural sector and participation in cultural policy decisions
As part of the campaign, the electoral demands and questionnaires of numerous Berlin cultural actors will be collected and published. In addition, the campaign platform will make visible the cultural policy positions of election candidates.
The highlights of the initiative are two citywide action weeks from June 10–16, 2026, and from September 2–8, 2026. Through actions and events, all participants in the campaign will showcase the diversity of Berlin’s cultural scene and call on politicians to make a clear commitment to the future of Berlin culture.
“Culture is not a luxury. It creates solidarity, perspectives, and open spaces for urban society.”
_Constanze Rückert, spokesperson for #BerlinIstKultur
“Those who strengthen culture strengthen democracy, diversity, and Berlin’s future.”
_Philipp Harpain, spokesperson for #BerlinIstKultur
Press contact: info@berlinistkultur.de
Further information, electoral demands, and statements from politicians:
https://www.berlinistkultur.