Berlin is in danger of losing art: studio funding is in danger!

Berlin is in danger of losing art: studio funding is in danger!

Art and culture in Berlin: A dilemma of the independent scene

The Berlin art scene is facing serious upheaval. The challenges have become increasingly visible since the renowned art magazine described the state of the capital as "post-cool". This assessment particularly applies to young artists like 34-year-old Lisa Marie Schmitt, who works in her studio in Berlin-Wedding. Schmitt pays 170 euros for 30 square meters, supported by government subsidies. But that could soon be over: The Berlin Senate is planning cuts that could affect over 1,000 subsidized studio spaces. A decision on this is due in the House of Representatives in December 2025, and Schmitt could lose her studio in February 2026.

What happens when there is a lack of money and space? Schmitt is already thinking about moving to Bucharest, where rents are cheaper. However, this is not an isolated case: the artist Anja Schrey is also affected. She has been living and working in a subsidized studio on Karl-Marx-Strasse for over ten years, but uncertainty about her future hovers over her. “A studio on the open market is priceless,” laments Schrey, while rents in Neukölln average 25 euros per square meter.

The concerns are widespread. According to a recent survey, around 87% of the approximately 10,000 artists in Berlin are looking for affordable studios. Experts warn that the cityscape could be significantly changed by the lack of new, funded studios. Silke Neumann, a specialist in cultural communication, calls for an expansion of areas for art and culture, especially for temporary uses. The development has not gone unnoticed by critics such as Markus Ossevorth, an organizer. He reports on the growing closures of bars and clubs, which are struggling due to high costs and complaints from residents.

A look back at the art scene

The Berlin art scene has an exciting but also tragic history. After reunification, numerous artists discovered the city as a new creative hotspot. But now there is a threat of cuts in the cultural budget and cuts in studio funding, which would permanently change the face of the art scene. The funding for workspace could fall from 45 million to 22 million euros annually. This leads to planning uncertainty for many artists, who now have to fear losing their valued studio space.

Art collector Christian Boros says that despite these challenges, Berlin continues to be a magnet for artists. He also sees opportunities in changes, but also mentions the danger that many artists could migrate to other cities such as Hamburg or Leipzig. To draw attention to the situation, affected artists have already launched a petition that has collected over 3,700 votes. These voices should send a strong signal to politicians.

Artists like Lisa Marie Schmitt expect the development with bated breath. The artistic support that drew her to Berlin could quickly disappear. A good hand for the future of the city's art scene is urgently needed. It remains to be hoped that there will soon be a rethink in cultural policy before Berlin's lively art landscape is overwhelmed by a stagnating reality.

The art magazine followed developments with a critical eye, tagesschau.de reports of the artists' uncertain future, while rbb24.de highlights the most pressing challenges. Also bbk-berlin.de addresses the uncertainty regarding studio funding and the artists' fear of planning uncertainty in a city that was once famous for its creative potential.