Election Announcement 2022
New Members Wanted for the Rat für die Künste Berlin!
The Rat für die Künste (Council for the Arts) is a unique institution. An elected independent body, the Rat für die Künste has represented Berlin’s culture since 1994. The twenty-four members of the council are both cultural professionals from well-known Berlin cultural institutions and freelance artists.
The Rat für die Künste discusses all pending cultural issues, sees itself as a mediator between policymakers and cultural practice, and provides impetus for future developments in the interests of culture in the city and the people who live here. Every day and on site, the members of the council decide the cultural future of the city of Berlin.
The Rat für die Künste has had a major impact on Berlin. The Capital Cultural Fund and the Projektfonds Kulturelle Bildung were created on its initiative. The City Tax was implemented, diversity development established within institutions and urban practice promoted thanks to its campaigns. The agreements of the red-red-green coalitions in 2016 and 2021 have adopted the council’s election benchmarks.
The Rat für die Künste for 2022-2024 will be elected on April 4, 2022. We seek candidates who want to help shape the culture of Berlin.
Who can run?
The council is made up of representatives of the various bodies responsible for Berlin’s cultural scene: the federal government, the state, the districts and the independent scene. The members of the council do not represent any institution, but speak on their own behalf.
Who can vote?
All Berlin cultural professionals are eligible to vote – anyone and everyone who sees themselves as co-shapers of the Berlin cultural scene. In 2022, the elections will take place online for the first time.
Why should I run?
The Rat für die Künste is an exciting network. It is the point of contact for the cultural administration and has the right of nomination for various bodies such as the jury of the Capital Cultural Fund. The council pools knowledge from different cultural and artistic practices. Membership in the council offers the opportunity for peer-to-peer exchange and exciting learning processes.
How much time is invested in membership in the Rat für die Künste?
The Rat für die Künste meets over bread and wine on the first Monday of the month from 6 to 8 pm – online during the pandemic. Working groups meet on a project-by-project basis. Between meetings, statements or press releases are coordinated via email.
Why should I run now?
We are looking for new voices and viewpoints. The Berlin cultural scene will face new challenges in the coming years. Especially against this background, a voice is needed that builds up the necessary pressure so that cultural policy is more than just cultural administration. We must demand that Berlin’s cultural scene remains viable and continues to be able to create access to alternative ideas of society.
What is the timetable for the next election?
By March 8, 2022, candidates can submit a brief biography, their affiliation (federal, state, district or independent scene) and their thematic focus for work on the Rat für die Künste. Registration form: bit.ly/3qzD0u9
ALso by March 8, 2022, candidates should submit a short video message: minimum 30 seconds, maximum 3 minutes long. The video should address the following question: Why am I running for the Rat für die Künste? Online video tool: rfdk.streamback.de
The results will be announced in an online event on April 4 on the Facebook page of the Council.
The council members work on a voluntary basis.
Discussions have so far been held in German, but the newly elected council may change this policy.