21 January 2021

Akademie der Künste calls for prioritising arts and culture in planning opening strategies
Letter to Minister of State Grütters and Senator for Culture Lederer

In a letter to Minister of State for Culture Monika Grütters and Berlin Senator for Culture Klaus Lederer, the Akademie der Künste calls for prioritising the interests of arts and culture during the next easing of lockdown measures. Cultural institutions with reliable hygiene concepts should be given priority in the development of opening and loosening strategies. The absence of shared aesthetic experiences and opportunities for discourse in the public space harms democratic coexistence in the long run to a degree that is not foreseeable. In particular the exposure of children and young people to culture is of critical importance, according to the letter.

It goes without saying that the Akademie der Künste, especially in light of the increasing number of fatalities and the prevalent virus mutations, continues to support the current regulations that are necessary to combat the pandemic. The intent of this appeal is to emphasize the urgent need for planning regarding the arts and culture when restrictions are loosened in the future.

Jeanine Meerapfel
President of the Akademie der Künste