19.12.2025 | Press release by bbk berlin: A review of the year 2025 - Significantly reduced, yet still growing

For bbk berlin and its subsidiaries kulturwerk and bildungswerk, 2025 was a year like no other. We take a look back at the achievements, structures, and prospects.

2025 began with the discussion series “Talking Back #MeToo?!” organized by the CSA (Counter Sexism & Abuse) working group of bbk berlin and bildungswerk. The solidarity-based talk show focused on ways to break the silence, strengthen solidarity, and create safe spaces. Another event highlight was the panel discussion “Muted. Where does the visual arts stand with its artistic freedom—between solidarity, censorship, and public pressure?”, which once again brought together actors from the fields of art, theory, journalism, and cultural practice.

There is a great desire and need among visual artists for solidarity, mutual support, and collective strength, as well as for secure production conditions and the expansion of personal professionalism and technical expertise. We are committed to this.

We look back on the year 2025. On the association and its subsidiaries: bildungswerk and kulturwerk.

As part of its ESF-funded seminars, the state-sponsored workshop program of the “Strategic Autumn of Solidarity,” and the fourth Digital Campus in 2025, bildungswerk by bbk berlin was able to hold a total of 161 events, in which 1,360 different visual artists participated. 

The second subsidiary strengthened its visibility to the outside world through its program:

The Office for Art in Public Spaces (KiöR) oversaw more than 20 competitions, organized the dialogue event “Art to the People – What Art Brings to Urban Spaces!” and published the 72nd edition of the trade journal “Kunststadt.Stadtkunst” (Art City.Urban Art). 

The Media Workshop invited guests to a new monthly event series called “Fixtures,” which brought together the local professional community, as well as the internationally oriented multi-day screening “Polygon Picknick” with 34 audiovisual contributions from users of the Media Workshop, and the continuation of “Rumours of Noise.”

The studio office at kulturwerk currently manages around 1,200 studios and studio apartments. With 1,400 applications received for 47 advertised studios in 2025, the rush continues unabated, reflecting the urgency of the search for affordable studios among Berlin's artists. 

Celebrations in the rooms of the printing and sculpture workshop

There was also something to celebrate: together with its subsidiaries, bbk berlin celebrated both the 50th anniversary of the printing workshop in the bbk berlin's kulturwerk and the 75th anniversary of bbk berlin itself. Both events were attended by guests from politics, administration, many stakeholders, association members, and international colleagues and companions. 

Nevertheless, the fact remains that, following the disproportionate cuts in 2025, the cultural budget will once again be severely cut in the 26/27 double budget.

Yes, the political will to keep Berlin future-proof and socially viable was emphasized in the 2026/27 budget decisions. Yes, FABiK will now be retained after all, which has been an important achievement (by bbk berlin) for all visual artists exhibiting in municipal galleries for almost ten years. 

Birgit Cauer, co-spokesperson for bbk berlin: "It is an important signal for the recognition of artistic work that politicians have revised their commitment to oppose the Senate's proposal to abolish the fund. At the same time, FABiK is on shaky ground: the fund for exhibition fees will not be increased, as would be necessary. It will not even be continued at its current level." 

Art needs more, not less financial support, especially considering that it affects many people who already work under precarious conditions.

In addition, the clock is ticking for production conditions:

studio funding will not be further expanded under the workspace program. Leases for studio buildings are expiring, many remain unsecured, and at the end of the year, the first 50 or so spaces will lose their funding. Although these buildings will remain as studio spaces, rents for artists will rise to more than double in some cases. The Prenzlauer Promenade studio building, with around 400 planned spaces, must now also be considered a failure. The much-vaunted social relevance of art can only be ensured through artistic freedom and the preservation of exhibition spaces, remuneration, and workspaces. Although there are promises to maintain the studio stock from 2026 onwards, rent increases, contract changes, and a lack of commitment authorizations are fueling uncertainty.

Frauke Boggasch, co-spokesperson for bbk berlin: "In yesterday's plenary session, a renewed commitment was made to secure the studio inventory and further develop the structures of the workspace program, with particular emphasis on the expertise of the studio representatives. We expect and demand a significant improvement in the unstable and non-transparent financing and administrative processes that, despite everything, are forcing artists out of their studios at the end of the year!"

There is still much to be done—and we can only achieve this together! Let's end the year in a peaceful manner, enjoy time with our loved ones, and start 2026 with fresh energy. Thank you for your solidarity and great cooperation. 

Stay healthy and optimistic!

Frauke Boggasch and Birgit Cauer,
Spokespersons bbk berlin