21 December 2023

Statement by the Senate of the Akademie der Künste

The members of the Senate of the Akademie der Künste feel forced to state: The objection by Akademie member Candice Breitz to the press release of 15 December 2023 “In defence of artistic freedom" by Akademie President Jeanine Meerapfel is inaccurate. The defamatory tone of the objection is inappropriate and not part of the Akademie der Künste's culture of dialogue.

The members of the Senate feel compelled to counter this clearly: The international institution Akademie der Künste with its more than 400 members from all artistic fields unites a diversity of attitudes and convictions. It is the task of the Presidium to do justice to this contradictory diversity. The practice of our Academy and the President's published press release on the threat to artistic freedom fully fulfil this task. The members of the Senate of the Akademie der Künste confirm their full confidence in the work of its President Jeanine Meerapfel.

Kathrin Röggla, Vice-President

Karin Sander, Director of the Visual Arts Section
Arnold Dreyblatt, Deputy Director

Fritz Frenkler, Director of the Architecture Section
HG Merz, Deputy Director

Carola Bauckholt, Director of the Music Section
Iris ter Schiphorst, Deputy Director

Kerstin Hensel, Director of the Literature Section
Cécile Wajsbrot, Deputy Director

Nele Hertling, Director of the Performing Arts Section
Christian Grashof, Deputy Director

Thomas Heise, Director of the Film and Media Art Section
Helke Misselwitz, Deputy Director