10 December 2024

Akademie der Künste calls for a minutestrike
United Against Cultural Cutbacks: #minutestrike

The Akademie der Künste Berlin is launching the minutestrike #minutestrike as a protest against cultural cutbacks: Every cultural event, performance and exhibition will suddenly be interrupted for one or more minutes. As many cultural institutions and event venues as possible are called upon to join the nationwide symbolic protest against the existentially threatening budget cuts in the cultural sector. This disruption breaks the routine, unsettles and forces reflection. The strike minute (or minutes) can be designed individually – filled with silence, specific demands, or artistic protest actions designed by the institutions and cultural workers themselves.

Moments and recordings of the strike minute can be shared on social media using the hashtags “#minutenstreik” and “#minutestrike” in order to raise awareness of the protest. The Akademie der Künste is providing a social media kit free of charge. Accompanied by corresponding posts on social networks, the Akademie der Künste began the #minutestrike at the “Winter Music” concert on 7 December, and continued it at the Academy Dialogue between Adania Shibli and Eva Menasse on 11 December.

With the minutestrike, the Akademie der Künste now sends a clear message at its events: Art and culture are far more than entertainment – they are essential for our individual and collective identity. They reflect values, norms and worldviews, and challenge power structures. As spaces of resistance and transformation, they are feared by authoritarian forces seeking to dictate identities and enforce submission. Supporting art and culture is not a matter of taste – it is a vital investment in a democratic and open society.

A traditional strike – as is currently under discussion – requires complex organisation and, without financial backing, would disproportionately harm freelance, non-institutionally supported cultural workers. The minutestrike#minutestrike, however, offers an immediately actionable alternative. The Akademie der Künste is counting on this symbolic action growing into nationwide movement. It is high time for policymakers to engage with the cultural sector and develop sustainable solutions to protect and strengthen it.

Further information and download social media kit