ArtDependence | Black Cloth covers Berlin Art Academy: Students protest Against Drastic Budget Cuts

Tuesday, February 11, 2025

The students of the Berlin Art Academy (UdK) are protesting against drastic budget cuts by covering the main university facade with black fabric.

"We are showing what a city without art, culture, and science looks like and what a void their absence creates in the heart of our society," says the organisation "Education Needs Budget."

The situation is critical: The UdK is set to lose eight million euros, despite having hardly any financial reserves. "The scale and short timeframe of these major budget cuts for 2025 are plunging the University of the Arts Berlin into a deep crisis," said UdK President Norbert Palz.

The faculties' budgets for teaching are to be reduced by 30%. A UdK spokesperson confirmed that due to these financial constraints, vacant positions in teaching and administration will not be filled. Students fear a significant decline in the quality of education.

Professorships will remain vacant, and teaching previously conducted by professors will be replaced by precariously paid temporary lecturers. Expiring contracts for teaching staff will not be renewed.

Student assistants' working hours will be cut by a quarter. Excursions, exhibition visits, guest lectures, and essential teaching materials may no longer be funded.

"We see neither a political strategy nor a vision from the Berlin Senate on how to secure culture, education, and science as key factors for Berlin’s future," the initiative states.

They are calling on not only UdK students but all members of Berlin’s universities to join the protest. The initiative warns that the quality of teaching and research is under serious threat.

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Anna Melnykova, "Palace of Labor (palats praci), architector I. Pretro, 1916", shot with analog Canon camera, 35 mm Fuji film in March 2022.

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