K2

Over the past two decades Berlin has become an internationally acclaimed hub of contemporary art. At the same time, increasing rents and real estate prices as well as other structural shifts in the urban landscape – on top of a strained public budget – pose major obstacles to keeping Berlin's contemporary arts scene thriving. Berlin's Permanent Secretary for Cultural Affairs asked us to develop a dialogue format in which all relevant stakeholders could discuss and analyze the most pressing issues and develop innovative policy recommendations. Approximately one hundred leading figures of the Berlin arts scene – artists, curators, independent art projects, institutions, museums, galleries, and collectors – took part. In eight workshop groups the participants identified major challenges and proposed ideas, tools, and requisites for improved cultural policies.