Difficult times for art and culture: the Dresden State Art Collections (SKD) with museums such as the Green Vault and the Old Masters Picture Gallery also have to accept cutbacks in the face of austerity measures. Around 1.8 million visitors came to the collections in 2025, around 460,000 fewer than in the previous year, the SKD announced at the presentation of its annual results. In addition to declining tourist numbers, reduced opening hours and increased ticket prices were also cited as reasons. Around 40 percent of SKD's visitors come from abroad. In addition, the Museum of Decorative Arts was closed.
Art collections had to cut jobs
The SKD also had to accept a reduction in staff. Compared to 2023, 30 jobs were cut - almost ten percent. SKD Director General Bernd Ebert assumes that the consolidation will continue. They will not wait to see what allocations there are from the state, but will take action themselves. Lower grants from the state are already being anticipated in the planning. Exhibitions will be closely scrutinized, focus and set priorities - but under no circumstances will quality be lost. It would be better to reduce the number of projects.
Crisis also seen as an opportunity
"But ultimately, a crisis situation like this, a crisis to be overcome, a transformation process like this, is always an opportunity. A chance to become aware of your own goals once again and to focus and set priorities," said Ebert. This is exactly what was done in his first year in office, and this process is currently being continued.
A number of attractive exhibitions are planned for this year. The SKD already caused a stir in February with its show of works by Paula Modersohn-Becker (1876-1907) and Edvard Munch (1863-1944). The exhibition is "going like hot cakes", Ebert said. The next highlight will be the opening of the permanent exhibition "Masks and Crowns. Festive Culture and the Representation of Power at the Dresden Court" in the restored halls in the north wing of the Residenzschloss.
