Milly Burroughs

Quotes

• “While these works became unintended tools of gentrification, their impact also provided advertisers with a playbook for connecting with audiences through pseudo-cultural points of engagement.”

• “It cannot be overstated how severe the impact of this loss of exposure to the arts will be to the future of creative industries in Berlin.”

• “Surfaces throughout the German capital are enlivened by the voices of the people”

Articles & interviews

• Why are so many of Berlin’s community initiatives run by designers

  It's Nice That · Feb 24, 2026

  The article explores why many of Berlin’s emerging community initiatives are led by designers, tracing the shift from corporate creative work to socially driven projects. It highlights how disillusionment with the tech and startup scene has inspired creatives to apply their design skills toward community-building and cultural renewal. Voices from Berlin’s creative scene, including Alex Bernatzky, Graeme Bateman, and Shirley Heim, reflect on how design thinking translates into grassroots impact.

  other
• Berlin's Urban Artists Face Future of Sanitized Creativity

  It's Nice That · Aug 19, 2025

  The article explores the evolution of Berlin’s street art scene from its rebellious origins to its current state of commodification and gentrification. Through insights from cultural figures like Lutz Henke and Michelle Houston, it examines how murals that once symbolized freedom have become tools for branding and urban development. The piece questions whether public art can remain authentic when it becomes intertwined with commercial interests.

  VisitBerlinart|public_art
• Culture Cuts Harm All, Not Just Creatives in Berlin

  It's Nice That · Apr 1, 2025

  The article, written by Berlin correspondent Milly Burroughs, examines the impact of recent €130 million cuts to arts and culture funding in Berlin. It highlights the economic and social consequences for the city’s creative community, featuring perspectives from artists, designers, and cultural leaders who warn of long-term damage to Berlin’s cultural ecosystem. The piece situates the cuts within broader political and societal shifts in Germany.

  other
• Stickers: The voice of Berlin's creatives and activists

  It's Nice That · Oct 31, 2024

  The article explores Berlin’s vibrant sticker culture as a form of creative and political expression. Writer Milly Burroughs examines how stickers serve as tools for activism, identity, and communication among the city’s artists, designers, and collectives. Featuring voices from Stickerapp, Hatch Sticker Museum, and the Palestine Solidarity Archive, it highlights how printed ephemera continues to shape Berlin’s visual and social landscape.

  editorial