The four areas of the Künstlersozialkasse
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The Künstlersozialkasse assigns every insured person to one of four areas (Bereiche): Wort (writing), bildende Kunst (visual arts), Musik (music) or darstellende Kunst (performing arts). Under §13 KSVG, an audit may ask about it.
The breakdown, as of 1 January 2026
| Bereich | Active insured members | Average income |
|---|---|---|
| Bildende Kunst (visual arts) | 64,568 | €21,100 |
| Musik (music) | 50,588 | €18,082 |
| Wort (writing) | 36,057 | €25,076 |
| Darstellende Kunst (performing arts) | 32,170 | €22,733 |
In total 183,383 active insured members, with an average annual income of €21,336. The figures come from „KSK in Zahlen“ (KSK in figures).
Why the area belongs in your records
Under §13(1) KSVG the Künstlersozialkasse may ask in which of the areas income from work was earned. The Künstlersozialkasse has already made the assignment — it is in your documents. Noting it down is transcription, not a classification of your own.
What the assignment is not
Whether a particular activity is artistic or publicist within the meaning of §2 KSVG is a question of interpretation. The Künstlersozialkasse makes that decision, together with your adviser where appropriate — no software, and no table on a website either.
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Frequently asked questions
Which areas (Bereiche) does the Künstlersozialkasse have?
Where can I see which area I am assigned to?
What is the average income per area?
May the KSK ask about the area in an audit (§13 KSVG)?
Sources
By the Künstlerfinanzen editorial team. Page last checked: 2026-09-28. The information comes from:
- Künstlersozialkasse: KSK in Zahlen (KSK in figures)
- §13 KSVG (gesetze-im-internet.de)
- Bundesportal: Prüfung der Meldungen von Versicherten (audit of insured members’ reports)
- Künstlersozialkasse: letter „Meldung des tatsächlichen Arbeitseinkommens für Vorjahre“ (report of actual income for prior years), September 2026 (PDF)
This text reproduces the wording of the statute and the information published by the Künstlersozialkasse. It is not legal advice and not tax advice. What applies in your case is answered by the Künstlersozialkasse or an adviser of your choice.