Tough battle to survive for Berlin's artists

Artists from all over the world have settled in Berlin, a city renowned for its liberal, free-wheeling lifestyle and its modestly priced apartments and studios.

More than 20,000 are hooked into the creative arts scene. But while Berlin scores high marks as a place where life can be lived to the full, it remains a city short of cash and jobs.

"Poor but sexy," Berlin's Social Democrat mayor Klaus Wowerweit characterised it three years ago.