France's Académie des beaux-arts protests against severe budget cuts in the culture sector, which threaten museums, theatres, and festivals. The cuts amount to €150 million from the Ministry of Culture and €2.2 billion from local councils, leading to potential job losses and program freezes. The academy warns of the long-term economic benefits of cultural investment and the risks to democracy. Protests, including the movement 'Debout pour la culture', have gained support from notable figures in the arts.