Cultural policy is controversial – and has been for a long time. Whether it's about understanding art and culture, public funding or social relevance, conflicts in the cultural sector are diverse, complex and often characterised by power imbalances. But what does this mean in concrete terms for cultural policy and funding at a time when the social consensus on the value of art and culture seems to be crumbling? In her discussion paper ‘For a culture of conflict’, Friederike Landau-Donnelly shows why conflicts should be understood not as disruptive factors but as resources for shaping democracy. She offers a practical tool for identifying and constructively negotiating conflicts of values and resources in the cultural sector.