The Frankfurter Kunstverein is a major national and international institution for contemporary art in Germany.
Dialogue with the Present
The Frankfurter Kunstverein is an art centre. Its main goal is to present the viewer with coherently researched exhibitions that are embedded in the present. Our work is mainly based in the development and production of new art works and projects. Hence our aim is to encourage a critical discussion around “contemporary art production” and we stress the importance of regularly organizing artist talks, debates and lectures in order to create an access point to art and its reasons.
The Frankfurter Kunstverein has an eminent social dimension: we want to promote curiosity towards the future and to place a new confidence in contemporary art production.
From our ‘Café im Kunstverein’, designed by the artists Gorka Eizagirre, Xabi Salaberría and Jakob Kolding, to the ‘Deutsche Börse Residency Program’, hosting up to two artists or curators in-house, our whole program of activities involves artists at every level. Our commitment is to elucidate the importance of the role of artists in our society: as producers, thinkers, mediators and the ones who still dare to experiment.
Guided tours, lectures, film programmes, symposia, conferences and member trips are some of the means by which Frankfurter Kunstverein helps members and visitors to come to grips with this exciting new terrain and to open up critical dialogue with current exhibitions and contemporary art.
Art as a Cultural Activity
Contemporary art has always had a home at the Frankfurter Kunstverein. Founded in numerous German cities in the early nineteenth century, the aim of the Municipal Art Associations (Kunstvereine) was to support and disseminate new and modern art. One of the newly founded Frankfurter Kunstverein's chief functions in 1829 was to work with the Städelsches Kunstinstitut in Frankfurt am Main in acquiring works for its collection.
The emphasis shifted gradually to independent exhibitions and to the presentation of less-known artists and artistic directions that later came to play a seminal role in the development of art. In the early 20th century the Frankfurter Kunstverein exhibited for example works by Max Beckmann, when he was still unknown. After World War II Frankfurter Kunstverein made its mark with internat-ionally oriented solo exhibitions and themed group exhibitions aimed at highlighting new and exciting developments. This work has continued right up to the present day. Experimentation is important, as well as keeping an eye open for the new and the seminal.
New and Old in the City Centre
The Steinernes Haus, which houses Frankfurter Kunstverein's over 800 m2 gallery space, stands in the heart of the old city between the Römer (City Hall) and the Schirn Kunsthalle.
It is one of the city's few remaining historic buildings. Strategic modification of its architecture has enabled Frankfurter Kunstverein to fit in ideally with its surroundings. Frankfurter Kunstverein is maintained by its over 1,700 members from the Rhine-Main area, other parts of Germany, and abroad. The city of Frankfurt am Main generously provides the premises and limited funding. Project-related funding is also received from individuals, foundations, and companies.
