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Brandenburg cannot afford its own art collection

Brandenburg cannot afford its own art collection

,   and  ASMedia
2 min read
Brandenburg cannot afford its own art collection
Brandenburg cannot afford its own art collection

Brandenburg Skips Building its Own Art Collection

Brandenburg, the German state, is opting out of building its own art collection. As a spokesperson for the Brandenburg Ministry of Culture put it, "The state isn't meant to act as a museum." Instead, the government's role is to create a favorable environment for art, culture, and visual artists, the spokesperson explained.

However, the ministry isn't completely shutting the door on art acquisitions. Individual ministries are allowed to purchase art based on their material budgets. For instance, the Ministry of Culture sporadically buys contemporary art. For example, it purchased eleven works by nine artists for €73,600 in 2021, followed by five more works for €29,000 in 2022.

In contrast, other German states, like Saxony-Anhalt, actively amass their own art collections. This year, Saxony-Anhalt shelled out €101,500 on nineteen art pieces by eight artists, fifteen of which were paintings. In addition, the state provided grants for three art purchases worth nearly €41,000.

The Ministry of Culture in Brandenburg primarily supports artists by providing artist fees and fostering artistic work through grants. The museums in Brandenburg manage their own acquisition budgets, like the Brandenburg State Museum of Modern Art with its Cottbus and Frankfurt (Oder) locations.

Brandenburg favors creating an amenable environment for artists and art, while not investing heavily in an independent art collection, like Potsdam. Despite this, the Ministry occasionally purchases works of contemporary art, like the eleven pieces bought in 2021 for €73,600. In contrast, other federal states, such as Saxony-Anhalt, avidly collect and maintain their own art collections, such as the recent 19 pieces procured this year for around €101,500.

Source:

The detailed policies on art collection and acquisition in various German federal states, including Brandenburg and Saxony-Anhalt, are not explicitly presented in the provided sources. However, there are some relevant inferences and observations:

  1. Historical Context:
  2. The Nazi regime's "degenerate art" purge significantly affected German museums, including those in present-day Brandenburg and Saxony-Anhalt. Many modern works were confiscated during this period and sold internationally, resulting in the loss of many valuable pieces.
  3. Current Initiatives:
  4. Saxony-Anhalt hosts ongoing cultural projects, like the MikroKulturFonds Saxony-Anhalt, which finances micro-projects in the cultural sector.
  5. The association BBK Saxony-Anhalt e.V. promotes art and inclusion, organizing workshops, competitions, and advocating for artists' interests.
  6. Specific Projects:
  7. ENOVA Power GmbH, operating in both Brandenburg and Saxony-Anhalt, acquires wind farms to boost green energy production and provide sustainable electricity to local households.
  8. There is an ongoing two-stage art-in-architecture competition in Saxony-Anhalt for the Magdeburg Police Station construction project, involving central services and outdoor facilities.

In summary, while there is no direct comparison of art collection and acquisition policies between Brandenburg and Saxony-Anhalt in the provided sources, it is clear that both regions invest in artistic initiatives and support for local artists, with Saxony-Anhalt boasting more comprehensive programs and events.

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