Kunststiftung Baden-Württemberg

Institution

The Kunststiftung Baden-Württemberg (Arts Foundation Baden-Württemberg) promotes the state’s young contemporary art scene. Its purpose is to offer emerging talents, whose permanent residence or focus of work is in Baden-Württemberg, or who have spent a significant part of their life in Baden-Württemberg - which has been decisive for their artistic work -, financial independence and flexibility for a limited period of time so that they can further develop their work. The Kunststiftung allocates grants and prizes in order to support young talents from the fields of visual and performing arts, literature, music, art criticism and cultural management. It also produces publications and organises events in order to bring its grantees to the attention of a wider public audience.

In addition, the Kunstbuero (Arts Office) of the Kunststiftung Baden-Württemberg, founded in 2009, offers visual artists an extensive advisory and continuing education programme.

Since its founding in 1977, the Kunststiftung Baden-Württemberg has provided support to over 900 artists and cultural professionals working in various fields. As an independent and non-profit organisation, it has become one of the most important institutions for promoting the state’s experimental cultural scene and was honoured for its work in 2003 with the State Foundation’s Cultural Promotion Prize.

Founding ceremony of the Baden-Württemberg Arts Foundation (1977). From left to right: Prof. Möller, Ms. Elsner, Prof. Ganzenmüller, Wolf Donndorf, Lothar Späth, Dr. Gebhardt, Robert Antretter, Dr. Wetter, Mr. Elsner


Founding

The Kunststiftung Baden-Württemberg celebrated its thirty-fifth year of existence in 2012. It was founded in 1977 through a cross-party initiative supported by state delegates commited to art andwho stemmed  from very political party represented in the State Parliament in Stuttgart at the time. The purpose in establishing the Foundation was and is to create an organisation that helps young artists take their first steps into the free market by providing financial support and generating greater public exposure. Exceptional in this regard is the joint effort made by all all parties of the State Parliament to establish the Foundation and the continuation of this strong commitment through today. Accordingly, the various organisational bodies of the Kunststiftung Baden-Württemberg are made up of notable figures from politics and the community in addition to individuals representing cultural institutions and artists. 

Sponsors