Digital Editions
Newsletters
Subscribe
Digital Editions
Newsletters
Art market
Museums & heritage
Exhibitions
Books
Podcasts
Columns
Technology
Adventures with Van Gogh
Art market
Museums & heritage
Exhibitions
Books
Podcasts
Columns
Technology
Adventures with Van Gogh
June 1996
archive

German art heavyweights including Hans Haacke and Rosemarie Trockel sign document rejecting corporate sponsorship

If the State relinquishes its responsibility for funding culture, art will be restricted by private patronage, the letter argues

The Art Newspaper
1 June 1996
Share
Hans Haacke

Hans Haacke

Three hundred leading figures in the German art world have signed a document drawn up by Klaus Staeck, head of culture in the Social Democratic party, and the New York-based artist Hans Haacke. It states that sponsorship is dangerous because it gives the State the excuse to pull out of financing culture.

The signatories, who include artists such as the East German Walther Mattheuer, Georg Penck and Rosemarie Trockel, and arts administrators such as Werner Hofmann, former Kulturdezernent of Frankfurt, claim that culture contributes 2.5% to Germany’s gross domestic product, without even taking account of income from tourism, and that investment by the State in culture “is an investment in the future, frees spiritual forces and creates a society that is not alienated from the world”.

The protesters see State finance as a guarantor of artistic independence: “The example of America shows that cultural institutions pushed by authorities into the arms of the private sponsor exercise self-censorship and work in opposition to their declared mission. In any case, for various reasons, sponsors in the US are stepping back from culture in favour of areas that yield more in PR terms, so a cultural policy like America’s, based entirely on sponsorship, risks being left empty-handed”.

Every mark from the private sector is welcome, say the protesters, but every private mark that replaces a public mark carries with it the risk that private citizens and companies may put pressure on public institutions.

• Originally appeared in The Art Newspaper with the headline "Germans reject sponsorship"

June 1996EconomicsFundingGermanySponsorshipArts fundingFunding matters
Share
Subscribe to The Art Newspaper’s digital newsletter for your daily digest of essential news, views and analysis from the international art world delivered directly to your inbox.
Newsletter sign-up
Information
About
Contact
Cookie policy
Data protection
Privacy policy
Frequently Asked Questions
Subscription T&Cs
Terms and conditions
Advertise
Sister Papers
Sponsorship policy
Follow us
Instagram
Bluesky
LinkedIn
Facebook
TikTok
YouTube
© The Art Newspaper

Related content

January 1994archive
1 January 1994

French Culture Minister proposes amendment to art sponsorship policy in attempt to attract investors

France looks to Britain for models to increase private funding for the arts

Nicholas Powell
Coronavirusnews
12 March 2020

Germany promises financial support to help arts institutions hit by coronavirus

Grütters sees "massive burden" for arts sector as theatres and concert halls close, ticket sales dwindle

Catherine Hickley