Symposium: On the Importance of Art for a Resilient Democracy

• Lectures & Discussions

This year, the Kunsthaus Hamburg once again organizes a symposium together with ateliers für die Kunst. In view of the current overall and cultural policy situation in Germany, the focus will be on the question of how artists and institutions can position themselves in a resilient and sustainable way against the backdrop of increasing polarisation, the rise of right-wing forces and in many places increasing economic pressures.

Both national perspectives and the local situation in Hamburg will be considered. Together, with experts and the audience, we not only want to exchange about experiences and discuss the potential of art and its institutions in the face of our crisis-ridden present, but also try to identify concrete strategies to strengthen art and democracy.

After a welcome by Anna Nowak (Managing Director & Artistic Director, Kunsthaus Hamburg) and Sylvia Henze (artist and chair of ateliers für die Kunst e.V., Hamburg), guests from politics, science, art and communication will explore this urgent topic in two introductory keynotes and a subsequent round of discussions:

In a short lecture, Prof. Dr. Julius Heinicke (UNESCO Chair for Cultural Policy, University of Hildesheim) will reflect on the connection between art and democracy. Afterwards, Paulina Fröhlich (Deputy Managing Director and Head of Resilient Democracy. Das Progressive Zentrum e.V., Berlin) will speak about strategies for dealing with anti-democratic influences. Current experiences, potentials and approaches will then be discussed by Julia Brodauf (Studio representative at the kulturwerk of the bbk-berlin), Gabi Dobusch (cultural politician, member of the Hamburg Parliament until March 2025) and Ralf Schlüter (journalist & founder of Kulturbotschaft, Berlin). The event will be rounded off with an in-depth discussion with the audience.

———

Programme:

1 pm: admission

1:30 pm: introduction by Anna Nowak (Director, Kunsthaus Hamburg) and Sylvia Henze (ateliers für die Kunst, Hamburg)

2 pm: keynote speech I – Prof. Dr. Julius Heinicke

2:30 pm: keynote speech II – Paulina Fröhlich

3 pm: coffee break

4 pm: panel and by audience questions