Prominent Museum Boss in Germany: Marion Ackermann - Germany's preeminent museum director, Marion Ackermann, is about to assume a significant role.
Marion Ackermann set to lead Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation as Germany's most influential museum chief
Starting on June 1st, Marion Ackermann will assume the presidency of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation (SPK), becoming the top leader of Germany's most powerful cultural institution and the overseer of Berlin's Museum Island. Her inauguration will take place on May 27th.
Upon taking charge of the SPK, Ackermann will also head the Museum Island, one of Berlin's primary attractions and a world-renowned museum district that houses notable pieces like the Nefertiti bust and Caspar David Friedrich's works.
Renowned for her extensive experience in museum management and curating, Ackermann made headlines in 2003 when she became the youngest director of a major German institution at the age of 38. Born in Göttingen in 1965, she was a curator at the Munich Lenbachhaus before serving as director of the Stuttgart Art Museum from 2003 to 2009. She also held the position of artistic director of the Art Collection North Rhine-Westphalia in Düsseldorf from 2009 to 2016.
Her tenure in Dresden was marked by successes and challenges alike. Highlights of her time there included major exhibitions on Jan Vermeer and Caspar David Friedrich, the establishment of the children's biennale outside of Singapore, and shows on artists from behind the Iron Curtain. Ackermann's engagement in the art world extends beyond museums, as she fosters relationships with artists, collectors, and cultural institutions worldwide.
During her time in Dresden, the city saw both triumph and turmoil - from bursting onto the international art scene to a controversial jewel heist that tarnished her reputation for a time. She handled the criticism from various quarters, including the right-wing AfD, with unwavering determination and grace. The notorious theft of historical jewels worth millions in diamonds and gemstones was a low point in her journey, but by the end of 2022, most of the stolen pieces were returned during the trial.
Ackermann's commitment to art and culture extends beyond preservation and display. In her quest to ensure that these institutions thrive, she forged partnerships with regional museums and focused on cultural diplomacy, particularly in Eastern Europe. Her tenure was also marked by an emphasis on digitalization and online presence in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ackermann's vision for the SPK involves making the organization internationally competitive and building a strong presence in the cultural sector globally. In recently discussing the transformation of the SPK, she emphasized the need for stronger, freer engagement in the cultural world and establishing closer ties with problematic systems.
The SPK, supported by the federal government and all states, comprises around 2,000 employees and includes the Staatsbibliothek Berlin and the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin. Her appointment as the successor to Hermann Parzinger is seen as a significant milestone in German cultural leadership and a fitting tribute to the 200th anniversary of Museum Island this year.
Berlin has gained a museum director in Ackermann who combines her strong vision with a diplomatic approach, focusing on building connections and fostering inclusivity. Ackermann's mission is to elevate the SPK's international standing and ensure the continued relevance and accessibility of its collections for both local and global visitors.
- Marion Ackermann's leadership at the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation (SPK) could potentially redefine community policies to include vocational training programs for art and museum studies, as her vision encompasses fostering closer ties with problematic systems and ensuring stronger, freer engagement in the cultural world.
- By heading the Museum Island, one of Berlin's primary attractions, and the SPK, a role that requires substantial financial support, Ackermann will work towards creating sustainable business models for these cultural institutions to ensure their longevity, further enriching the city's vibrant cultural landscape.
