Marion Ackermann: Change at the top of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation!

Marion Ackermann: Change at the top of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation!

Marion Ackermann is about to take up her new position as President of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation (SPK). From June 2025, she will take over the management of this important institution, which has 2,000 employees and is supported by federal and state funding. Ackermann, who is currently General Director of the Dresden State Art Collections, brings extensive experience in managing art institutions. Among other things, she was the youngest director of a large museum in Germany when she took over the Stuttgart Art Museum in 2003, and from 2009 the director of the North Rhine-Westphalia Art Collection in Düsseldorf.

In view of the challenges that the SPK expects, Ackermann wants to optimize the use of the foundation's collections and institutions and develop a contemporary concept. A central concern is structural underfunding, which she has identified as a major problem. In order to find solutions, she plans to raise private funds and involve the German economy more closely in the cultural scene. “The time of exclusive government funding is over,” she emphasizes.

Strategic projects and future visions

One of the most important projects on Ackermann's agenda is the renovation of the Pergamon Museum, for which over one billion euros has already been budgeted. The reopening is planned for 2037. Another ambitious project is the construction of the Museum of Modernism in Berlin, which is to be implemented with 450 million euros by 2027. Ackermann, who has already had experience with construction delays, emphasizes that creative problem solving is essential in the cultural landscape.

In addition, the museum teams can benefit from Ackermann's increased focus on education and outreach. She emphasizes the need to improve the staffing of the teams to ensure high quality content and concepts. “We also have to ensure that we have sufficient basic funding,” is their challenge.

Political influences and social discourse

In her career to date, Ackermann has also promoted political discourse in the cultural sector. She introduced the “We have to talk” program in Dresden to address social issues. She also expresses concerns about a possible new conservatism in society, particularly in relation to women and their role in the arts.

Claudia Roth, the State Minister for Culture and Media, commented positively on Ackermann's election and described her as an excellent museum manager and internationally networked art expert. Ackermann herself has been a member of the SPK Foundation Advisory Board for several years and is looking forward to bringing her experiences from various federal states and international networks to the foundation.

Before she officially takes office, Ackermann plans to ensure a smooth transition by committing to her new tasks at an early stage. Hermann Parzinger, the current president of the SPK, appreciates her suitability as a successor and emphasizes the successful cooperation in recent years. Rainer Robra, State Minister and Minister for Culture in Saxony-Anhalt, also emphasizes her extensive experience.

In summary, everything indicates that Marion Ackermann will take a courageous and innovative course for the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation. Their well-founded training, their previous successes and their visions for the future seem to prepare them well for the challenges of their new position in order to lead the SPK into a successful and sustainable future.