High-ranking museum director in Germany: Marion Ackermann - Germany's prominent museum director, Marion Ackermann, set to take center stage soon.
Marion Ackermann Takes the Helm of Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation
Starting June 1, Marion Ackermann will assume the presidency of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation (SPK) in Berlin, one of Germany's most prominent cultural institutions. Her official inauguration will take place on May 27. A significant figure in the museum world, she will also lead the Museum Island, a renowned attraction and one of the world's top museum districts, which houses the Nefertiti bust and works by Caspar David Friedrich.
Ackermann's impressive career dates back to her tenure as a curator at the Lenbachhaus in Munich, followed by directing the Stuttgart Art Museum (2003-2009) and serving as artistic director of the Art Collection North Rhine-Westphalia in Düsseldorf (2016). Notably, she was the youngest director of a major house in Germany at the age of 38 in 2003.
In Dresden, her time was marked by significant achievements and controversy, including the spectacular theft from the Historic Green Vault and the renaming of objects with discriminatory or racist titles. Nonetheless, she spearheaded notable exhibitions on Jan Vermeer, Caspar David Friedrich, radical artists behind the Iron Curtain, and more. She also organized the only children's biennale besides the original in Singapore and promoted young art from around the world and works of subculture from the late 1970s in West and East Germany.
Ackermann boasts strong international connections and is highly regarded for her leadership skills. She advocates for art and culture to have space, attention, and resources. During her tenure at the Saxon State Art Collections (SKD), she forged partnerships with regional museums, focusing on culture as a diplomatic tool, particularly in Eastern Europe.
The COVID-19 pandemic somewhat slowed her efforts in education and outreach, but the digital landscape expanded unexpectedly due to lockdowns. The Archive of the Avant-Gardes marked a new idea of a museum, stressing permeability, storytelling, and facilitating discoveries.
The theft of historical jewels worth millions in diamonds and brilliants posed a low point during Ackermann's tenure at the SKD. The media scrutiny and public criticism she faced were intense, yet she remains resilient, especially in the face of criticism from the AfD. The stolen artifacts were mostly returned by the culprits in late 2022, although some remain missing.
Hailing from Göttingen, Ackermann approaches her leadership with finesse, inspiring others with her passion for art and advancement of women's empowerment, even in leadership positions. She is expected to concentrate on enhancing the SPK's international competitiveness, acting "stronger and perhaps a bit freer."
Founded by the federal government and all states, the SPK includes the Staatsbibliothek Berlin and the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, with a workforce of approximately 2,000 employees. Ackermann will be introduced as the successor to Hermann Parzinger on May 27.
Marion AckermannBerlin, GermanyPrussian Cultural Heritage FoundationArt collectionCaspar David FriedrichGDRMuseum IslandNefertitiStuttgartDüsseldorfDresdenElbeSpree
- Marion Ackermann, hailing from Göttingen, is known for championing women's empowerment in leadership positions.
- Ackermann's ambitious projects as the president of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation (SPK) commence on June 1.
- Ackermann's focus will be on enhancing the SPK's international competitiveness, with the goal of functioning "stronger and perhaps a bit freer."
- Ackermann's career in the museum world began as a curator at the Lenbachhaus in Munich and has been marked by numerous prestigious appointments, including the Stuttgart Art Museum and the Art Collection North Rhine-Westphalia in Düsseldorf.
- In Dresden, Ackermann spearheaded exhibitions on various artworks and movements, such as Jan Vermeer, Caspar David Friedrich, radical artists behind the Iron Curtain, and more.
- Ackermann has made significant efforts to promote culture as a diplomatic tool, especially in Eastern Europe, during her tenure at the Saxon State Art Collections (SKD).
- The Museum Island, under Ackermann's leadership, houses the Nefertiti bust and works by Caspar David Friedrich and is one of the world's top museum districts.
- Despite controversies like the theft from the Historic Green Vault and the renaming of objects with discriminatory titles, Ackermann has steadfastly advocated for art and culture, championing their space, attention, and resources.
