Kunstverein Hannover

It was established by a group of private individuals to “promote the visual arts by broadening the participation in the same and by encouraging and supporting artists,” as the first bylaws of the new institution stated. This history of local citizens establishing a framework for active participation in the cultural life of Hannover and for a public dialogue about the art of its time is the association’s most significant inheritance and its spirit continues to today.

German art associations have a long history of civic dedication to the promotion of art and have often played a key role in introducing new voices and ideas to their local, regional, and international publics. They are breeding grounds for experimentation and the pushing of boundaries, unencumbered by some of the institutional and political constraints found in larger institutions. As Hannover’s oldest art institution, the Kunstverein has played a decisive role in the development of international contemporary art, firmly embedded in the current movements and concerns of art in each decade of its long existence. Its independent structure and support allows it to be nimble, flexible, bold, and committed to seeking out new audiences and communities.