Ackermann Advocates for Greater International Engagement in Museums

Marion Ackermann, the outgoing General Director of the State Art Collections of Dresden, emphasizes the necessity for museums in Germany to enhance their international presence. As she prepares to lead the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation this summer, Ackermann calls for museums to operate with more freedom and strength on a global scale.

She asserts that cultural institutions must confront global challenges and forge strong relationships in the cultural sector, even in politically sensitive regions. "Isolating culture is counterproductive," she notes, highlighting that culture has always evolved through interaction, adaptation, and reflection.

Ackermann observes that museums are undergoing significant transformations, which she perceives as a positive development, albeit one fraught with challenges. She stresses that these changes require museums to adapt in response to evolving societal needs, emphasizing the importance of addressing ethical considerations, educational roles, and the incorporation of digital art. "A major leap forward is necessary," she asserts.

According to Ackermann, museums should cultivate a unified philosophy and a strong internal ethical compass, which should be developed collaboratively and continuously debated among staff. She views the creation of such a code of ethics as a democratic process, drawing from her experiences with a network of 15 museums in Dresden.

With the changing cultural landscape, Ackermann acknowledges that while culture has become more democratic, the political environment has grown increasingly complex. Museums must engage with public debates and conflicts transparently. She advocates for loyalty within cultural institutions, which does not imply uniformity of opinion but rather a commitment to fair discourse.

Ackermann also envisions museums as dynamic archives, not merely as spaces for showcasing prominent artworks. She believes that research, particularly artistic research, is crucial, and that museums should facilitate greater accessibility to their collections. By viewing their collections as archives, museums can uncover hidden narratives and bring overlooked stories to light. The recently launched Dresden Archive of Avant-Gardes (ADA) exemplifies this new vision for museums.