Prominent Museum Head in Germany: Marion Ackermann - Germany's prominent museum director, Marion Ackermann, set to depart soon.
Marion Ackermann, a prominent figure in Germany's cultural sphere, is set to assume leadership of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation (SPK) in Berlin. A renowned museum director and curator, she will replace Hermann Parzinger as of June 1, following eight years as head of the Saxon State Art Collections (SKD).
Ackermann will also preside over Berlin's Museum Island, one of the city's main attractions and a renowned museum district globally, featuring attractions such as the Nefertiti bust and works by Caspar David Friedrich. This promising career move marks a significant step for Ackermann, who, at 38, became Germany's youngest museum head in 2003.
Born in Göttingen in 1965, Ackermann began her career as a curator at Munich's Municipal Gallery (Lenbachhaus). She later served as director of the Kunstmuseum Stuttgart (2003-2009) and artistic director of the Art Collection North Rhine-Westphalia in Düsseldorf (2009-2016).
Ackermann's tenure in Dresden was marked by substantial achievements, such as major exhibitions on Jan Vermeer and Caspar David Friedrich, the establishment of the only children's biennale besides the original in Singapore, and shows on radical Eastern art. She also showcased young art from around the world and subculture art from both West and East Germany during the 1970s.
Ackermann enjoys valuable connections with artists, collectors, and cultural institutions worldwide and boasts a reputation that extends beyond the museum community. Fascinated by art's intersection with craft, she invited visitors to explore storage areas, initiated houses for encounters and political discourse, and became embroiled in heated discussions over GDR art in museums in 2018.
Dedicated to providing ample space, attention, and resources for art and culture, Ackermann fostered partnerships with regional museums and emphasized cultural diplomacy, especially towards Eastern Europe. Despite the setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, her passion for education and mediation led to accelerated digitalization and online presence.
However, Ackermann faced a critical period in 2022 when significant historical diamonds and gemstones were stolen. The incident exposed security flaws and left Ackermann at the center of public scrutiny. Fortunately, the perpetrators returned most of the stolen jewelry before their trial, though some items are still missing. The SKD responded by overhauling its security system, significantly increasing investment in this area.
As sheprepares to take on her new role, Ackermann aims to reform the SPK, making it an internationally competitive cultural institution. She sees opportunities to strengthen and liberalize Germany's museum presence on the global stage. With her passion, determination, and strong relationships, Ackermann is poised to make a lasting impact on Germany's cultural landscape.
In her new role as leader of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation (SPK), Marion Ackermann intends to apply the extensive experience she gained from her previous positions, such as vocational training in museum management and curation, to reform the foundation and position it as a globally competitive cultural institution. While navigating the challenges that come with leading Berlin's Museum Island and managing its valuable art collections, she will also focus on using her finances and networks to facilitate cultural diplomacy, particularly with Eastern Europe.
