There is a long history of civic engagement at the Kunsthalle Mannheim, which it has depended on ever since its founding by director Fritz Wichert. His ground-breaking acquisition of Manet’s “The Execution of Emperor Maximilian of Mexico” in 1910 would have never been possible without the support of the people of Mannheim, for example. Today, the Kunsthalle Mannheim is similarly unthinkable without various kinds of help from individuals and businesses alike. With the help of support from the Friends of the Kunsthalle Mannheim, the museum can continue to work on the content, preservation, and development of its collection. Since its founding in 1977, the purchase of over 110 artworks and 150 objects of the ceramics collection has been made possible, which the Kunsthalle association has made available for loan. The value of the works stands at approximately €2.8 million – without accounting for an increase in value. The new museum complex was opened on June 1, 2018, made possible by a personal donation of €50 million from SAP co-founder Dr Hans-Werner Hector and by support from the city of Mannheim, the state of Baden-Württemburg, as well as many other donors, in an exemplary private-public partnership. The client was the private foundation Kunsthalle Mannheim, which was set up specifically for this purpose. The Kunsthalle Mannheim Foundation, in conjunction with the Benefactors’ Circle (founded in 2017), helps the Kunsthalle to realize special exhibitions and promote research publication projects. The Kunsthalle Mannheim would like to thank all its benefactors for their generous and long-standing support.

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The Kunsthalle Mannheim has enjoyed a long tradition of civic engagement. Without a donation of 90,000 marks from nine citizens of Mannheim, the acquisition of the collection’s most famous painting – Manet’s Execution of Emperor Maximilian of Mexico – would not have been possible. Today, the Kunsthalle depends more than ever on a broad community base and the financial support of private individuals, companies, and foundations. The Friends of the Kunsthalle Mannheim association, founded in 1977, now boasts 1,700 members. Its principal aims are to facilitate the development, modernization, and conservation of the renowned collection. Over the last 40 years, it has acquired around 260 works, including paintings, sculptures, ceramics, graphic works, photography, and new media, whose value amounts to approximately 2.8 million euros. These include prominent gifts to the museum, such as the 150 ceramic pieces from the personal collection of Gisela Freudenberg.

You too can become a member of one of the largest supporters’ societies in the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region! The new Kunsthalle Mannheim needs you and your friends. We thank all of the Friends of the Kunsthalle for their generous and long-standing support.

ARTgenossen is an organization made up of young art enthusiasts and is one of the groups that help to promote the Kunsthalle Mannheim. They have been speaking directly to young people since 2005 with an independent program of activities. Their “Art Breaks” have acquired cult status. In a relaxed, club-like atmosphere, 20 to 35-year-olds are given the chance to participate in presentations, workshops, discussions with artists, and debates. Themes have ranged from street art, to regional artists, to specially selected exhibitions, to the art market. They also offer an exciting behind-the-scenes insight into the Kunsthalle. The ARTgenossen promote exchanges between peers and like-minded people from all sections of society. The managing committee and about 15 active ARTgenossen are responsible for organizing events and Art Breaks.

The Kunsthalle Mannheim kicked off its “Adopt a Painting” project with this appeal in 2009 for private donations to fund urgently needed restoration work on the collection’s most important pieces. The initiative was led by two Mannheim art enthusiasts: Dr. Adelheid Weiss and Dr. Jens Kirsch. The Friends of the Kunsthalle Mannheim also pitched in, and with their support, 36 paintings, 6 sculptures, and 11 graphic works along with about 60 frames were restored at a cost of over 30,000 euros. Thanks to the commitment shown by numerous citizens of Mannheim as well as foundations and businesses, the project became a much-lauded success story. But many artworks and frames have yet to be restored. That’s why we’re still looking for “painting adopters” who can contribute to restoring the renowned Mannheim collection to its full glory. Individuals can adopt a frame with a contribution starting from €250 and a painting from €500 and adoptions by organizations are also very welcome. Donors will receive a donation receipt in recognition of their support.

Since it was founded in 2012, the Kunsthalle Mannheim Foundation, in conjunction with the Benefactors’ Circle, has consistently supported the Kunsthalle. 

The private nonprofit foundation is working towards two goals:

1. In the short-term: realizing the Kunsthalle’s new building in economic autonomy

2. In the long-term: promoting the the Kunsthalle’s educational and creative work in special exhibitions, artist projects, and acquisitions

On September 14, 2017, Dr. Manfred Fuchs initiated the founding of the Benefactors’ Circle, which is committed to providing sustained financial support for the Kunsthalle. So far, 57 individuals, foundations, and businesses have joined the Circle.