Federal Association of Freelance Cultural Scientists

The Bundesverband freiberuflicher Kulturwissenschaftler e.V. (BfK) is a German professional association for freelance cultural scientists. It was founded on 26 September 1998 in Bonn and describes itself as a union of qualified professionals from the cultural sector who offer their knowledge and skills on the free market. Its members come from a wide range of disciplines, including history, art history, folklore, archaeology, and cultural studies more generally. According to its own information, the association had around 200 members as of 2018, making it the largest nationwide association of cultural scientists offering services on the free market. The BfK sees its mission as strengthening the self-confidence of self-employed cultural scientists and improving their working conditions. It works to define the professional profile of freelance cultural work and to represent it in the relevant professional public sphere. The association acts as an advocate for freelance cultural scientists and as a point of contact for professional associations and institutions in the cultural sector. It positions itself on current cultural, social, and economic policy issues affecting its members. The association supports the entrepreneurial activities of its members by providing model general terms and conditions, fee recommendations, and assistance with contract drafting. It also offers a search function on its website through which institutions can find service providers who have committed to a codex of minimum standards and principles. Certification of archaeological members is a nationally recognized standard, as is certification of members in museum and exhibition work to avoid the risk of bogus self-employment. A mediator can help find solutions in conflicts between clients and contractors. The BfK publishes a forum called "kulturverrückt" and organizes conferences and training events. It maintains a members-only area, job listings, and a certificate "Selbstständig im Museum" (Self-employed in the Museum). Its office is currently located in Konstanz, while its registered address is in Berlin.

The Bundesverband freiberuflicher Kulturwissenschaftler e.V. (BfK) was founded on 26 September 1998 in Bonn. It emerged as a response to developments in the German cultural sector around the turn of the millennium, which led to outsourcing and privatization of public cultural operations. These changes were inadequately reflected in the situation of freelance cultural scientists, whose working conditions were not sufficiently considered. The association was established to strengthen the self-confidence of self-employed cultural scientists and to improve their working conditions. In 2001, the association established a dedicated archaeology division within its structure. This reflected the significant presence of archaeologists among its membership and the need for specific professional standards in that field. By 2018, the BfK had grown to approximately 200 members, making it the largest nationwide association of cultural scientists offering services on the free market in Germany. Over the years, the association has developed services such as model contracts, fee recommendations, certification for archaeological and museum work, and a mediation service for conflicts between clients and contractors. It publishes a forum called "kulturverrückt" and organizes conferences and training events. The association continues to advocate for the interests of freelance cultural scientists in cultural, social, and economic policy debates.

• 2018

  Approximately 200 members, making it the largest nationwide association of freelance cultural scientists in Germany.

• 2001

  Establishment of the archaeology division within the association.

• 1998

  Founded on 26 September 1998 in Bonn.

Interest representation and professional association for freelance cultural scientists in Germany, advocating for better working conditions and market conditions.

• BfK-Zertifikat "Selbstständig im Museum"

  Certification for members in museum and exhibition work to avoid the risk of bogus self-employment.

• Certification of archaeological members

  Nationally recognized standard for archaeological work.

• Model general terms and conditions

  Templates provided to members for their business activities.

• Fee recommendations

  Guidance on fees for freelance cultural scientists.

• Mediation service

  A mediator can help find solutions in conflicts between clients and contractors.

• Publication "kulturverrückt"

  Forum of the BfK, published periodically.

1. 1Bundesverband freiberuflicher Kulturwissenschaftler - Wir über unsb-f-k.de
2. 2Wikidata entrywikidata.org
3. 3Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org