New Society for Visual Arts

The New Society for Visual Arts, commonly known by its German abbreviation nGbK and the German name neue Gesellschaft für bildende Kunst, is a German art association based in Berlin. Founded in 1969 after the dissolution of the German Society of Fine Arts, it developed an organizational model centered on collective initiative, member participation, and political engagement rather than on the programming authority of a single curator or director. The association describes itself as one of the largest and most significant organizations of its kind in Germany. nGbK’s principal activity is the development and presentation of contemporary art projects, exhibitions, publications, and related public programs. Its program has a longstanding emphasis on social and political questions, including forms of participation, urban and institutional change, cultural identity, historical memory, and other issues addressed through contemporary artistic practice. The organization operates as an association rather than as a conventional commercial gallery or a corporate art brand. Its work is therefore oriented toward public cultural production, discussion, and experimentation rather than the sale of a stable product range. A defining feature of nGbK is its direct-democratic programming structure. Members, together with non-member participants, can form working groups of at least five people and submit proposals for exhibitions or longer-term projects. Proposals are discussed and voted on at the association’s annual assemblies. Approved projects are generally implemented in the following year, while larger or longer projects may take place over a two-year period. After a project is completed, the working group normally ceases to have active status. This process gives members direct influence over exhibition planning and distinguishes nGbK from many German art institutions where programming is primarily determined by a permanent curatorial staff, artistic director, or board. The association has occupied several Berlin locations. Before establishing itself at Oranienstraße 25 in Kreuzberg, it presented exhibitions at Tempelhofer Ufer 22. Its Kreuzberg exhibition rooms and offices operated there from 1992 until 2022, making the address closely associated with the organization’s public identity for three decades. Since August 2023, nGbK has been located near Alexanderplatz at Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 11/13 in Berlin’s Mitte district. The move placed the association in a different urban setting while preserving its role as a platform for collaborative and socially engaged visual art. Annette Maechtel has led the organization since January 2020. The association’s leadership and governance also include presiding representatives and members of project working groups. In addition to exhibitions, nGbK maintains online archival material relating to past projects and makes selected publications and documentation available digitally. Its present identity combines the traditions of the German art association with a participatory institutional structure and an explicitly socially engaged program.

The New Society for Visual Arts, known in German as neue Gesellschaft für bildende Kunst and abbreviated nGbK, was established in 1969 following the dissolution of the German Society of Fine Arts. Its creation placed the organization within a period when artist-run, socially oriented, and more participatory cultural structures were gaining importance in West Germany. From its foundation, nGbK developed as an association whose identity was tied not only to the presentation of art but also to the way artistic programming was organized and decided. Rather than relying exclusively on a permanent curator or artistic director, nGbK built its program around member participation. Members and non-members can form working groups, generally consisting of at least five people, and submit proposals for exhibitions or other projects. The proposals are considered through the association’s democratic decision-making process, with members voting on them at annual assemblies. Once approved, projects are normally included in the following year’s program; projects requiring a longer development period may be scheduled over two years. Working groups are usually temporary and lose their active status after completing their project. This structure makes exhibition planning a collective institutional activity and has been a central distinction between nGbK and more conventionally managed German art associations. The organization’s program has become associated with political and social engagement. Its exhibitions and projects address contemporary public concerns through artistic research, collaborative practice, and critical discussion. The association’s output includes exhibitions, publications, public events, and documentation. An online archive preserves information about completed projects and makes some publications available, extending the reach of work that was originally presented in Berlin. Before moving to its long-term Kreuzberg location, nGbK operated exhibition activities at Tempelhofer Ufer 22. From 1992 through 2022, its exhibition rooms and office were located at Oranienstraße 25 in Kreuzberg. That address served as an important base for the association’s programming for approximately three decades. In August 2023, nGbK moved to Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 11/13, near Alexanderplatz in the Mitte district. The relocation marked a change in physical setting but not a departure from the association’s participatory and socially engaged model. The organization’s management has included Oliver Baurhenn as interim director in 2015, Lilian Engelmann as managing director from 2015 to 2019, and Annette Maechtel, who became managing director in January 2020. Its presiding structure also includes representatives such as Ingo Arend, Katrin Busch, Çağla İlk, and representatives of project working groups. As an active Berlin art association, nGbK continues to function as a platform for collaborative contemporary art and member-led cultural production.

• 2023

  Move to Mitte

  [1]New Society for Visual Artsen.wikipedia.org

  In August, nGbK opened its new base at Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 11/13 near Alexanderplatz in Berlin’s Mitte district.

• 2022

  End of Oranienstraße period

  [1]New Society for Visual Artsen.wikipedia.org

  nGbK’s exhibition rooms and office concluded their presence at Oranienstraße 25 after three decades in Kreuzberg.

• 2020

  Annette Maechtel becomes managing director

  [1]New Society for Visual Artsen.wikipedia.org

  Annette Maechtel took over management of the association in January.

• 2015

  Interim leadership and management transition

  [1]New Society for Visual Artsen.wikipedia.org

  Oliver Baurhenn served as interim director, followed by Lilian Engelmann’s period as managing director from 2015 to 2019.

• 1992

  Kreuzberg location established

  [1]New Society for Visual Artsen.wikipedia.org

  The association’s exhibition rooms and office began operating at Oranienstraße 25 in Berlin’s Kreuzberg district.

• 1969

  Association founded

  [1]New Society for Visual Artsen.wikipedia.org

  The New Society for Visual Arts was created after the dissolution of the German Society of Fine Arts.

A participatory, politically engaged contemporary art association that gives members and project groups direct influence over exhibition programming.

• Contemporary art programming · 1969

  Exhibitions

  nGbK presents contemporary art exhibitions developed through its member-led proposal and voting system. The program is particularly associated with projects that examine political, social, and cultural questions. Exhibitions may be initiated by members together with outside participants and are generally delivered by temporary working groups.

• Publishing

  Art publications

  The association produces or supports publications connected with its exhibitions and research projects. These publications document artistic processes, provide critical context, and extend the life of projects beyond their physical presentation. Some historical publications and project records are accessible through nGbK’s online archive.

• Cultural events

  Public programs

  Discussions, talks, and related public activities accompany aspects of nGbK’s exhibition work. These activities support the association’s emphasis on debate, participation, and engagement with the social implications of contemporary art.

• 2023

  Relocation from Kreuzberg to MitteStrategy

  Background

  After operating at Oranienstraße 25 in Kreuzberg from 1992 to 2022, nGbK needed a new exhibition and office location.

  Action taken

  The association moved its exhibition rooms and office to Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 11/13 near Alexanderplatz in Berlin’s Mitte district in August 2023.

  Aftermath

  The move established the association in a new central Berlin location while preserving its ongoing exhibition and member-led programming activities.

  Source

1. 1New Society for Visual Artsen.wikipedia.org
2. 2nGbK official websitengbk.de