In a significant move to support Germany’s largest cultural institution, both federal and state governments have agreed to provide increased funding to the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation starting next year. This funding boost, outlined in a new financing agreement, will see the foundation receive almost 135 million euros annually, an increase of 12 million euros over the previous amount. The agreement was signed on Wednesday at the Bode Museum in Berlin by Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), representatives of the Conference of Minister Presidents, and Foundation President Hermann Parzinger.
The new funding model involves a partnership between the states and the federal government, with the federal government contributing three-quarters of the cost and the states covering the remaining quarter. Additionally, the federal government will cover expenses related to essential new construction and renovation projects.
Chancellor Scholz emphasized that this agreement represents a major investment in Germany’s cultural landscape, ensuring the foundation’s ability to better showcase its vast collection of artistic treasures. “This is a powerful investment in Germany as a center of culture,” Scholz stated, also noting that it would provide the foundation’s 2,000 employees with the political backing necessary to move forward successfully.
Saxony’s Prime Minister and chairman of the Conference of Minister-Presidents, Michael Kretschmer (CDU), acknowledged the difficult budgetary circumstances but expressed support for the decision. He described the funding increase as an important signal of cooperation between the federal and state governments, ensuring the continued success of the foundation.
In response to demands for a broader reach, Foundation President Parzinger pledged that the institution would focus on expanding its presence beyond Berlin, with more exhibitions and projects planned for other states. This new federal program, he assured, would strengthen the foundation’s nationwide influence.
The agreement will take effect on January 1, 2026, ensuring that the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation, one of the world’s most important cultural institutions, remains at the forefront of preserving and presenting humanity’s cultural evolution, from its earliest beginnings to the present day. The foundation, which consists of 25 museums, libraries, archives, and research institutes, is jointly financed by the federal government and the 16 German states.
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