Neue Auftraggeber is an innovative initiative that encourages citizens to commission art projects themselves and actively participate in their cultural environment. Through creative collaboration, it promotes community, inclusion, and social participation. Art thus comes alive in everyday life.
The Society of Neue Auftraggeber is an innovative initiative that encourages citizens to actively participate in shaping their cultural and social environment. The core principle is that citizens become commissioners of artworks themselves by commissioning artists to develop projects tailored to their specific needs and concerns. These projects are created in close collaboration between citizens, mediators, and artists and encompass all artistic disciplines, from visual arts to architecture to music and performance[2][3].
The main mission of Neue Auftraggeber is to mobilize the creativity and engagement of society to address social issues and promote coexistence. The focus is on creating an "Art of Democracy" that advances and empowers all participants. The initiative relies on the self-determination and ownership of citizens by ensuring that no external authority dictates their decisions. This fosters a sense of responsibility and co-creation within the community[1][2][3].
Neue Auftraggeber pursues several sustainable goals:
The Society of Neue Auftraggeber is supported by the Federal Cultural Foundation and with the support of the Fondation de France. This funding allows citizens not to have to bring financial resources to initiate a project. The mediators accompany the entire process, including financing, to ensure that the projects can be implemented[2][3].
The idea of Neue Auftraggeber originated in 1992 in France and has since spread across Europe. In Germany, the initiative was co-founded by Alexander Koch in 2007 and is currently in a five-year pilot phase. With over 500 completed projects across Europe, the initiative has already demonstrably positive effects on the local community and the cultural landscape[3][4].
Neue Auftraggeber offers a unique platform to connect art and society and promote the active participation of citizens. Through their work, they contribute to ensuring that art becomes alive not only in museums and galleries but also in everyday life and communities.
