Neuer Berliner Kunstverein


n.b.k. is a site of contemporary art and discourse production. It was founded in 1969 with the goal of presenting contemporary fine art to a broader public, and to invite that public to actively participate in cultural processes.

In 1970, n.b.k. founded one of Germany’s first “arthotheks,” from which art enthusiasts can borrow from over 4,000 works of international art from twentieth and twenty first century. Artothek mobil creats exhibitions for public institutions, schools, and businesses. With the new design of the usage zones, n.b.k. will be presenting the Artothek collection with changing thematic emphases and in various forms of presentation. With the Video-Forum, n.b.k. possesses a collection of over 1,000 international art videos that has constantly been expanding its founding in 1971. Since summer of 2008, the holdings of the Video-Forum have been digitally viewable on site. Presentations and screenings relevant to the collection explore current and historical developments of video art. Both collections of n.b.k.—Artothek and Video-Forum—are open to the general public, and offer space experimental art and cultural education.

The promotion of recent artistic developments and underlining the social importance of current art are important to both n.b.k. and its partners. Together with Verlag der Buchhandlung Walther König, n.b.k. will be publishing the book series n.b.k. Exhibitons, n.b.k. Discourse, and n.b.k. Berlin. n.b.k. Exhibitons will inform about the artists exhibited. n.b.k. Discourse will present current approaches in the theory and practice of art. n.b.k. Berlin will provide insights into Berlin’s cultural life. Students from Universität der Künste design temporary projects together with n.b.k. With this practical element, artists can gain a sense of how institutional spaces operate and collect their first professional experiences. n.b.k. understands itself as a platform for the young art scene in Berlin. The residency program of n.b.k. with its studio apartment in the renovated garden city Atlantic, Berlin-Gesundbrunnen offers fellows the opportunity to explore Berlin and develop projects. In 2009, n.b.k. began participating as a site of contemporary art and discourse production in the eipcp network (europan institute for progressive cultural policies), an organization of European art and cultural institutions.

n.b.k. is financed with funds from Stiftung Detusche Klassenlotterie under Befürwortung des Regierenden Bürgermeisters von Berlin - Senatskanzlei -Kulturelle Anglegenheiten.