Art Commissions:
New 'Independent Research Centre'
25 February 2014: The German government has announced details of its heralded new independent research centre. It will comprise the four existing bodies: the Koordinierungsstelle Magdeburg (with its Lost Art database and Secretariat for the Advisory Commission), the Arbeitsstelle für Provenienzforschung (Bureau for Provenance Research), the Gurlitt Task Force, and the "Entartete Kunst" Centre at the Free University of Berlin. Its stated purpose will be to "support public bodies in the search for Nazi-looted art in their collections", also private collectors who "follow the Washington Principles". It will equally research German cultural property in the former Soviet Occupation Zone (SBZ) and the German Democratic Republic. With the name 'Deutsches Zentrum Kulturgutverluste' (German Centre for Cultural Property), it is to be established as a civil law foundation later this year, based in Magdeburg. Rowing back from previous official statements, Culture Minister Gruetters said: "Although the museums have made considerable efforts in the search for Nazi-looted art since the turn of the millennium.., we are clear that we are not yet at the end of our efforts." To read the announcement, click here.
