The Foundation

The Berlin-based Asyl der Kunst Foundation (Asylum for the Arts Foundation) was founded in 1999 by Elisabeth and Manfred Bartling. The Foundation’s main objective is the promotion of art and culture with an emphasis on the visual arts, and it pursues exclusively charitable purposes. Although there are more than 8000 artists living in Berlin, they are rarely visible in Berlin's museums or galleries as, until now, the art world has mainly focused on international names and networks. This is where the founders Elisabeth and Manfred Bartling decided to create change and began organizing exhibitions. Through the Foundation, many contemporary artists have been given the opportunity to present their works to the public in Haus Kunst Mitte. In addition, the Asyl der Kunst Foundation has built up an extensive art collection over the past twenty years through purchases and receiving the legacies of passed-on artists.  

More information about the history of the foundation can be found here.

Since the passing of the founders Elisabeth and Manfred Bartling, the Foundation has been managed by a board of directors and a foundation council.