Study the past. Shape the present. Envision the future.
We, the staff of the Klassik Stiftung Weimar, are entrusted with preserving valuable historical objects spanning more than 500 years of European intellectual and cultural history. Our activities centre on Weimar Classicism and classical modernism with the Bauhaus, originating from the achievements of the Duchy of Saxony-Weimar and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. With modern programmes and services, we allow visitors to tangibly experience this complex cultural heritage in our museums, castles, parks and research facilities. We ensure that Weimar’s historical architectural and garden memorials are used and maintained in a professional and environmentally sustainable manner.
We work in Weimar – a town like almost no other where major developments of European and German history have converged. From the Reformation to the Enlightenment, Weimar Classicism, the unprecedented cultural rupture of National Socialism to the present day: Weimar exemplifies the entire spectrum of human agency. We are conscious of our responsibility as keepers of this heritage. As part of our provenance research activities, we critically evaluate the history of our collections and shed light on the origin of our holdings. We develop suitable solutions for rectifying the wrongs of illegitimately acquired cultural assets. We advocate for and advance the study of Weimar’s ambivalent history. Through these actions, we hope to inspire positive impulses for an open and democratic society.
We stand in the service of society at large, dedicated to the task of preserving, studying and expanding our holdings, and underscoring their relevance today. We present our collections in relation to contemporary issues and are committed to portraying them from various points of view. Our goal is to enrich and stimulate public debates and thereby serve as a socially impactful forum for culture, science and education. As staff of the Klassik Stiftung Weimar, we stand for tolerance, equal opportunity and the respect for human rights. We actively renounce every form of discrimination and exclusion.
We view the Klassik Stiftung Weimar as a trendsetter and strategic partner for research and education projects in Thuringia, Germany and abroad. Only through interdisciplinary collaboration can depth and diversity arise, which distinguish us as a modern knowledge-building organisation and ensure our viability in the future. Our collections are open to all and are being made accessible to users worldwide thanks to comprehensive digital transformation. When developing our educational projects, we focus on making them participatory and inclusive. The language, content and scope of our programmes are designed to engage in dialogue with our visitors and strive to reach a diverse audience.
We are bound together by a pronounced responsibility for and dedication to preserving the heritage that has been placed in our care. We recognise each other’s competence and are open to criticism and change. As a learning organisation, we value professional training and continuing education. Our collaboration should be marked both internally and externally by respect, fairness and an appreciative attitude toward one another. We pledge to communicate transparently and to productively learn from our mistakes. In this way, we wish to create opportunities to continue improving ourselves in the dynamic interplay between tradition and innovation.
Projects of the Klassik Stiftung Weimar are funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Free State of Thuringia, represented by the State Chancellery of Thuringia, Department of Culture and the Arts.
