Berlin, March 20, 2026 – The International Advisory Board of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation (SPK) convened for its inaugural meeting in Berlin on March 18. The primary objective of this gathering was to establish fundamental principles of cooperation and define key thematic areas for future collaboration. SPK President Marion Ackermann welcomed the distinguished members to the German capital.
New Strategic Direction for SPK
The International Advisory Board is tasked with advising and supporting the SPK leadership on critical societal and cultural-political issues. Its international and professionally diverse composition reflects the new strategic alignment of the SPK network. For the first time, the board includes voices on socio-political key topics such as Nazi history and relations with Central and Eastern Europe, alongside representatives from various cultural and scientific disciplines.
Distinguished Experts Join the Board
The expert members of the SPK Advisory Board include:
- Laurence des Cars, former President of the Musée du Louvre and internationally renowned museum expert.
- Didier Houénoudé, Art Historian at the Université d’Abomey-Calavi (UAC), Benin, and UNESCO Chair holder for “Returns and Restitutions of African Cultural Heritage.”
- Richard Kurin, Distinguished Scholar and Ambassador at Large at the Smithsonian Institution, with extensive experience in cultural heritage and international cultural policy.
- Glenn D. Lowry, former Director of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), an expert in contemporary art with particular expertise in fundraising.
- Engelbert Lütke Daldrup, former State Secretary of the German Federal Government and the State of Berlin, bringing valuable expertise in large-scale projects.
- Dirk Messner, President of the German Environment Agency and an expert in sustainability and science management.
- Christoph Möllers, Legal Scholar and future Rector of the Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin.
- Richard Ovenden, Head of Gardens, Libraries and Museums (GLAM) at the University of Oxford.
- Barbara Plankensteiner, Director of the Museum am Rothenbaum – Cultures and Arts of the World (MARKK) and an expert on colonial contexts and decolonization practices.
- Sandra Richter, Director of the German Literature Archive Marbach and an expert in literature and libraries.
- Magdalena Saryusz-Wolska, Director of the German Historical Institute Warsaw, with extensive expertise in the history of Eastern and Central Europe.
- Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas, Artist, environmental activist, and spokesperson for the Global Cultural Assembly at the Humboldt Forum.
- Mirjam Zadoff, Director of the NS-Documentation Centre Munich and a highly experienced expert in remembrance work.
The meeting in Berlin laid a crucial foundation for the content-related and strategic reorientation of the SPK, fostering dialogue with society, experts, and the culturally interested public. The discussions were centered around the core concepts of Resilience, Relevance, and Reliability.
Behind the Scenes at SPK Locations
The advisory board meeting also included a diverse program at various SPK locations. This provided members with a behind-the-scenes look at the construction site of the Pergamon Museum and a preview of the Brancusi exhibition at the Neue Nationalgalerie. This combination of discussions on major challenges and direct experience of the SPK’s international appeal reinforced the significance of the board’s role.
Further information regarding the SPK Advisory Board can be found on their official website.
