Joint meeting of the working groups
November 13–14, 2025
Darmstadt & Frankfurt am Main

Under the title “Promoting democracy through culture – perspectives on corporate responsibility,” the Cultural Committee of German Business invites you to a joint meeting of the working groups on November 13, 2025, hosted by Merck KGaA in Darmstadt.

The focus will be on how cultural engagement can strengthen democratic processes – within companies and foundations as well as in society. Together with experts from the fields of culture, business, and civil society – including Dr. Christoph Quarch (philosopher), Amelie Deuflhard (Kampnagel), Dr. Anna Herrhausen (PHINEO), Anna Rapp (BASF), and Dr. Susanne Völker (Kulturfonds Frankfurt RheinMain)—we will discuss perspectives and concrete approaches to corporate responsibility.

On November 14, the supporting program will include an exclusive visit to the Kelterborn Collection in Frankfurt am Main.

The complete program can be found here.

 

9th Bonames Conversation
21 November 2025, Frankfurt-Bonames

Entitled “Between Backlash and New Beginnings: Leadership Approaches and Artistic Practice for Social-Ecological Transformation,” the 9th Bonameser Gespräch will address the questions of how organizations can remain capable of action in times of headwinds—and what role art plays in this.

The program includes Pecha Kucha presentations from the worlds of business, science, and culture, an artistic intervention by Evamaria Schaller, a keynote speech by Prof. Dr. Philipp Staab, and a fishbowl discussion.

The complete program can be found here.

Perspectives on Contemporary Art
November 30, 2025, Kunstmuseum Stuttgart

Following last year's successful launch, we are once again joining forces with the Péter Horváth Foundation to invite you to a special artistic afternoon on November 30, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. at the Kunstmuseum Stuttgart.

The event will offer exclusive insights into the artistic practice of the winners of our ars viva Prize for Visual Arts, which has been supported by the Péter Horváth Foundation since 2024. This year, caner teker (ars viva 2024) and Nazanin Noori (ars viva 2026) invite you to immerse yourself in an immersive world of performance, sound, and physical experience.

ars viva 2026 Exhibition I
March 13, 2026, Marta Herford

The ars viva class of 2026 opens its exhibition year at Marta Herford. Artists Ryan Cullen, Nazanin Noori, and Prateek Vijan will present new works developed especially for the exhibition.

The grand opening on March 13 also marks the beginning of the 75th anniversary year of the Cultural Committee of German Business and shows how artistic avant-garde and cultural tradition come together in a lively exchange.

The exhibition will be on view at Marta Herford until May 25, 2026.

 

Final Concert
April 30, 2026, Berlin Concert Hall

On April 30, three outstanding young talents will present their individually designed programs in the magnificent Schinkel building. The finalists will be accompanied by the Konzerthaus Orchestra under the baton of internationally acclaimed conductor Prof. Steven Sloane.

Experience a concert evening full of virtuoso performances, thrilling moments, and musical excitement. The jury's decision on the 2026 prize winner will be announced on the same evening.

Shortlist reading “Young Voices of Literature”
May 7, 2026, Munich Kammerspiele

For the third time, the works on the shortlist for the Literature Prize will be presented on one of Germany's most renowned stages. The combination of literary text and staging by members of the Munich Kammerspiele ensemble opens up surprising perspectives – and allows the works to be experienced in a fascinating new way.

After the readings, the authors themselves will provide personal insights into their work and creative process. The jury will then retire to deliberate – and you will find out that same evening which voice prevailed and will receive the German Business Literature Prize 2026.

Awarding of the German Culture Promotion Prize 2026
June 11, 2026, Hapag-Lloyd AG

With the German Culture Promotion Award ("Deutscher Kulturförderpreis"), we once again honor companies and corporate foundations that are particularly committed to culture, presenting them with one of the most prestigious awards of its kind.

This year, together with our media partners ZDF and Handelsblatt, we invite you to the Hamburg headquarters of Hapag-Lloyd AG. You can look forward to a unique forum with personalities from business, culture, and the media who are jointly committed to corporate cultural promotion.

You can find more information about the Culture Promotion Award here. 

BRONNBACHER & FRIENDS
June 12–13, 2026, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology

Scholarship recipients, alumni, and friends of the Kulturkreis Scholarship come together here with cultural figures and experts from business and science. Look forward to lively panel discussions on current issues of our time, workshops with artists, and plenty of opportunity for personal conversations.

In 2026, we will also be celebrating an anniversary: 10 years of successful cooperation between the Kulturkreis and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). To mark this occasion, Bronnbacher & Friends will take place at KIT for the first time – a place where cutting-edge research, innovation, and science are at home and engage in an inspiring dialogue with art.

Kulturkreis Tour
June–September 2026

The Kulturkreis Tour gives music prize winners the opportunity to perform at the most prestigious festivals in Germany and Switzerland. This allows young talents to gain a wide range of stage experience – from experimental performances to large solo concerts with orchestral accompaniment.

With baritone Jonas Müller, music prize winner in 2025, audiences can look forward to a diverse program centered on the art of song. The performances take place in unique locations – from magnificent university halls in Heidelberg to atmospheric settings in the vineyards of the Rhineland.

You can find more information about the 2026 Kulturkreis Tour here. 

75th Annual Conference: 75 Years of the Cultural Circle
October 2026

The 2026 Annual Conference marks the highlight of our anniversary year: for 75 years, we—and you as members—have been supporting the free development of the arts, thereby strengthening our democracy. To mark this anniversary, we will not only be looking at current issues, but also highlighting the rich heritage of the Kulturkreis.

You can look forward to exciting insights into the current work of our award winners, intensive discussions on the pressing issues of our time, and a program that celebrates the power and diversity of the liberal arts.

10th Bonameser Gespräch
November 6, 2026, Frankfurt-Bonames

In 2026, we will celebrate the tenth edition of the Bonameser Gespräch—and with it, a decade of intensive debates at the intersection of entrepreneurship, culture, and society.

You can look forward to high-profile speakers, inspiring panel guests, and intense discussions about the challenges of our time – and about the role cultural competencies play in responsible corporate management today and in the future.

ars viva 2026 Exhibition II
December 4, 2026, Kunstverein Braunschweig

Experience new works by Ryan Cullen, Nazanin Noori, and Prateek Vijan at one of Germany's oldest and most prestigious centers for contemporary art. Take the opportunity to talk to the artists, gain insights into their thoughts and learn about their artistic approaches.

Bring the Kulturkreis Year 2026 in Braunschweig to a close with an exhibition that facilitates personal exchange with the artists, allowing you to experience contemporary art with particular intensity.

The exhibition will be on display at the Kunstverein Braunschweig from December 5, 2026, to February 21, 2027. 

74th Annual Conference
October 9 to 11, Philharmonie Berlin

In keeping with tradition, we will address the pressing issues of our time—at the intersection of art and business. Renowned artists, thinkers, and decision-makers from the worlds of politics, art, philosophy, and business will come together to promote a culture of debate that is more important than ever.

Together, we will ask ourselves the following questions this year: How do echo chambers shape our perception of freedom, cohesion, and democracy? And what role can the economy play in strengthening artistic freedom?

The focus will be on the innovative work of young talents supported by the Kulturkreis. You can look forward to a varied program of performances, readings, and music – complemented by an exhibition, a festive award ceremony, and an exclusive dinner.

All information about the conference can be found here.

ars viva 2025. Where will we land?
25. - 26. Juni 2025, Haus der Kunst München

Die ars viva-Preisträger:innen 2025 Wisrah C. V. da R. Celestino, 
Vincent Scheers und Helena Uambembe präsentierten ihre Arbeiten
im Haus der Kunst München – darunter zahlreiche Werke, die eigens
für die Ausstellung entstanden sind.

Bereits am Vorabend der offiziellen Eröffnung luden wir die Mitglieder des Kulturkreises und die Freunde Haus der Kunst herzlich zur Preview ein. Ein exklusiver Abend, um Gegenwartskunst hautnah zu erleben - mit Künstler:innengesprächen, moderiert von Dr. Jana Baumann (Kuratorin, Haus der Kunst) und Min-young Jeon (Kulturkreis der deutschen Wirtschaft). Die offizielle Ausstellungseröffnung für das Publikum fand am 26. Juni ab 19 Uhr statt. 

Eindrücke des Abends finden Sie hier. 

Die Ausstellung läuft vom 17.6 bis 21.9.2025, weitere Informationen finden Sie hier.

 

Deutscher Kulturförderpreis 2025

22. Mai 2025, Düsseldorf 

Der Deutsche Kulturförderpreis 2025 geht an drei herausragende Projekte unternehmerischer Kulturförderung: Die GASAG AG, BASF SE und die Ernst von Siemens Kunststiftung wurden am Abend des 22. Mai im Rahmen einer feierlichen Preisverleihung bei der DZ BANK in Düsseldorf ausgezeichnet.

Rund 180 Gäste aus Wirtschaft, Kultur, Politik und Medien folgten der Einladung des Kulturkreises der deutschen Wirtschaft, um unternehmerisches Engagement für Kunst und Kultur zu würdigen. Der Preis macht seit 2006 kulturelle Initiativen aus der Wirtschaft sichtbar – Projekte, die häufig jenseits der öffentlichen Wahrnehmung liegen und doch einen wesentlichen Beitrag zur kulturellen Vielfalt leisten.

Weitere Informationen finden Sie in unserer Pressemitteilung.

Eindrücke des Abends gibt es hier.

Literaturpreis 2025 - Junge Stimmen der Literatur 

16. Mai 2025, München

Der Literaturpreis der deutschen Wirtschaft 2025 ging an Yevgeniy Breyger. Am 16. Mai 2025 präsentierten die drei Nominierten – Yevgeniy Breyger, Elias Hirschl und Hengameh Yaghoobifarah – im Rahmen einer szenischen Lesung in den Münchner Kammerspielen Auszüge aus ihren Werken. Begleitet wurde der Abend von Gesprächen über literarisches Schreiben und gesellschaftliche Fragen, moderiert von der Literaturkritikerin Miriam Zeh.

Nach intensiven Diskussionen entschied die Jury am 17. Mai über die Vergabe des Preises. Die Wahl fiel auf den in Charkiw geborenen Lyriker Yevgeniy Breyger, der mit dem mit 20.000 Euro dotierten Literaturpreis der deutschen Wirtschaft 2025 ausgezeichnet wurde. Der Preis würdigt literarische Stimmen, die mit sprachlicher Kraft und inhaltlicher Tiefe aktuelle Themen verhandeln.

Weitere Informationen finden Sie in unserer Pressemitteilung.

Hier geht es zur Bildergalerie der Lesung in den Kammerspielen.

Finalkonzert Musikpreis 2025
6. April 2025, Heidelberg

Am 6. April fand das Finalkonzert des Musikpreises der deutschen Wirtschaft 2025 im Rahmen des Heidelberger Frühlings statt. Die Finalist:innen Clarissa Bevilacqua (Violine), Jonas Müller (Bariton) und Tabea Wink (Blockflöte) beeindruckten das Publikum mit Werken von Vivaldi, Corelli, Ravel, Chausson, Hosokawa und Eggert. Jonas Müller überzeugte Jury und Publikum gleichermaßen und wurde zum Gewinner des Musikpreises 2025 gekürt. Bereits am Vorabend setzte der Pianist Giorgi Gigashvili, Preisträger des Musikpreises 2024, mit einem faszinierenden Klavierabend ein weiteres musikalisches Highlight.

Hier geht es zur Bildergalerie des Finalkonzerts.

Jahresauftakt 2025
21. März 2025, Hamburg

Den Auftakt des Kulturkreis-Jahres 2025 feierten wir mit einem besonderen Abend im Hamburger Bunker. Nach einer spannenden Paneldiskussion zur kulturellen Rolle des Bunkers folgte eine exklusive Führung durch das beeindruckende Bauwerk. Den Höhepunkt bildete die Uraufführung von break down resonanzraum der Komponistin Zara Ali, präsentiert vom Ensemble Resonanz. Die Komposition spielte mit der Architektur des Raumes und schuf ein einzigartiges Klangerlebnis.

Hier geht es zur Bildergalerie des Abends.