Bundesregierung Staatsministerin für Kultur und Medien

The Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM) is a supreme federal authority within the Federal Chancellery, which has consolidated the federal cultural and media policy responsibilities since 1998. It ensures legal framework conditions (e.g., copyright law), promotes national cultural institutions and projects (e.g., Deutsche Welle, Humboldt Forum, film funding), and represents Germany in European and international cultural bodies. With an annual budget of approximately 1.7 billion euros (as of 2018), the BKM supports independent artists, cultural institutions, foundations, and projects in areas such as visual and performing arts, literature, music, cultural education, commemorative culture, monument preservation, and media diversity.

We protect the freedom of art and media, promote cultural diversity and democratic cohesion, preserve cultural heritage, and advocate for fair remuneration of artistic achievements. The BKM understands culture and media as the foundation of a vibrant democracy and works to represent Germany culturally at both national and international levels, while providing impetus for an open, forward-looking cultural life.

The funding programs of the BKM are aimed at independent professional creatives in the fields of performing and visual arts, literature, music, and cultural education, as well as national cultural institutions, foundations, and associations, and media professionals and projects supported with federal funds. The goal is to appropriately reward artistic and cultural work and to strengthen cultural diversity throughout Germany.