ASKI

Arbeitskreis selbständiger Kultur-Institute e.V.

Casa di Goethe is operated by the Arbeitskreis selbständiger Kultur-Institute e.V. – ASKI, a unique nationwide association of museums, research institutes, libraries, archives and other cultural institutions across Germany. Since its foundation in 1967, the ASKI has been committed to promoting public engagement with art and culture and to raising awareness of their importance to society. In this way, it helps to raise the profile of its member institutions among the public and policymakers.

Today, the association brings together 39 independent institutions with a wide range of specialist fields. Literature, music, the visual arts, history, science and remembrance culture are represented alongside specialised collections and research centres. This diversity makes ASKI an important platform for interdisciplinary dialogue and the development of collaborative cultural initiatives.
One of the association’s core objectives is to foster cooperation among its member institutions. Conferences, publications, exhibitions and research projects create connections between organisations whose areas of expertise and working methods complement one another.

The association’s collaborative projects receive particular attention. They demonstrate the value of cooperation between the diverse institutions and show how cultural knowledge can be enriched through new contexts and perspectives. Exhibitions, research initiatives and digital formats open up fresh approaches to historical, cultural and social topics while showcasing the diversity of the member institutions. ASKI regards culture as a dynamic process that brings together research, public engagement and social dialogue.
As the collective voice of its member institutions, the association also represents their interests before the German Parliament and the Federal Government, which supports the work of the ASKI and its member institutions through the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media.

Tsurikrufn! – Remembering together
For this digital collaborative project, the member institutions of ASKI opened their archives and collections to mark the commemorative year “1,700 Years of Jewish Life in Germany”. On the project website, they tell the stories of Jewish men and women who played a significant role in the development and identity of their institutions.
Visitors encounter artists, writers, composers, scholars, collectors and patrons. Their often moving and complex life stories reflect cultural achievements and personal dedication, but also experiences of persecution, loss and new beginnings.

Maecenas Award – Recognition of Private Cultural Support
Private cultural patronage and civic engagement have shaped Germany’s cultural landscape over generations and remain an essential foundation of cultural life today. With the annual Maecenas Award, ASKI honours individuals and initiatives that demonstrate outstanding commitment to the arts and culture.
The award is rooted in the tradition of private patronage that has played a key role in the founding and development of many ASKI member institutions, while also making a statement for the future: culture depends on the commitment of people who recognise its value, support it, promote it, and ensure its continuation for future generations.

kultur leben Magazine
Through the magazine kultur leben, cultural professionals within the ASKI provide first-hand insights into the work of the institutes, their exhibitions and research projects, as well as current cultural policy issues.

As part of this network, Casa di Goethe benefits from an environment characterised by specialist expertise, shared commitment and cultural diversity. At the same time, it contributes to making the international dimensions of German cultural history visible and to fostering cultural dialogue between Germany and Italy. In doing so, it stands firmly in the spirit of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, whose journey to Italy was not only a defining experience of his life, but continues to symbolise openness, curiosity and exchange between the cultures of Europe.