Kunstvereine - Still a German Phenomena? Initiator: Critics' platform, 'Kritischen Rheinland' Host: Bonner Kunstverein Panel: Eva Birkenstock (Kunstverein für die Rheinlande und Westfalen, Düsseldorf), Michelle Cotton (Bonner Kunstverein), Ben Kaufmann (Neuer Aachener Kunstverein), Moritz Wesseler (Kölnischer Kunstverein) Chair: Uta M. Reindl vom „Kritischen Rheinland“ Kritischen Rheinland invites you to a panel discussino between the four Kunstverein directors of the region: Eva Birkenstock (Kunstverein for the Rhineland and Westphalia, Düsseldorf), Michelle Cotton (Bonner Kunstverein), Ben Kaufmann (New Aachen Kunstverein), Moritz Wesseler (Cologne Kunstverein), hosted at Bonner Kunstverein The German phenomena of Kunstvereine (art associations) can be traced back 200 years. Often founded by artists and others active in the cultural scene, they are widely regarded as a central agency for contemporary art, both in cities and rural areas. But what role do they serve in today's globalised art world? Is this distinctive model still relevant in the now highly complex art market? What is the cultural-political importance of Kunstvereine today? Are they still - as originally - at the grass roots?