The focus of this volume is the current social responsibility of museums and the political expectations of them. As public cultural institutions, museums are part of the political system; at the same time, the freedom of art is enshrined in the German constitution. How do museums and politics deal with this contradiction? A political contribution and one from political practice introduce the topic. The following art-historical case analyzes are related to this and make the museum tangible as a political institution. Contributions from a black perspective not only highlight counter-discourses to the white-dominated discussion, but also bring up the "unease in the museum". Consequently, this volume discusses the importance of classic museum tasks today, the role of the authenticity of objects in the face of new media in museums and increasing Internet exhibitions, as well as claims for the return of looted art that entered German museums through colonialism and National Socialism.
Dr. Anna Greve ist Museumsreferentin beim Senator fÃ"r Kultur in Bremen.
Prof. Dr. Norbert Schneider war bis zu seiner Emeritierung Leiter des Instituts fÃ"r Kunstgeschichte der Universität Karlsruhe (jetzt: Karlsruher Institut fÃ"r Technologie, KIT).
Prof. Dr. Martin Papenbrock lehrt Kunstgeschichte am Karlsruher Institut fÃ"r Technologie, KIT (ehemals: Institut fÃ"r Kunstgeschichte der Universität Karlsruhe).