DAS VERBORGENE MUSEUM

was founded in Berlin in 1986: its declared aim is to publicise the life's work and biographies of women artists who have fallen into obscurity for various reasons.

DAS VERBORGENE MUSEUM is the only existing institution world-wide whose programme focuses on the public presentation and academic appraisal of women artists from past centuries, or of those who are no longer working within the art world.

The initiative to found the association
DAS VERBORGENE MUSEUM resulted from an investigation carried out in Berlin museums (West) from 1984 - 1987, during which artworks by more than 500 women artists - of whom only a small minority are still known - were discovered in archives and collections.

DAS VERBORGENE MUSEUM
presents exhibitions of work by women artists of all genres: painters, photographers, sculptresses and architects - up until now, most of them have belonged to the generation born around the turn of the 20th century. Frequently, our presentations are the first recognition of their work in Germany after the Second World War.

Over the past 30 years,
DAS VERBORGENE MUSEUM has drawn public attention to c. 100 artistic oeuvres in exhibitions and publications, and has laid the foundations for their inclusion in academic discourse and evaluation on the art market by means of specialist publications.

During its existence, the association has developed its national and international connections with museums, archives and universities, with gallery owners, estate administrators and the public into a network. This has led in turn to the discovery of the forgotten, often scattered estates of other women artists.

DAS VERBORGENE MUSEUM is a non-profit making association, which receives financial support from the programme for women artists at the Senate Offices for Science, Research and Culture in Berlin.

Its project work is facilitated by financial aid from foundations, cultural funds, sponsors etc.