Press

The project "Commoning the Museum. City museums for a socially just society" receives funding of €50,000 as part of "The day after tomorrow - new models for cultural institutions".

05.06.2025 The Historical Museum receives future funding from the German Federal Cultural Foundation as part of a joint project with the Dresden City Museum and the offices for social affairs and health of both cities. The aim is to develop ideas on how museums can become a place for everyone and how the common good can be strengthened.

HMF Director Doreen Mölders: "We also want to become a relevant place for those people who are pushed to the urban and social margins due to low wages, educational inequality, high rents and consumer-oriented inner cities. We ask ourselves how museums can contribute to combating social injustice and are prepared to take unusual paths to do so."

Frankfurt's Head of Department for Culture and Science, Ina Hartwig, sees great potential in this idea: "This approach is very convincing, especially as we live in a time in which our democratic values and our pluralistic society are all too often carelessly called into question. We therefore need new, creative approaches to do just that: To bring people who previously had no access to art and culture and perhaps even felt excluded from it, back into the fold and get them talking to each other. This is exactly what the joint concept of the two museums in Frankfurt and Dresden is designed to do. I am therefore delighted that they have now received funding from the German Federal Cultural Foundation and can begin their creative work."

The exhibition "Frankfurt and National Socialism - A city joins in" has been nominated for the Dr. Marschner Exhibition Prize for an outstanding curatorial concept for an exhibition project. The winner of the €25,000 prize will be announced at a ceremony on Thursday, March 30, 2023.

31.01.2023 For the first time, the HMF presented a comprehensive show about the Nazi era in Frankfurt - with three exhibitions from different perspectives starting at the same time. The contemporary history exhibition "Eine Stadt macht mit" (A city joins in) looked at how the city, which was considered liberal and democratic before 1933 and had the highest Jewish population in the Reich, was able to so quickly and radically align itself with the Nazis.

The stories presented in the exhibition illustrated how National Socialism shaped people's everyday lives. Options for action were shown, as well as the consequences of political inaction or blind obedience for the victims. The exhibition dealt with participation, but never lost sight of the resistance.

The nomination confirms that we are on the right track in including the perspective and lifeworld of the visitors. Through encounters at eye level, we were able to convey that dealing with National Socialism - both individually and socially - is never "finished", but will always be of importance and relevance.

The team of the Young Museum, represented by director Susanne Gesser, was awarded the "Skyline" Culture Prize for excellent educational work at the Logenhaus zur Einigkeit on January 15, 2023.

15.01.2023 "Europe's first children's museum (...) impressively demonstrates how cultural participation can succeed at eye level. With its playful and interactive exhibitions, the museum team continues to set new standards for cultural education. The unique combination of child- and youth-friendly offers on historical play areas and themes, workshops and family stations inspires many other museums in Germany and abroad," said the jury, explaining its decision.

Until February 4, 2024, the Young Museum Frankfurt is showing the first exhibition specifically designed for children on the causes and effects of National Socialism:"In demand: Frankfurt and National Socialism". Based on the lives of Frankfurt children and young people, the exhibition provides an insight into mentalities, scope for action and social structures during the Nazi era. The diversity of perspectives and experiences is told through interviews with contemporary witnesses, biographies and objects. Discussions about the continuing effects of the Nazi era and the current situation encourage visitors to examine their own points of view. The exhibition is suitable for people aged ten and over.

"Before the Young Museum in Frankfurt, there was no museum just for children and young people, and it is still something special today. The Young Museum Frankfurt is unique", said Dr. Ina Hartwig, Deputy Chairwoman of the SPD and Head of the Department of Culture. The Frankfurt SPD's "Skyline" cultural prize, which is endowed with 2,500 euros, has been awarded every two years since 2001. In addition to the Young Museum, the employees of the Binding Brewery were also awarded the culture prize this year. More information about this cultural prize can be found here.

The Historisches Museum Frankfurt (HMF) has been named one of the best local history museums in Germany by the "Lebendige Stadt" foundation.

Out of a total of 251 museums, the HMF was honored by the "Lebendige Stadt" foundation on 22.06.2021. The prize was awarded to museums that act in a future-oriented manner by addressing social changes. This includes the use of modern technologies and inclusive educational programs to appeal to a new audience and generate interest in the local history and culture of the town or region.

The HMF stood out due to the variety of offers for visitors that invite them to participate and exchange ideas. The offerings of the Stadtlabor and the Young Museum were particularly praised. The barrier-free media stations, tactile exhibits and "hands-on" stations also impressed the jury. The homepage, which not only provides a good overview of the museum's offerings, but also offers online tours and discussion groups, was particularly praised.
Jan Schneider, City Councillor of the City of Frankfurt am Main and member of the Board of Trustees of the "Lebendige Stadt" Foundation, emphasized: "The Historical Museum impressively demonstrates how participation and inclusion can create a cultural venue for everyone in a highly diverse urban society. Modern concepts inspire visitors and invite them to participate and exchange ideas".

Dr. Ina Hartwig, City Councillor for Culture and Science at Frankfurt am Main City Council, is delighted: "The Historical Museum has been breaking new ground since its reopening in 2017. Its strong visitor orientation is based on the Anglo-Saxon and Scandinavian museum scene. The city of Frankfurt is proud that its new city museum has received this award."

The Historisches Museum Frankfurt has been nominated for the European Museum of the Year Award (EMYA) 2019.

Every year, the European Museum Forum (EMF) honors a museum as European Museum of the Year. The EMYA honors special commitment to citizenship, democracy and human rights, bridging cultural, social and political boundaries as well as sustainability. The EMYA was awarded in Sarajevo on May 25, 2019, and the HMF was there.