The Photography Forum of the StädteRegion Aachen in Monschau. From art and cultural center to forum for international photography

Since 2002, the 150-year-old building in Austraße, on the edge of Monschau's old town, has been a place of art and culture. Initially, the "Kunst- und Kulturzentrum der Städteregion Aachen" was established here as a meeting place and studio for artists from the region, which gradually developed into an exhibition space for artistic photography. In 2020, the "KuK" was renamed the "Fotografie-Forum der Städteregion Aachen" in line with its focus and was able to establish itself as a museum location in the region thanks to the support of the Ministry of Regional Identity, Communities and Local Government, Building and Gender Equality.

In addition to presenting a top-class annual program with four to six exhibitions of internationally renowned greats of photographic art (such as Berenice Abbott, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Anton Corbijn, Bruce Davidson, Lotte and Ruth Jacobi, Jacques-Henri Lartique, Robert Lebeck, Herbert List, Vivian Maier, Lee Miller, Stefan Moses and many more), the photography museum is also home to a wide range of exhibitions.and many more), the Fotografie-Forum has been co-organizing the photography festival since 2021, which takes place every two years in the city region in cooperation with numerous partners. Parallel to the regular exhibitions, an exclusive collection of photographic art has been created - based on significant donations from artists and estate administrators - which has grown steadily through targeted acquisitions.

The promotion of artists is an aspect that continues to be important to the museum: since 2020/21, a scholarship has been awarded for the first time to support the photographic work of an artist. In terms of content, the scholarship is linked to the realization of a project that relates to the region around Monschau. The result is then presented in an exhibition.

As part of the consolidation of the museum's position, more attention is also being paid to the expansion of an educational supporting program. In this context, a "learning studio" will be set up from fall 2022 in cooperation with "Kulturrucksack NRW". This is an educational program on photography specifically for young people and school pupils, which is to be further expanded in the coming years.

In February 2007, the "Germany - Land of Ideas" initiative, under the patronage of Federal President Horst Köhler, presented the house with an award for its innovative concept and lively implementation.

Fotografie-Forum (formerly KuK) der StädteRegion Aachen
Austraße 9
52156 Monschau
Phone/Fax 0 24 72 - 80 31 94
info@kuk-monschau.de
www.kuk-monschau.de