MUNICH.- In the recent cabinet session, the Council of Ministers of Bavaria approved the renovation of Haus der Kunst. State Minister of Sciences, Research and the Arts Dr Wolfgang Heubisch will now commission the planning order. Dr Heubisch emphasized: "It is imperative that we address this renovation project now. Haus der Kunst is one of the Free State's most important cultural institutions. With its unique overall concept it is highly regarded in the art and cultural scene, not only in Munich, but throughout the world. The comprehensive renovation of the 75-year old building is a prerequisite for Haus der Kunst's ability to continue to stage exhibitions on an international level."

The building will be renovated step by step in order to maintain the exhibition activity continuously. The last major renovation took place between 1991 and 1994 and was concentrated on the east wing. An extensive restoration of the entire building is now imminent, particularly of its technical equipment and facilities.

Haus der Kunst marks two anniversaries this year: the 75th anniversary of its inauguration and the 20th anniversary of the establishment as a non-profit public-private partnership (Stiftung Haus der Kunst München, gemeinnützige Betriebsgesellschaft mbH). "For the last two decades, Haus der Kunst has done an exceptional job of presenting a wide variety of artistic production and creating a distinctive profile for itself. Okwui Enwezor, its new director, will take Haus der Kunst even further on its successful path and the Bavarian government will make every effort to provide him with the best conditions to do this," said State Minister Heubisch. "All of us here at Haus der Kunst are thrilled by this development. The renovation not only upgrades the facilities of Haus der Kunst to an exacting international standard, it will also provide us with fresh opportunities to reaccess the programmatic ecology of the building in relation to contemporary art and a broader interdisciplinary presentation", commented Okwui Enwezor the news.