About us
Künstlerförderung Frankfurt am Main
Künstlerförderung Frankfurt am Main is a non-profit organization founded by Manuel Raven in 2017. Our mission is to support local artists and strengthen the art and cultural scene in Frankfurt.
Our Mission
We aim to promote and preserve the artistic diversity in Frankfurt. By developing and operating funding instruments, mediation, and consulting services, we create opportunities for artists to showcase their work to a broad audience and continue their development.
Our Team
Our team consists of dedicated professionals deeply rooted in the art scene. With their expertise and passion, they advocate for the interests of artists and contribute to the strengthening of the art landscape in Frankfurt.
Leadership
Manuel Raven
Manuel Raven, born in 1979 in Frankfurt, Germany, is an experienced art consultant with a deep commitment to the local art and cultural scene. His academic career began with a study of Visual Communication at the Hochschule für Gestaltung in Offenbach under Heiner Blum and continued with a study of Fine Arts at the Städelschule in Frankfurt under Tobias Rehberger from 2010 to 2014.
Raven began his professional career as a DJ in Frankfurt's underground scene, particularly at the renowned Club Lola Montez. He later became a resident DJ at the Robert Johnson Club in Offenbach. In 2006, he co-founded the DJ community Itsoktohateyourjob with Tobias Friedberg, Zachary Kraemer, and Oliver Bauer, significantly supporting the electronic music scene in Frankfurt. Additionally, he founded the agency Cybotron Booking, which promotes local DJs and artists.
From 2006 to 2009, Raven was involved in strategy, concept development, and purchasing at the Azita Store and www.azitastore.com, a concept store in Frankfurt. Working alongside Teimaz Shahverdi, he collaborated with brands such as Acne, A.P.C., Bernhard Willhelm, BLESS, COMME des GARÇONS, Henrik Vibskov, Nike, Opening Ceremony, Raf Simons, and Wood Wood.
In 2017, Raven founded the Künstlerförderung Frankfurt, a non-profit organization to support local artists and promote art and culture in the region. As managing director, he plays a crucial role in providing resources and opportunities for artists. Furthermore, he is involved in the Städtische Kunstsammlung Frankfurt, where he curates the inner-city loan traffic, manages the artist directory, and oversees the estate matters to ensure the preservation and public exhibition of artworks in the city.
Since 2024, he has been leading the Kunst Nachlass Stiftung, dedicated to securing and managing art estates.
Raven's extensive professional experience includes:
- 2024 – present: Kunst Nachlass Stiftung, Frankfurt am Main
- Founding and leading a foundation to secure and manage art estates.
- 2017 – present: Künstlerförderung Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main
- Founding and managing a non-profit organization to support local artists and promote art and culture in the region.
- Curating inner-city loan traffic, managing the artist directory, and overseeing estate matters in the Städtische Kunstsammlung Frankfurt.
- 2014 – 2016: Kulturamt Stadt Frankfurt am Main, Department of Fine Arts, Public Art
- Re-organizing the Städtische Kunstsammlung under the direction of Dr. Jessica Beebone.
- Project management for various cultural projects as a freelance art commissioner.
- 2014: Universalmuseum Joanneum, Austrian Sculpture Park, Graz, Austria
- Artist in Residence 2014, “In Then Out” with Tobias Rehberger and his class.
- 2013: McKinsey & Company, Inc. Germany, Frankfurt
- Exhibition of Städelschule students at the McKinsey branch.
- 2012: Charity Summer Festival 2012 for the benefit of Städelschule
- Project management with Jonas Leihener.
- 2011: Art Basel, E-Flux, Städelschule Guesthouse, Basel, Switzerland
- Cooperation and project management for Städelschule.
- 2010 – 2011: Deutsche Bank AG, Frankfurt
- Art festival "Globe. For Frankfurt and the World" in collaboration with Robert Johnson.
- 2010 – 2011: Museum für Moderne Kunst Frankfurt – MMK
- Project management for "MMK Afterwork" in collaboration with Robert Johnson.
- 2009 – 2011: Robert Johnson, Club, Offenbach
- Development and implementation of event concepts in cooperation with various institutions.
- 2006 – 2009: Azita Store and www.azitastore.com, Concept Store, Frankfurt
- Strategy, concept development, and purchasing with Teimaz Shahverdi, collaborating with brands such as Acne, A.P.C., Bernhard Willhelm, BLESS, COMME des GARÇONS, Henrik Vibskov, Nike, Opening Ceremony, Raf Simons, and Wood Wood.
In addition to his work in the art sector, Raven has also worked in fashion and event management, including for the concept store Azita, the legendary Offenbach techno club Robert Johnson and the event-listing website "Das Tor zur Modewelt".
Manuel Raven is currently working as an art consultant, utilizing his extensive knowledge and experience to advise collectors, galleries, and institutions on art acquisitions, curation, and collection management. His expertise encompasses contemporary art, visual communication, and exhibition curation, making him a valuable resource in the art market. Raven's work is characterized by his commitment to nurturing artistic talent and enriching the cultural life of Frankfurt.
Contact
- Adress: Mendelssohnstraße 55, 60325 Frankfurt am Main
- Phone: +49 (0) 178 7459741
- Email: kontakt@kuenstlerfoerderung.de
We look forward to enriching and promoting the art scene in Frankfurt together with you!
