There has been a change of leadership at Frankfurt's Museumsufer: four renowned female academics are taking over the management of important museums and institutions at the start of the year. The Weltkulturen Museum, the Historisches Museum, the Museum für Kommunikation and the Institut für Stadtgeschichte are now under female leadership.
"All four directors are highly qualified and bring fresh impetus," emphasized Ina Hartwig, Head of the Department of Culture and Science. "This will be good for the museums and their visitors."
Expert in looted art takes over the Weltkulturen Museum
Since 1 January, the ethnologist Prof. Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr. Henning Henning has been at the helm. January, ethnologist Prof. Dr. Larissa Förster has been the director of the Weltkulturen Museum. The specialist in provenance research is committed to dealing with colonial looted art and was most recently involved in the restitution of historical objects to Namibia. In future, she will have even more space for the unique collection in the museum's planned new branch in the banking district.
New director for the Historical Museum
Dr. Doreen Mölders, historian and archaeologist, also took over as director of the Historical Museum at the beginning of the year. She previously managed the Westphalian State Museum of Archaeology and Culture in Herne and developed innovative educational formats. Mölders will present her plans for the museum in a press conference on Tuesday, January 28.
Museum of Communication focuses on artificial intelligence
Dr. Annabelle Hornung, previously Director of the Museum of Communication in Nuremberg, is now in charge of the Frankfurt museum of the same name. Her focus in the coming year: the role of artificial intelligence in communication. Hornung completed her doctorate on the subject of "Queer Knights" and is committed to digital transformation and gender studies. She will introduce herself to the press on 21 January.
New face at the Institute of Urban History
From 3 March, Dr. Mirjam Sprau will take over as Director of the Institute of Urban History. The historian and archivist previously worked at the Federal Archives and is committed to improving the accessibility of historical sources.
Head of Cultural Affairs Hartwig is confident: "We can look forward to many innovative ideas and creative approaches in museum work."
Photo collage: from left to right.
Portrait Dr. Mirjam Sprau, Copyright: private
Portrait Dr. Larissa Förster, Copyright: Weltkulturen-Museum, Photo: Esra Klein
Portrait Dr. Doreen Mölders, Copyright: Christoph Kniel
Portrait Dr. Annabelle Hornung, Copyright: Museum für Kommunikation Frankfurt, Photo: Stefanie Kösling
Portrait Dr. Larissa Förster, Copyright: Weltkulturen-Museum, Photo: Esra Klein