Conference of Ministers of Culture

The Conference of Ministers of Culture is one of three sub-conferences of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK). The first meeting of the Conference of Ministers of Culture took place on March 13, 2019, in Berlin. The association of state ministers and senators responsible for cultural affairs been decided one year earlier.

The primary objective of the Conference of Ministers of Culture is to protect and promote the freedom of art as one of the hallmarks of our democracy. Through its initiatives, the Conference aims to safeguard and expand the spaces in which these freedoms can be exercised. Furthermore, the Conference seeks to give greater visibility to the cultural policy interests of the federal states at the national level. Cultural policy and funding programs of the federal government and the states should be more closely coordinated, and the societal importance of culture should be strengthened.

As the basis for its future work, the Conference of Ministers of Culture adopted a clear commitment to cultural and artistic freedom at its inaugural meeting. (Download the declaration)

The Rules of Procedure of the Conference of Ministers of Culture were adopted on December 12, 2024. They entered into force on January 1, 2025.

Our Cultural Topics

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Portraitfoto Präsidentin der Kulturministerkonferenz Katharina Binz

Focus on promoting young people’s cultural participation

“As Rhineland-Palatinate’s presidency of the Conference of Ministers of Culture in 2026, we want to place a strong focus on the cultural participation of young people. As both Youth Minister and Minister of Culture of Rhineland-Palatinate, this is a matter of particular importance to me. Building on the findings of the Rhineland-Palatinate Youth Culture Survey, a fireside chat will provide an opportunity for an exchange between policymakers, cultural practitioners, and young people. The discussion will address how youth-appropriate cultural offerings can be developed and how funding and participation structures can be strengthened. For when we actively involve young people in cultural policy decisions, we can also sustainably strengthen their cultural participation.”

The President

Katharina Binz
President of the Conference of Ministers of Culture
Minister for Family, Women, Culture and Integration of the State of Rhineland-Palatinate

Professional and Political Career

Since May 18, 2021: Minister for Family, Women, Culture, and Integration of Rhineland-Palatinate; since December 15, 2021: Deputy Minister-President of Rhineland-Palatinate
2017–2021: Member of the State Parliament; spokesperson for Science/Higher Education, Continuing Education & Research, Integration, Refugees & Asylum, Culture, Consumer Protection, Drugs, Health & Care
2013–2017: Full-time State Chair of Alliance 90/The Greens Rhineland-Palatinate
2011–2014 and 2019–2021: District Board Spokesperson for Alliance 90/The Greens Mainz
2011–2013: Constituency Staff Member
2009–2019: Member of Mainz City Council
2007–2011: Board Member of the District Association Mainz, Alliance 90/The Greens
2006–2007: Board Member of the Free Association of Student Unions (fzs)

Education

2015: Graduation
2003–2015: Studied Political Science and Philosophy at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz
2003: Abitur at Martin-von-Cochem-Gymnasium, Cochem

Voluntary Work and Memberships

Member of:
- Education and Science Workers’ Union
- “Frauennotruf Mainz” Support Association
- Open Ohr Festival Support Association
- Kulturbäckerei – Initiative for a Socio-Cultural Center in Mainz Neustadt
- Supporters Mainz e.V. Football and Sports Club Mainz 05 e.V.
- Friends and Supporters of the Fan Project Mainz e.V.
2007: Fellow at “Humanity in Action” with stays in New York and San Francisco, USA
2005–2006: Chair of the General Student Committee (AStA) at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz
Since 2005: Member of Alliance 90/The Greens

Aktuelles

Ländergemeinsame Fachtagung setzt starke Impulse für die Qualifizierung von Schulleitungen

Unter der Federführung des Landes Schleswig-Holstein kamen heute in Berlin Vertreterinnen und Vertreter aus Bildungsministerien, Landesinstituten, Wissenschaft und Schulpraxis zu einer länderübergreifenden Fachtagung zur Qualifizierung von Schulleitungen zusammen.

Aktuelle Pressemitteilungen:

Pressemitteilung vom 25.02.2026 Europäisches Kulturerbe-Siegel für die urbane Flusslandschaft Pader („The Pader Urban River Landscape“)
Pressemitteilung vom 24.02.2026 Neuer Internetauftritt der Kultusministerkonferenz online - kmk.org in neuer Struktur und modernisierter Form
Pressemitteilung vom 12.02.2026 CO₂-Kulturstandard weiterentwickelt

Organization of the Conference of Ministers of Culture

President Katharina Binz

Rhineland-Palatinate
Ministry for Family, Women, Culture and Integration

The President chairs the meetings of the Conference and represents the Conference externally.

Vicepresident Rainer Robra

Saxony-Anhalt
State Chancellery and Ministry of Culture

Contacting the Members

[Translate to English:] Wissenschaftsministerium BW

Ministerin Petra Olschowski | BÜNDNIS 90/DIE GRÜNEN
Ministerium für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kunst

Königstraße 46, 70173 Stuttgart

Conference of Ministers of Culture

In the following accordion you will find further information.

Objective

Founding Document

Rules of Procedure

Our Cultural Topics

World Heritage

European Capital of Culture

Environmental Sustainability in the Cultural Sector

German Digital Library (DDB)

Protection of cultural property

Dealing with Colonial Heritage in Museums and Collections

European Heritage Label

Intangible Cultural Heritage

Looted and Plundered Art

Focus on promoting young people’s cultural participation

Biography

Aktuelles

Ländergemeinsame Fachtagung setzt starke Impulse für die Qualifizierung von Schulleitungen

Aktuelle Pressemitteilungen:

Baden-Württemberg

Bavaria

Berlin

Brandenburg

Bremen

Hamburg

Hesse

Mecklenburg‑Western Pomerania

Lower Saxony

North Rhine‑Westphalia

Rhineland‑Palatinate

Saarland

Saxony

Saxony‑Anhalt

Schleswig-Holstein

Thuringia

In the following accordion you will find further information.

Rotation of the Presidency of the Conference of Ministers of Culture

Fireside Chats – Topics and Dates

Cooperation with the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media

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