In recent years, women artists and feminist academics have finally been coming to the fore. Women´s achievements and creations are still being underestimated or not fully acknowledged, be it in the arts world or in the scientific community, in the media or in politics. Women´s art and women´s history

therefore deserve special support and promotion. The frauenmuseum seeks to increase knowledge in this area, to break traditional patterns and to develop new standards for aesthetic quality.

It also strives to achieve equal orpportunities for women and men.

History

The frauenmuseum was founded in 1981 by its present director Marianne Pitzen and the interdisciplinary women´s group “FRAUEN FORMEN IHRE STADT” (Women shape their town). There had never been an similar institution anywhere in the world. The women found adequate working space in a empty warehouse owned by the city of Bonn. After several years of negotiation, the city administration agreed to devote the building to this project. Private initiative, improvisation and countless hours of unpaid work helped to overcome the financial strain of the initial stages.

Today, frauenmuseum enjoys international recognition and high esteem: Women artists once featured in the frauenmuseum are establishing themselves on the international arts market, our catalogues are much in demand by specialist libraries in Germany and abroad, our staff are regularly invited to hold lectures.