In a surprising turn of events, Andreas Görgen, previously head of the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM), is leaving his post. Görgen, who played an important role under Minister of State for Culture Claudia Roth (Alliance 90/Greens), has been replaced by Konrad Schmidt-Werthern, who was previously the Permanent Representative of the Senior Civil Servant at the BKM.

Schmidt-Werthern has extensive experience in the cultural sector. The lawyer, who has a doctorate in art law, previously worked as Head of the Culture Department in the Berlin Senate Administration and worked closely with former Culture Senator Joe Chialo (CDU). 

Andreas Görgen, also a lawyer, held various positions in the public sector before joining the BKM, including at the Federal Foreign Office, where he headed the Culture and Communication Department. His time in office during the Documenta 2022 scandal, when anti-Semitic incidents occurred at the renowned art biennial in Kassel, is particularly memorable.

The change at the top of the cultural authority takes place under the new leadership of Minister of State for Culture Wolfram Weimer. 

Schmidt-Werthern is now taking on the responsibility of further developing cultural policy in Germany and intensifying the dialogue with the various players in the cultural and creative industries. The change at the head of the BKM marks a new beginning and sets the course for the coming years. It remains to be seen how Schmidt-Werthern will master the challenges of the future, but his sound expertise in the field of cultural policy and administration gives us hope for a positive development.

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