A National Institute for Photography
The Deutsches Fotoinstitut (DFI) is taking shape as a public institution dedicated to the past, present, and future of photography
The question of how photographic heritage can be preserved, researched, and made accessible has accompanied Germany since the late 19th century. Invented in France and England in the 1830s, photography soon found institutional homes there—whereas in Germany, a federally anchored institution that connects the diverse realms of photography has been missing to this day. With the Deutsches Fotoinstitut (DFI), an institution is now emerging to take on this task and to bring together the past, present, and future of photography.
With its artists and photographers, its camera and optics industry, and its significant collections, Germany has made essential contributions to the international history of photography. Yet preserving this legacy has become an increasing challenge. Many holdings are at risk due to a lack of overarching coordination, shared standards, and suitable storage and depot facilities. The fragility and transience of photographic materials—from silvered copper plates and glass negatives to C-prints, color films, Polaroids, or JPEG files—show how vulnerable photographic heritage is when coordinated preservation strategies and sustained funding are absent.
Against this background, the Deutsches Fotoinstitut (DFI) is being established as a public institution to address these diverse responsibilities. Conceived as a research center and working platform, the DFI connects archives, collections, and practitioners, supports their work, and links preservation and conservation with research and exchange to safeguard the photographic heritage, make knowledge accessible, and foster visual literacy in a world shaped by images.
Founding Commission and Final Report
To define the emerging institute’s scope and direction, the Federal Government, the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, and the City of Düsseldorf tasked a founding commission, which presented its final report in July 2025. The report outlines key areas of activity—from public programs, exhibitions, and advisory services for archives, collections, and artists’ studios to digitization, research, and the safeguarding and conservation of photographic materials.
Further information and official statements by the Federal Government, the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, and the City of Düsseldorf can be found on the website of the Ministry of Culture and Science of North Rhine-Westphalia. There one can find the full report of the founding commission.
The DFI Association – Initiative, Conception, and Collaboration
The Deutsches Fotoinstitut (DFI) originated from an initiative by artists whose work operates within the dynamic field between artistic practice and technological change.
The transition from analog to digital technology and the sustainable use of photographic materials and production processes raise complex questions that continually demand new solutions. Out of these inquiries, Andreas Gursky, Stefan Hostettler, and Moritz Wegwerth (Chair, DFI e. V.) developed a set of key themes and questions, from which—together with colleagues, experts, the Ministry of Culture in North Rhine-Westphalia, and representatives of the photographic field—the concept for a Deutsches Fotoinstitut was formulated.
To further develop this vision of a public, internationally oriented center for photography, the initiators founded the non-profit Association for the Establishment and Promotion of a Deutsches Fotoinstitut e. V. Among its first members and supporters were Max Becher, Jen DeNike, Jan Dibbets, Roe Ethridge, Hans-Peter Feldmann, Peter Piller, Cindy Sherman, Jeff Wall, and Christopher Williams.
The joint funding proposal for a Deutsches Fotoinstitut submitted by the City of Düsseldorf and the DFI e. V. in October 2019, together with the first published concept paper from May 2020, laid the foundation for the institute’s current realization—jointly decided by the Federal Government, the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, and the City of Düsseldorf.
From the association’s work, collaborations have emerged with educational institutions, collections, and partner organizations that accompany and substantively support the institute’s development. The DFI e. V. collaborates with the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf, the Photographische Sammlung/SK Stiftung Kultur in Cologne, the City of Düsseldorf, the Fondation Herzog in Basel, the Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam, and other partners on projects and initiatives that evolve through ongoing exchange.
Towards Photography – Discourse and Exchange
With the exhibition and discursive series Towards Photography, the DFI e. V. opens a space for dialogue and critical engagement. The series addresses both international and local audiences. Through lectures, conversations, exhibitions, and workshops, current questions of photography are explored in collaboration with artists, theorists, initiatives, and educational institutions.
Further information: towards.photography
A National Institute for Photography
The Deutsches Fotoinstitut (DFI) is taking shape as a public institution dedicated to the past, present, and future of photography
The question of how photographic heritage can be preserved, researched, and made accessible has accompanied Germany since the late 19th century. Invented in France and England in the 1830s, photography soon found institutional homes there—whereas in Germany, a federally anchored institution that connects the diverse realms of photography has been missing to this day. With the Deutsches Fotoinstitut (DFI), an institution is now emerging to take on this task and to bring together the past, present, and future of photography.
With its artists and photographers, its camera and optics industry, and its significant collections, Germany has made essential contributions to the international history of photography. Yet preserving this legacy has become an increasing challenge. Many holdings are at risk due to a lack of overarching coordination, shared standards, and suitable storage and depot facilities. The fragility and transience of photographic materials—from silvered copper plates and glass negatives to C-prints, color films, Polaroids, or JPEG files—show how vulnerable photographic heritage is when coordinated preservation strategies and sustained funding are absent.
Against this background, the Deutsches Fotoinstitut (DFI) is being established as a public institution to address these diverse responsibilities. Conceived as a research center and working platform, the DFI connects archives, collections, and practitioners, supports their work, and links preservation and conservation with research and exchange to safeguard the photographic heritage, make knowledge accessible, and foster visual literacy in a world shaped by images.
Founding Commission and Final Report
To define the emerging institute’s scope and direction, the Federal Government, the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, and the City of Düsseldorf tasked a founding commission, which presented its final report in July 2025. The report outlines key areas of activity—from public programs, exhibitions, and advisory services for archives, collections, and artists’ studios to digitization, research, and the safeguarding and conservation of photographic materials.
Further information and official statements by the Federal Government, the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, and the City of Düsseldorf can be found on the website of the Ministry of Culture and Science of North Rhine-Westphalia. There one can find the full report of the founding commission.
The DFI Association – Initiative, Conception, and Collaboration
The Deutsches Fotoinstitut (DFI) originated from an initiative by artists whose work operates within the dynamic field between artistic practice and technological change.
The transition from analog to digital technology and the sustainable use of photographic materials and production processes raise complex questions that continually demand new solutions. Out of these inquiries, Andreas Gursky, Stefan Hostettler, and Moritz Wegwerth (Chair, DFI e. V.) developed a set of key themes and questions, from which—together with colleagues, experts, the Ministry of Culture in North Rhine-Westphalia, and representatives of the photographic field—the concept for a Deutsches Fotoinstitut was formulated.
To further develop this vision of a public, internationally oriented center for photography, the initiators founded the non-profit Association for the Establishment and Promotion of a Deutsches Fotoinstitut e. V. Among its first members and supporters were Max Becher, Jen DeNike, Jan Dibbets, Roe Ethridge, Hans-Peter Feldmann, Peter Piller, Cindy Sherman, Jeff Wall, and Christopher Williams.
The joint funding proposal for a Deutsches Fotoinstitut submitted by the City of Düsseldorf and the DFI e. V. in October 2019, together with the first published concept paper from May 2020, laid the foundation for the institute’s current realization—jointly decided by the Federal Government, the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, and the City of Düsseldorf.
From the association’s work, collaborations have emerged with educational institutions, collections, and partner organizations that accompany and substantively support the institute’s development. The DFI e. V. collaborates with the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf, the Photographische Sammlung/SK Stiftung Kultur in Cologne, the City of Düsseldorf, the Fondation Herzog in Basel, the Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam, and other partners on projects and initiatives that evolve through ongoing exchange.
Towards Photography – Discourse and Exchange
With the exhibition and discursive series Towards Photography, the DFI e. V. opens a space for dialogue and critical engagement. The series addresses both international and local audiences. Through lectures, conversations, exhibitions, and workshops, current questions of photography are explored in collaboration with artists, theorists, initiatives, and educational institutions.
Further information: towards.photography