BERLIN.- On Thursday, May 29, 2014, and on the occasion of the 8th Berlin Biennale opening, French Ambassador to Germany, Maurice Gourdault-Montagne, announced the launch of Perspektive , a Franco-German Fund for Contemporary Art and Architecture.

Perspektive has been initiated by the Bureau des arts plastiques of the Institut français Germany and the French Embassy, with the aim of furthering and deepening artistic relations between France and Germany. The fund will promote projects in the fields of contemporary art and architecture, thereby stimulating direct and personal exchange between agents working in either discipline and contributing to internationalizing the art scene.

Twice a year, institutions can apply with project proposals and initiatives that motivate international encounters between artists, architects and curators and thus contribute to the exchange of ideas, works and discourses. Museums, art centers, Kunstvereine, galleries, project spaces, alternative exhibition spaces, residency programs, educational facilities for art and curatorial studies as well as research centers are eligible for funding. A Franco-German committee of experts, whose members will be announced in autumn 2014, will select the projects to receive support. The first call for proposals opens November 15, 2014.

Perspektive could secure a financial basis through joint funding by the Institut français, the French Ministry for Culture and Communication, as well as the Goethe Institut. In addition, private donors and corporations are invited to make financial contributions to Perspektive .

Further information are available on www.fonds-perspektive.de.