The IAI in the SPK Network

The SPK

The Ibero-Amerikanisches Institut (IAI) is an institution of the Stiftung Preußischer Kulturbesitz (external link, opens in a new window) (SPK, Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation) in Berlin. The foundation is a world-renowned association of museums, libraries, archives, and research institutions. It is distinguished not only by its size, but also by its diversity. Its unique cross-genre collections have a wide geographical range, cultural diversity, and historical depth. In addition to the IAI, the SPK includes the Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin (external link, opens in a new window) (SBB, Berlin State Library), 21 museums and research institutes (external link, opens in a new window), the Geheimes Staatsarchiv (external link, opens in a new window) (GStA, Prussian Secret State Archives), and the Staatliches Institut für Musikforschung (external link, opens in a new window) (SIM, State Institute for Music Research). The SPK, founded in 1957, is funded by the Federal Government (Bund) and all sixteen Federal States (Länder). Accordingly, it performs tasks for the whole country.

The vision “SPK 2030” describes how the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation wants to develop by 2030 and the success criteria it wants to be measured by. Its guiding principle is: “We connect people, times and spaces.”  The following core statements summarize the foundation`s institutional position and the guidelines for its future content and programmatic orientation:

“We make diversity tangible, contribute our expertise to social debates, and help shape the future in partnership. Together with other archives, libraries, museums, and research institutions, we develop innovative strategies and formats for cultural preservation, research, digital transformation, education, and mediation. We create inspiring spaces for experience and discourse for an open exchange. As a strong, diverse network, we spark curiosity, connect knowledge, and expand perspectives. With our collections and our knowledge, we shape national and international partnerships, including in crisis situations. As a network, we think and act across institutions, combining our strengths and working together as equals. In the context of the complex realities of life, we offer our employees an environment in which they can work creatively, effectively, and sustainably.”

The strategy process of the cultural and scientific network SPK is understood as an iterative process. It gives all employees the opportunity to help shape the future of the SPK and their own working environment. 

The role of the IAI in the SPK network

Due to its profile and its thematic and regional orientation, the Ibero-Amerikanisches Institut contributes specific expertise, knowledge, and experience to the SPK. This particularly encompasses the areas of internationalization, multilingualism, reflected interculturality, interdisciplinary work, scientific third-party funding and collaborative projects, as well as the scientific publication program and open science.

The institute’s interdisciplinary approach also goes hand in hand with networking expertise and management competencies that are important for other institutions and for the SPK as a whole. This is because the IAI innovatively embodies on a small scale what the SPK as a whole stands for: the combination of science, culture, research and knowledge infrastructures.

The IAI is actively involved in cross-cutting processes within the SPK and is committed to the strategic orientation of the network. It thus plays an important role in utilizing and innovatively developing the added value in terms of content and structure that is inherent in the SPK network. Content-based collaboration with other institutions is therefore of particular importance to the Ibero-Amerikanisches Institut. It carries out a wide range of collaborative projects at the Kulturforum (external link, opens in a new window) and is playing a major role in the development of the Forschungscampus Dahlem (external link, opens in a new window) (Dahlem Research Campus).