Directory of Services

IKA offers comprehensive and flexible services in the fields of scientific research, conception, organization, implementation and management of national and international special exhibitions and exhibition tours. Our focus lies mainly on cultural and artistic endeavours, but also encompasses social and corporate topics. Hereafter, we have prepared an overview of our optional services, from which we develop singular projects and customized cooperation.

CONCEPT & DESIGN

It all starts with a good idea, followed by profound research and a coherent concept. Core of each of our projects are the original exhibits. IKA maintains numerous contacts to museums, art collections, artists and other potential lenders and experts throughout the world. Our exhibitions are composed with great care and strive for high-class exhibits and their unique presentation. A well thought-out exhibition design and scenography using the highest artistic standards forms the basis of our conceptual services.

DEVELOPMENT & REALIZATION

Our team of experts in the fields of art history, cultural studies, graphic design, exhibition scenography and public relations conducts the realization of each project and develops all contents:

  • creation of information materials, project proposals, presentations
  • choice of exhibits
  • compilation of captions, labels, text-panels, abstracts and summaries
  • design of floor plans and installation manuals
  • contributions for catalogs and guides
  • selection of authors, editorial services, proofreading
  • graphic design of panels and accompanying publications (catalog, guide, brochure)
  • publication of the exhibition catalog with a renowned publishing house
  • scenography of the final installation, design of the display
  • development and integration of interactive, didactical and multimedia devices
  • proposals for press releases and compilation of comprehensive press kits
  • design of posters, ads, flyers (whenever the hosting institution needs our assistance)

 

Due to the intercultural and multilingual layout of our traveling exhibitions usually the accompanying texts and media (labels, catalogs, press kits, videos etc.) are available in several languages.

ORGANIZATION, MANAGEMENT & LOGISTICS

Quality project management is an absolute precondition for a long-lasting and successful worldwide exhibition tour. We constantly keep track of the project schedule and take care of all necessary arrangements for the entire duration.

  • Acquisition of exhibits: approach of lenders; negotiations and conclusion of contracts; covering of loan fees; collection of exhibits from the lenders; gathering at IKA and preparations (framing etc.) before worldwide tour.
  • Survey of the artworks: conservation and restoration of the exhibits; condition reports; professional storage and packaging.
  • Nail-to-nail art insurance: full risk insurance with a well-established fine art insurance company for the whole exhibition tour covering all exhibits and integral parts of the show at any time, i.e. during the transport, the set-up and dismantling, the runtime, and the storage; handling cases of damage or loss ensuring a smooth claim settlement and the continuous presentation of the exhibition.
  • Customs documents and clearance: settling of all matters regarding the export and import of the artworks and exhibition elements and devices.
  • Transportation: storage of exhibits in special climate shipping crates; safe transport of the whole exhibition to the respective venues around the world with a reliable international art transportation company.

MARKETING & PARTNERSHIPS

We take advantage of our broad network of contacts to find media partners and sponsors for our exhibition projects. An extensive marketing of an exhibition is the guaranty for its success. Financially strong sponsorships and presenting partnerships (print and electronic media) make it possible even for smaller museums with minor funds to present excellent exhibitions.

PRODUCTION, IMPLEMENTATION & INSTALLATION

IKA organizes and monitors the production of all exhibition-related print products (e.g. labels, panels, catalog, flyer) as well as of marketing and merchandising articles. If not provided by the hosting institution, IKA also cares for the construction of all necessary exhibition devices:

  • partition walls and fixtures
  • showcases, pedestals and stands
  • models and multimedia devices

 

Our exhibitions will be delivered ready for mounting and are always accompanied by at least one (usually two) IKA curator(s), who – in collaboration with the hosting institution – take(s) charge of everything concerning the installation of the exhibition at the respective venues:

  • organization and supervision of the set-up (and the dismantling) of the exhibition
  • scheduling of the delivery, unloading (and loading) of the exhibition
  • unpacking (and repacking) of the artworks, record of detailed condition reports (that have to be countersigned by a representative of the hosting institution)
  • placing, mounting and installing of artworks
  • arrangement of repairs and replacements (including restoration of artworks) that might become necessary during the runtime

 

This minimizes the effort for the presenter – all we need are some helping hands

COOPERATION THAT BENEFITS ALL PARTNERS

Many of the above listed services and their associated costs are one-off expenses: concept, design, shipping crates, showcases, fixtures and fittings, creation of texts are required only once per tour. These costs are shared equally among all institutions that participate.

Due to long running periods and high contract volumes, all tour participants also profit from reduced costs for insurance, loan fees, transportation and accompanying materials like catalogs and merchandising items. The share for each hosting institution is much smaller than the expenses for an equivalent individually organised exhibition would be.

We offer our clients effective and cooperative quality project management. This also includes constant communication with lenders, organizing and presenting partners, exchange of experiences as well as listening: we hear our partners’ and clients’ comments, suggestions, questions and needs. We have great experience in realizing projects internationally and we are aware of cultural differences. We adjust our work and projects to the local conditions and we work together with the presenter on a solution to every problem that might occur. Thanks to our prudence and 25 years of experience, IKA has gained the confidence of lenders, insurance companies, sponsors and many organizing and presenting partners and we are looking forward to become your reliable partner.

Finally we’d like to clarify that IKA full-service is flexible. Our partners have a say in everything and are invited to participate in the curation and the display of the exhibition. It is also understood that our clients are in the lead and can take over one or several parts independently. There is not just one form of cooperation, but many – according to your convenience and request.

News

Vision and Work

On July 18, 2025, the Buchheim Museum opened the largest retrospective to date dedicated to Max Pechstein. The exhibition Max Pechstein – Vision and Work, on view until October 26, 2025, offers more than just the iconic images of Expressionism: it provides a comprehensive insight into a multifaceted oeuvre that, in its search for harmony between humanity and nature, continues to resonate today. Paintings, watercolors, drawings, and prints form the core of the show, complemented by letters, photographs, and preparatory sketches. The works span Pechstein’s early years, his time with the Brücke group, the masterpieces of the 1910s to early 1930s, and his late work of the 1950s.

Max Pechstein – Vision and Work is a collaboration between the Buchheim Museum, the Institute for Cultural Exchange, the Max Pechstein Foundation, and the Art Collections of Zwickau.

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Carl-Henning Pedersen & Else Alfelt

The exhibition Cosmic Dimensions – Carl-Henning Pedersen & Else Alfelt has celebrated its world premiere and is on view from 10 April 2025 to 31 August 2025 at the Kunstsilo in Kristiansand, Norway. This captivating presentation highlights the visionary work of the Danish artist couple, known for their radiant colors, poetic imagery, and spiritual themes. As key figures of the Danish CoBrA movement, their art creates a universal dialogue between humanity, the cosmos, and creativity.
Part of an international touring exhibition, this is the most comprehensive showcase of their work to date.

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50 Years of Hyperrealistic Sculpture

The Institute for Cultural Exchange proudly presents the exhibition Reshaped Reality – 50 Years of Hyperrealistic Sculptures at Osaka Culturarium Tempozan as part of EXPO 2025 in Osaka, Japan. A comprehensive selection of sculptures by international representatives of the Hyperrealistic movement gives a profound insight into the development of this movement since the 1970s. The exhibition will be on display from April 10, 2025 to October 13, 2025. Previous presentations of the exhibition, for example in Spain, the Netherlands, and Denmark, broke all visitor records.

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Worlds in Dialogue

The exhibition Surrealism – Worlds in Dialogue celebrated its premiere on August 31, 2024, at the Kunsthalle Vogelmann in Heilbronn. Visitors can experience this fascinating journey through 100 years of surrealist art until January 5, 2025. The exhibition highlights how the surrealist vision has influenced subsequent generations up to the present day. This cross-generational encounter demonstrates how surrealist themes and methods still resonate with our zeitgeist, while addressing fundamental socio-political issues. Avantgardists such as Max Ernst, Salvador Dalí, Yves Tanguy, René Magritte, Claude Cahun, and others engage in dialogue with contemporary artists like Cindy Sherman, Sarah Lucas, or David Lynch, shedding light on themes such as identity, gender and technology from various perspectives.

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Toulouse-Lautrec and the Masters of Montmartre

The exhibition La Bohème. Toulouse-Lautrec and the Masters of Montmartre by the Institute for Cultural Exchange reached its final destination at the Victoria Art Gallery in Bath, England, where it was on display from April 26 to September 29, 2024. Unfortunately, this marks the end of the successful exhibition tour. The impressive works by Toulouse-Lautrec and his contemporaries will now return to the Musée d’Ixelles, where they can be admired again in the permanent collection next year. The exhibition showcased Toulouse-Lautrec’s extensive lithographic poster works from the Musée d’Ixelles collection. Toulouse-Lautrec was a master at capturing the spirit of Parisian nightlife. The exhibition was complemented by works from his predecessors and contemporaries such as Alfons Mucha, Théophile-Alexandre Steinlen, and Félix Vallotton, offering a fascinating insight into poster art around 1900. We are very pleased to have accompanied the six-year tour and would like to thank all the museums and participants for this extraordinary journey.

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in Art and Film

We are glad to announce that our exhibition project Expressionism in Art and Film will be presented at the Musée de Loève in France from June 15, 2024, to September 15, 2024. The exhibition aims to shed new light on Expressionism across conventional boundaries of genre and to show the common influences between the arts of painting, graphics, and film. The presentation will consist of a selection of approx. 120 exhibits including paintings, graphical works, film stills, and film excerpts.

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Embracing the Future

Patricia Piccinini. Fremde Berührung will be presented at the Kunsthalle “Talstrasse” Halle (Saale) in Germany from March 22, 2024, to June 30, 2024. This survey exhibition of the Australian artist lets the visitor peek into the future and question one’s own existence. Based on selected exhibits (sculptures, installations, collages, and video) this solo show presents the complete œuvre of the artist, who discusses relevant social topics and discourses. With her hybrid, lifelike creatures, Piccinini opens up new, possible perspectives on the future of mankind and how to handle them.

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Japan in times of rapid social change

The Museum Bad Arolsen presents the fascinating photo exhibition Between Meditation and Urban Bustle – Japanese Photography of the 1960s from September 9, 2023, to November 19, 2023. This unique exhibition by the Institute for Cultural Exchange showcases the works of twelve significant representatives of Japanese photography during this era. Immerse yourself in the Residenzschloss Arolsen and explore the visual narratives that are shaped by a time when Japan experienced rapid economic growth while undergoing societal transformations. From photojournalism and spontaneous situational portraits to symbolic staging, graphic abstraction, and poetic visual stories.

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