Reichskulturkammer

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The Reichskulturkammer (RKK) ("Reich Chamber of Culture") was an institution in Nazi Germany. It was established by law on 22 September 1933 in the course of the Gleichschaltung process at the instigation of Reich Minister Joseph Goebbels as a professional organization of all German creative artists. Defying the claims raised by the German Labour Front (DAF) under rival Robert Ley, it was meant to gain control over the entire cultural life in Germany promoting art created by "Aryans" and seen as consistent with Nazi ideals.

Reichsminister Goebbels has a meeting with his Staatssekretär, Walther Funk, in his office at the Ministry. In the background, Referent des Ministers Karl Hanke takes a call.

Every artist had to apply for membership on presentation of an Aryan certificate. A rejected inscription de facto resulted in a profession ban.

The RKK was affiliated with the Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda with its seat in Berlin. Headed by Goebbels himself, a state secretary of his ministry served as vice president:

SS officer Hans Hinkel was one of the officers in charge of the chamber and Goebbels' special commissioner for the removal of Jews from German cultural life.

Different subdivisions of the RKK dealt with music, visual arts, film, architecture, and literature, organized in seven departments:

One notable project of the RKK's bildende Künste (visual arts) division was the Entartete Kunst touring exhibition, of works deemed "degenerate."

See also

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