Düsseldorf's Cultural Policy in Focus: Expanding Diversity and Investing in Cultural Buildings

Diversity as a New Cultural Strategy

In January 2026, Düsseldorf set a milestone in cultural policy: The Cultural Committee approved a "Diversity Transformation Process" aimed at fundamentally changing the cultural everyday life in the city. The goal is to make cultural institutions more accessible and to make the visitor structure and staff composition more transparent.

Using KulMon® databases, the visitor structure will be systematically recorded to develop targeted measures for inclusion. At the same time, an investigation into diversity within cultural teams is planned. Training programs for staff and a diversity newsletter will anchor diversity as a fixed part of work. These measures are part of Action Package 1 and are to be implemented within six months.

Renovation and the Future of Cultural Buildings

At the same time, Düsseldorf is investing in long-term cultural infrastructure. The project group "Renovation of Cultural Buildings" has been newly staffed and will exist until 2030. It consists of representatives of the municipal political factions and prioritizes renovation measures at city-run cultural buildings.

A central project is the renovation of Hetjens – German Ceramics Museum, where a museum café will be created. During the renovation work, which is expected to last until 2027, admission will remain "pay what you want," and Sunday admission will remain free. Similar renovations are also taking place at Ehrenhof 4-5 of Museum Kunstpalast, where the third amendment to the funding was unanimously approved.

Cultural Education and Exhibition Programs

Cultural education is another focus. Numerous museums and institutions such as the City Museum, the Goethe Museum, or the Düsseldorf Maritime Museum are presenting extensive exhibition programs for the first half of 2026. These range from thematic exhibitions such as "Jazz: Düsseldorf/Palermo" to educational projects such as "Children Make a Museum," which is co-designed by students from the KGS Höhenstraße.

Another highlight is the exhibition "Endangered Lives – Queer People 1933 to 1945" at the Düsseldorf Memorial and Remembrance Site, created in cooperation with the Federal Foundation Magnus Hirschfeld and highlighting the life stories of queer people. These projects show how Düsseldorf combines cultural education with social relevance.

Cultural Policy Cooperation and Partnerships

Düsseldorf is also relying on partnerships with other cities and institutions. For example, the exhibition "Jazz: Düsseldorf/Palermo" celebrates the tenth anniversary of the city partnership and presents cultural relations between North Rhine-Westphalia and Italy. At the same time, the Polish Institute Düsseldorf is supported in its exhibition on Andrzej Wajda, which is held on the occasion of his 100th birthday.

This cooperation underlines how Düsseldorf strengthens its external cultural relations and simultaneously changes internal structures to enable a more inclusive and accessible cultural policy.

Outlook: A Dynamic Cultural Policy in Transition

The decisions of the Cultural Committee show that Düsseldorf is not only investing in the preservation of historical buildings but also in innovation and diversity. The combination of renovation measures, cultural education, and new forms of participation makes Düsseldorf's cultural policy particularly dynamic in 2026. The coming months will show whether this strategy is sustainable in practice and how it affects the broader population.