Fraunhofer Center for International Management and Knowledge Economy IMW
Background
For more than 25 years the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft has conducted research on the topic of cultural heritage, developing innovative technologies that are in demand worldwide. In 2008, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, in partnership with the research museums in the Leibniz Association and the institutions of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation, founded the Heritage Research Alliance. Since July, 2014 the Alliance has expanded to include the Dresden State Art Collections and the Saxon State Library - State and University Library Dresden.
Pilot Project for the Preservation and Digitization of Cultural Heritage
In a joint project with the Saxon-based partners, the 16 participating Fraunhofer institutes will, over the next three years, develop new conservation and digitization concepts. These concepts will work to make a meaningful contribution towards the security of German and European cultural heritage. The pilot project combines the expertise of the technology-led and socioeconomically oriented Fraunhofer institutes with the humanities and cultural studies expertise of the Saxon partners.
Core topics include:
- climate stability and clean air in museums,
- stable long-term restoration materials,
- new digitization processes,
- virtual reconstructions and
- the preservation of manuscripts and papers.
Study Aims to Measure Cultural Heritage as an Economic Factor
In the pilot project, the Leipzig Fraunhofer Center will complete an extensive study on the economic and social value of cultural heritage. The main findings will be merged into a 'Cultural Heritage Services' concept. Through socio-economic methods, argumentation aids will be developed to encourage investment in the preservation of cultural heritage.
In addition, researchers at the Leipzig Fraunhofer Center are responsible for the design and implementation of a continuous stakeholder dialogue. This support provided to the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft will help position the institute in the next few years as one of the leading institutions in both Germany and Europe in the field of cultural heritage research.