Established in 1999 within the Weserburg Museum of Modern Art in Bremen, the Studienzentrum für Künstlerpublikationen (Research Centre for Artists’ Publications) is today one of the most significant institutions worldwide in the field of artists’ publications, with holdings exceeding 200,000 items.
The Research Centre traces its roots to the Archive for Small Press & Communication (ASPC), founded in 1974 by Anne Marsily and Guy Schraenen, and it incorporates more than 40 individual archives and special collections, including the PLG Friesländer’s Mail Art Archive, the Klaus Groh Collection, the Kunstradio Archive, and the Soft Geometry Archives.
The Research Centre’s fundamental task is to collect, develop, and explore artists’ publications since the 1950s. The mediation of the substantial works in the collections and archives also plays a significant role. The medial diversity of the artistic publications is brought to a wide audience through exhibitions, publications, and events.
Every year, about five to ten exhibitions on specific artists or certain topics offer insights into the various assets. In addition to the archives, collections, exhibitions, and events, research is the third working sphere of the Research Centre.