BMW joins Gallery Weekend Berlin 2025 with new Art Talk format

BMW hosts a panel at Gallery Weekend Berlin 2025 to discuss modern models of art patronage and support for artists in today’s cultural landscape.

On the first weekend of May, Berlin will once again take center stage in the international art calendar as Gallery Weekend Berlin 2025 celebrates its 21st edition. This year, a new addition joins the traditional gallery circuit: the Gallery Weekend Art Talks, with long-standing partner BMW Group contributing for the first time to this new platform for discussion.

Under the title “BMW Art Talk: Why and How to Support Art”, a high-profile panel discussion will take place on Friday, May 2, at the iconic Neue Nationalgalerie. Organized by BMW Group Cultural Engagement, the talk will delve into contemporary models of art patronage, the role of private initiatives, and how digital platforms influence today’s art world.

The lineup confirms the event’s international reach: Karen Boros, founder of Berlin’s Boros Collection; collector Eva Leinemann; and Nigerian curator and cultural figure Azu Nwagbogu, founder of the African Artists’ Foundation and LagosPhoto Festival. Moderating the session will be Thomas Girst, Head of Cultural Engagement at BMW Group.

"It is important for us to create formats that open up dialogue and provide a platform for artists, curators, and collectors," says Antonia Ruder, Director of Gallery Weekend Berlin.

The event will also present the seventh edition of the BMW Art Guide by Independent Collectors, a publication that highlights over 300 privately owned collections in 51 countries. This guide has long served as a bridge between private collecting and public accessibility.

The Neue Nationalgalerie, where the talks will be hosted, is more than just a venue—it’s a symbol of Berlin’s modernist heritage and a fitting backdrop for forward-looking cultural discussions. Over the weekend, the glass hall will host a range of conversations featuring international artists, curators, and collectors, turning the space into a vibrant center for creative exchange.

BMW’s cultural involvement in Berlin goes beyond this weekend. In 2025, the company will once again support the Preis der Nationalgalerie and host the beloved open-air concert Staatsoper für alle on Bebelplatz on June 22.

In an evolving art landscape, initiatives like the BMW Art Talk are becoming increasingly vital. They offer a fresh lens on collaboration between patrons and institutions and help ensure that art remains accessible, relevant, and open to dialogue.

Source: bmwgroup.com