Reich Chamber of Culture

Reich Chamber of Culture
Reichskulturkammer

Minister Goebbels and Walther Funk, at the Reich Ministry of Propaganda. Referent des Ministers Karl Hanke is in the background (1937).
Agency overview
Formed22 September 1933 (1933-09-22)
Dissolved8 May 1945 (1945-05-08)
JurisdictionNazi Germany
HeadquartersWilhelmplatz, Berlin
Minister responsible
Agency executive
  • See list, Vice president

The Reich Chamber of Culture (Reichskulturkammer, abbreviated as RKK) was a government agency 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.[1] Defying the competing ambitions of the German Labour Front (DAF) under Goebbels' rival Robert Ley, it was meant to gain control over the entire cultural life in Germany creating and promoting Aryan art consistent with Nazi ideals.

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

  1. ^ "Culture in the Third Reich: Overview". Holocaust Encyclopedia. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. June 10, 2013. Retrieved 9 March 2014.