Luftaufnahme der Altstadt von Lübeck, umgeben vom Fluss und Hafenanlagen
All that is good and beautiful in Lübeck
Welcome!

Who we are

The Possehl Foundation has been based in Beckergrube in Lübeck's old town since 1919, just like the L. Possehl & Co. mbH Group, which was founded in 1847. In accordance with the wishes of its founder Emil Possehl, it promotes “all that is good and beautiful” in Lübeck and so provides wide-ranging support for community development in the Hanseatic city. The foundation is also the shareholder of two museums and a theatre and awards six different prizes every year for special achievements.

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What we sponsor

In accordance with its articles of association, the Possehl Foundation sponsors the beauty of the city of Lübeck, charitable institutions, young people, art and science, and supports people in social need with offers of help and individual assistance. It also develops and promotes projects on socially relevant topics in collaboration with partners.

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News

Shilpa Gupta receives Possehl Prize for International Art 2025
The Indian artist Shilpa Gupta (*1976, Mumbai) has been awarded the Possehl Prize for International Art 2025, endowed with 25,000 euros and a solo exhibition in Lübeck. The award ceremony will take place at the same time as the opening of the exhibition on 27 September in the presence of the artist at the Kunsthalle St. Annen in Lübeck.
Kulturfunke* Prize for Innovation & Experimentation
Freelance artists and cultural professionals can apply now! In 2025, the Possehl Foundation will once again honour outstanding artistic projects from the independent cultural scene as part of the Kulturfunke* initiative – this year with the award of up to 24 Kulturfunke Prizes for Innovation and Experimentation. The application period runs from 12 February to 24 March 2025.
Erster Possehl-Wettbewerb für Neue Musik
 Musikhochschule Lübeck (MHL) - Studierende der MHL

Awards

Because the promotion of young talent was particularly important to our founder, the foundation now awards annual prizes for outstanding achievement to students at the Lübeck College of Music and the Lübeck University of Technology. Two Possehl Prizes for Art focus on contemporary artists.

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Subsidiaries

The Possehl Foundation is the sole shareholder of the non-profit limited companies Europäisches Hansemuseum Lübeck and KOLK 17 Figurentheater & Museum.

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Sustainability

Ecological transformation is a team sport, because the urgently needed climate targets can only be achieved by joining forces! The Possehl Foundation is happy to support its applicants and partners as they contribute to this vital endeavour.

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