The International Artists Forum IKG was initiated by well-known artists like Joseph Beuys, Jochen Gerz, Gotthard Graubner, Klaus Staeck and others, and founded 1976 in Cologne. It was and is an association of artists, curators, critics working on the field of the visual arts. As a parallel to the Pen-Club the IKG is engaged for freedom of the art, of information and press, for the right of cultural self-determination, for tolerance and cultural diversity.
The IKG has more than 230 members from Argentinien, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Belarusm, Canada, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Italy, Israel, Japan, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, United States of America.
Annual meeting in Cologne from 8-11th October 2026
Venue: Alte Feuerwache Köln · Melchiorstr 3 · 50670 Köln
1976IKG2026 – 50 Years of the International Artists’ Committee
Exhibition · Installation · Concerts · Panel Discussion
The public events as part of 1976IKG2026 provide a space for art, exchange, and new connections. An exhibition space will showcase small-scale works: “Art from a Suitcase” featuring more than 40 artists, dialogues in the hall, and an installation titled “IKG by documents” by An Seebach and Nicholé Velasquez in the theater rehearsal room. There will also be a panel discussion and concerts. The program traces 50 years of the IKG.
Friday, October 9, 2026
6:00 p.m.
Opening of the exhibition Art from a Suitcase (Hall)
6:00 p.m.
Opening of the installation IKG by documents (Theater Rehearsal Room)
9:00 p.m.
Concert 70minutes based on MusiCircus by John Cage
Saturday, October 10, 2026
2:00 p.m.
Panel discussion (Stage)
Engagement as Practice – Art Between Freedom, Responsibility, and Collectivity
Claudia Emmert, Adib Fricke, Karin Lingl, and Manus Tsangaris
Moderator: Uta M. Reindl
2:00 – 7:00 p.m.
The exhibition and installation are open.
Art from a Suitcase (Hall)
IKG by documents (Theater Rehearsal Room)
8:00 p.m.
Revivals – in memoriam || Concerts
Rolf Langebartels, Tom Johnson, Terry Fox