The Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen
(Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations) is an organization operating worldwide to promote artistic exchange and dialogue between civil societies and to provide information about foreign cultural policy.

As the leading German institution for international cultural exchange, IFA devises and organizes German contemporary art exhibitions worldwide, funds artists’ exhibition projects and awards scholarships. Through various exchange programs, international conferences and special media programs, IFA brings together people from different cultures, with particular focus on civil conflict resolution and development of structures in civil society. IFA is also involved in a variety of other projects in co-operation with foundations and other civil society organizations both nationally and internationally.

The IFA galleries in Stuttgart and Berlin feature contemporary art, architecture and design from Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe. IFA’s internet portal along with IFA-run the Kulturaustausch (Journal for international perspectives) and the specialised library
in Stuttgart rank among the most important forums for information about foreign cultural politics in Germany.

IFA’s support for the Biennial Foundation reflects its ongoing interest in the global proliferation of biennials and the surrounding discourse. IFA has been instrumental in instigating some of the earliest discussions on biennials as a global phenomenon and shaping them ever since by organizing a series of Biennials in Dialogue conferences in Kassel (2000), Frankfurt (2002), Singapore (2006) and Shanghai (September 2008).