He replaces Dr. Monika Wulf-Mathies, who has chaired the foundation since its inception and is now stepping down from this honorary position after 20 years. Under her chairmanship of the Board of Trustees, the foundation has achieved international recognition over the past 15 years with a focus on sound art.
Thomas Baerens, a musicologist and teacher, worked at the Ministry of Culture and Science of North Rhine-Westphalia from 1995 to 2024, most recently as Head of the Music Department, and is a proven expert on the music scene.
The Beethoven Foundation for Art and Culture was established at the end of 2004 using federal compensation funds. The aim of the foundation is to sustainably strengthen Bonn's importance as the birthplace of Ludwig van Beethoven.