The Peter-Weiss-Foundation for Art and Politics was founded in December 1993 as a non-profit organisation based in Berlin. The patron of the foundation is the author Peter Weiss, who died in 1982. The founding members included Mircea Dinescu, Ulrich Schreiber and Alfons Söllner.
According to the statutes, the goal of the Peter Weiss Foundation as an international institution is to “make the often tension-laden relationship between art and politics on the subject of a broad-based debate.” (Ulrich Schreiber) The main focus is the promotion of art and culture, through the organisation of cultural events, the stimulation of artistic interpretations, the promotion of artists as well as political-aesthetic education (through publications, support for research projects, educational events, conferences, promotion of scholars).
The board of directors of the Peter Weiss Foundation for Art and Politics is Barbara Wahlster and Prof. Johannes Kister.