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The Reichskulturkammer (RKK), or National Chamber of Culture, was formed on 9-22-33 by Propaganda Minister Josef Goebbels as a means to gather all those related to cultural politics, media and arts under his control. However, the actual driving force was to prevent control being taken by Robert Ley, head of the DAF, who in summer 1933, was determined to force mandatory membership by artists and writers. By forming the RKK and requiring membership, Goebbels was able to protect his hold over anything related to German culture and politics. The main function of the RKK was to oversee the cultural image the Third Reich portrayed both inside and outside of Germany. Anyone who wished to work in any capacity related to German culture was required to belong to the specified section of the RKK. Members had to possess an Aryan purity document, and Jews and other "cultural Bolsheviks," as Goebbels called them, were excluded. In 1936, modern art was prohibited and many pieces removed from museums. In 1937, an exhibit showcasing these pieces was held in Munich, after which they were either sold abroad or destroyed. On 7-18-37, the "Haus der Deutschen Kunst" was opened in Munich to display National Socialist culture and art to the people.
The seven sections of the RKK were as follows:
Reichsschrifttumskammer (National Chamber of Publishing), (Leader: since 1933: Hans
Friedrich Blunck, since 1935: Hanns Johst)
Reichsfilmkammer (National Chamber of Film), (Leader: Fritz Scheuermann, from 1935:
Oswald Lehnich, from 1939: Carl Froelich)
Reichsmusikkammer (National Chamber of Music), (Leader until 1935: the composer
Richard Strauss, after that: Peter Raabe)
Reichstheaterkammer (National Chamber of Theater), (Leader until 1935: Otto Laubinger,
from 1935: Rainer Schloesser, from 1938: Ludwig Koener, from 1942: Paul Hartmann)
Reichspressekammer (National Chamber of the Press), (Leader: Max Amann)
Reichsrundfunkkammer (National Chamber of Radio) disbanded 10-28-39, (leader: Horst
Dressler-Andress)
Reichskammer der bildenden Kuenste (National Chamber of Art), (Leader: Adolf Zieler)
The following are some examples of the various documents by section. There was a wide variety of styles and colors. See volumes I and III of our book series for further information and examples.
The first ID pictured was issued to Fritz Heuring in 1938. He was a bookseller and member of the Reichsschrifttumskammer. The second was created for Hitler Youth member Friedrich Wantschek when he was 16 years old. It records his courses and grades during his three-year apprenticeship in the bookselling trade.
Hedwig von Duecker was an actress and member of the Reichsfilmkammer. Her ID was issued in 1937. The second ID is a preliminary membership card for Thesy Heihs, who was a walk-on actress. The last two IDs were issued to Fritz and Anni Haase. Made of green oilcloth, both show that they were the owners of the "Capitol" cinema.
Kurt Klopsch was a member of the Reichsmusikkammer and was a background musician. These musicians typically played in bars and restaurants. Arthur Marquard was a music publisher.
Rosa Arlet was an artiste and member of the Reichstheaterkammer. Her stage name was "Roselly." This ID was housed in red hard-cover and also recorded her employers, one of which was the Sarrasan Circus. Paul-Heinz Boettcher, seen center, was a member of the NS-Buehne, which was designed for students and amateurs. Alfred Hermann's ID was issued in 1934 and shows that he a member of the Fachschaft Buehne (stage), a sub-specialty within the Reichstheaterkammer.
Wilhelm Bretag was a member of the Reichsverband der deutschen Presse, which was absorbed by the Reichspressekammer. He was an editor and restricted to working on illustrated technical magazines. An interesting feature of the press ID is that it had provision for recording a pseudonym, frequently used by reporters, which was entered and had to be endorsed by the police as a security measure.
Johanne Mueller was a member of the Reichstheaterkammer. In addition, she was authorized by the Reichsrundfunkkammer to sing songs and opera as an alto on the radio.
Curt Werneburg was a member of Reichskammer der bildenden Kuenste and was listed as an art dealer. Leopold Kastner was a sculptor whose ID was housed in black hard-cover.
