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Statutes of the Saxon Academy of the Arts
The text of the Statutes was devised in 1992/93 by the founding committee of the Saxon Academy of the Arts. It was deliberated at the first members’ assembly of the Academy on 29 February 1996 and passed at the second (constituent) members’ assembly on 6 May 1996 in the version printed here.
Preamble
Guided by the desire, in the reflection of the arts to acquire images of present and past which are committed to a humane future and, drawing on the strengths of the Saxon area of culture, to promote ideas based on this on how German culture in its international interaction can contribute to societal cooperation, the Saxon Academy of the Arts devised these Statutes in the sixth year of the reestablishment of the Free State of Saxony and the reunification of the German state, based on the law passed by Saxony’s state parliament on 24 May 1994.
§1
(1) The Saxon Academy of the Arts is an association of artists and art theorists. It represents freedom and artistic sophistication to state and society and familiarises the public with important and contemporary artistic achievements.
(2) For the promotion of its objectives, the Academy maintains contacts to other art societies and to individuals.
§ 2
(1) Artists or art theorists who are German citizens can be elected as regular Academy members. The election is an expression of the appreciation of their work. The majority of regular members should have connections with the Saxon cultural area, either by origin or work.
(2) Artists and art theorists who are citizens of other countries can be elected as corresponding members of the Academy.
§ 3
(1) The regular and corresponding members are elected by secret ballot by the members’ assembly by suggestion of the responsible faculty with a two-thirds majority of the present, regular members. Every person eligible to vote has two votes. If he votes “yes”, he gives the candidate both votes. If he votes “no”, he gives the candidate no votes. If he votes “undecided”, he gives the candidate one vote. The candidate elected is the candidate whose number of votes is at least two-thirds of double the number of people participating in the election. The membership commences with the issuance of written acceptance.
(2) Member elections are held every two years. Justified recommendations for the election of new members can be made by all members of the Academy to the faculties who vote on nominees by secret ballot. These recommendations must be made at least two months before the members’ assembly. The nominations of the faculties must be submitted to the regular members at least one month before the members’ assembly.
(3) By suggestion of a member and with the agreement of the Senate, people who have particularly excelled culturally can be elected as honorary members. The election is held by secret ballot with a two-thirds majority of the members’ assembly. Honorary members do not belong to any of the faculties. The honorary membership commences with the issuance of written acceptance of the vote.
§ 4
(1) Every member is entitled to resign from the Academy. The decision to give up one’s membership must be declared in writing to the President.
(2) A member can be expelled due to repeated violation of the spirit of the association by application of the responsible faculty. In this event, a resolution must be passed by the members’ assembly with a two-thirds majority of the present regular members. Prior to this vote, which must be open and by roll-call, the member in question must be given the opportunity to make a statement.
§ 5
All negotiations on resolutions of the members’ assembly, of the faculties and of the Senate, particularly with regard to voting procedures, must be treated by members with confidentiality and may not be disclosed to the public.
§ 6
(1) Members’ assemblies are held at least once a year. They are called by the President.
(2) Extraordinary members’ assemblies are to be called if the Senate so decides or if one-third of the regular members so demands in writing.
§ 7
(1) The members’ assembly decides on the election of the President and the Vice-President, the election of the regular members, the election of the honorary members, the election of the corresponding members, the expulsion of members, the Statutes and the allocation of the budget. It is responsible for accepting notices of resignation of the President and Vice-President.
(2) The President issues written invitations to a members’ assembly at least eight weeks in advance; he simultaneously announces the agenda.
(3) The members’ assembly constitutes a quorum once it has been proven that all members have received proper invitations and that at least one-third of regular members are present. In the event of the absence of a quorum, the President again issues written invitations to the members’ assembly at least four weeks in advance. The subsequent assembly constitutes a quorum, once it has been proven that proper invitations have been issued and regardless of the number of members present.
(4) As long as the Statutes do not state otherwise, the members’ assembly can make a decision by a simple majority of the members present. In the event of parity of votes, the President’s vote is decisive. The agenda can be changed by resolution of the members’ assembly before the beginning of the meeting.
§ 8
(1) The President represents the Academy in and out of court. The Academy’s office reports back to him. He holds the members’ assemblies and the meetings of the Senate and is responsible for the execution of their resolutions.
(2) In cooperation with the Senate, the President ensures proper working procedures of the Academy and its employees within the framework of the law on the Academy and its Statutes.
(3) If the President is unable to attend, he shall be represented by the Vice-President. If both are unable to attend, the oldest member of the Senate shall be in charge of the presidential business.
(4) President and Vice-President were elected individually by secret ballot without a discussion by the members’ assembly. Both must be regular members of the Academy. All members are entitled to make suggestions. The members’ assembly elects an election supervisor who is responsible for the election of the President and Vice-President.
(5) For both the period of office begins with the election and ends with the re-election at the members’ assembly in the third to next calendar year or prematurely in the event of resignation or death.
(6) The President and the Vice-President may only give notice of resignation to the members’ assembly.
§ 9
(1) The Academy has the following faculties, in alphabetical order: Architecture, Literature and Language Maintenance, Music, Performing Art and Film and Plastic Art.
(2) Each faculty should have no more than twenty regular and eight corresponding members.
(3) The Secretary of a faculty and the Vice-Secretary shall be elected by the regular members of the faculty by secret ballot. They may not simultaneously hold the office of President or Vice-President. Their period of office is three years.
(4) Faculty meetings are held at least twice a year. They are called and held by the Faculty Secretary and written invitations are issued four weeks in advance.
§ 10
(1) The Senate of the Academy consists of the President, the Vice-President and the faculty secretaries.
(2) The Senate is called immediately by the President at his discretion or by a written application of at least three of its members.
(3) The Senate constitutes a quorum if at least four of its members are present. Decisions are made by simple majority of those present. In the event of parity of votes, the President’s vote is decisive.
(4) The Senate is responsible for the financial management of the Academy. Any incoming funds are at the disposition of the Senate in accordance with the resolutions of the members’ assembly.
(5) Under the supervision of the President, the Senate is responsible for the work of the Academy, including its events. The President reports back to the members’ assembly on behalf of the Senate on the work carried out.
(6) With the agreement of the Senate, the President appoints a Presidential Secretary as manager of the Academy office. The Presidential Secretary, who may not be a member of the Academy, attends the meetings of the Senate in an advisory capacity. He is answerable to the Senate for the operation of the budget.
§ 11
(1) The Statutes of the Academy shall be passed by the members’ assembly with a two-thirds majority of the present regular members. They require the approval of the Saxon State Ministry of Science and Arts.
(2) Changes to the Statutes require a two-thirds majority of the present regular members of the members’ assembly.
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