Since 1994, SAP SE has shown publicly accessible art exhibitions in the Walldorf training center and set up its own collection of over 2,000 works. The art historian Alexandra Cozgarea has been responsible for art at SAP SE since 2008.

It is a cold day in February 2023 when Alexandra Cozgarea is in the WDF01 building alone. The conversion of the building should begin in a few days. Workplaces and meeting rooms have already been cleared, heating and water have been parked. But around 400 works of art still hang on the walls, which they have to depend, document and have them properly packed – a logistical masterpiece that shows the importance of art at SAP.

From Hasso Plattner’s vision to the Corporate Collection

The art collection at SAP goes back to co -founder Hasso Plattner, who himself Passionate art collector is. “He was the one who initiated the topic at SAP,” explains Alexandra Cozgarea. Until his departure from the operational business, Hasso Plattner decided in the election of the art for SAP. “Art was located in the board of directors at the time and was selected and acquired from there.”

But the company not only acquired its own works of art. Already in 1994/95 the first of 60 exhibitions so far took place in the Walldorf training center. The special thing: The exhibitions were open to the public right from the start – a conscious step to promote interest in art in the region and to stimulate exchange with SAP and the employees.

“We opened up to everyone who wanted to visit SAP,” emphasizes Cozgarea. “You can get into conversation well through art.” External visitors get an unusual insight into a technology company and can experience contemporary art at the same time.

Encounter between companies and society

The exhibitions create a special place of encounter. The vernissages meet an average of 400 to 600 visitors-around 30 percent SAP employees and 70 percent external guests. “The nice thing is that people come together and talk to each other,” explains Cozgarea. “Whether about art or other topics – art creates connections.”

These encounters extend over various target groups: school classes use the exhibitions for workshops, students from the Heidelberg Pedagogical University of Applied Sciences develop their own projects based on the topics shown and company groups include guided tours in their team days.

60 exhibitions: from South Africa to NFT art

Alexandra Cozgarea has curated almost 30 of the 60 art exhibitions at SAP since 2008. The range of topics ranges from social issues to technological developments. “I observe a lot, research and then contact artists: inside and/or institutions. Then mature ideas in which social issues and developments are in the foreground or who have a connection to SAP issues,” she describes her curatorial approach.

As one of the first companies worldwide, SAP realized, for example, in 2023, a NFT art exhibition entitled “Blockchain poetry“. The exhibition “Gretchen question 2.0 – How do you keep it with the virtual world?“From the same year, the topic of metavers devoted itself and is currently visible via the virtual tour. Design thinking methodsthat have been in use at SAP for many years, in the exhibitions “Fail Early and Often” and “From the Bauhaus to Apphaus“(Both 2019). Other exhibitions such as“Un Paseo de Arte Latino“(2016) and”South African Identities“(2018) beat the bridge to cultures and continents on which SAP is represented.

The exhibition program is currently in the hiatus, as new rooms are planned as part of a renovation of the training center. During this break, SAP uses digital formats: Virtual tours enable employees worldwide to experience the exhibitions online. “This is important,” says Alexandra, “because this way colleagues and external interested people can visit our exhibitions worldwide – not just on site in Walldorf.”

Art historian with a sense of corporate culture

Alexandra Cozgarea came to SAP via detours – or rather: Back to SAP. Already during her studies in art history and psychology in Heidelberg, she worked as a work student at SAP in the area of communications and supported the regional sponsorship for art projects. After completing her studies, she gained further experience in the corporate collecting at Heidelberg. “At that time we built up a very focused company collection – everything related to building and cement,” she recalls.

In 2008 the call came that changed her life. “You asked if I wanted to come back to the SAP. And I said: No, of course not – I only do art. It was said: That’s why!” At that time, SAP planned to professionalize his art program and to set up more structured. For this there was an independent, curative role.

Today Cozgarea moves between two worlds: the technology and art world. “I try to bring them together on topics and bridges.” This connection is the particular charm of your work for you.

More than decoration: art as an educational mission

For SAP, the focus is not on the investment value of the works of art, but the educational mandate and employee support. “The intention has always been to give something back to the employees and the region,” explains the curator.

The collection now includes over 2,000 works of art that are distributed through the German branches. Teams in Germany can borrow art for their offices and team rooms-a service that was originally reserved for top management, but is now open to everyone interested.

“It still works very personally, and the colleagues appreciate that,” says Cozgary. “They come to me, we choose something together, and then we organize the transport and hanging.” Many employees appreciate this little time -out from everyday work in order to choose a picture.

The 400 works of art from the WDF01 building, which is currently closed due to the renovation, in the depots of the training center are also waiting for their next use. One part is hung up again, but a lot will also be available to all employees for the first time.