news release

Acoustiguide GmbH won a highly competitive bid to develop audio programs for the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, also known as the Dresden State Art Collections. Dresden, designated a World Heritage Site, was regarded one of Europe's cultural centers before it was bombed to virtual destruction during World War II. The restoration and re-opening of Dresden's 12 state collections signifies the city's renaissance as a tourist destination. To cater to the anticipated visitors, each museum will offer an Acoustiguide audio tour in 9 languages with the price of admission.

The opening of the "New Green Vaults," the imperial treasure chambers, on September 8, 2004, marks the first phase of public access in the re-erected Dresden Palace. Established between 1723-1729 by the Saxon-Polish Elector King August the Strong, the famous Green Vaults house the royal jewelry and goldsmith art collected during the King's lifetime. This world renowned collection is currently on view at the Mississippi Center for International Cultural Exchange, accompanied by Adult and Family audio programs by Acoustiguide. The royal collection of ivory, stone carvings and bronze figurines attracts more than a half-million visitors a year.

The 12 Dresden State Art Collections include:

Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister - The best-known museum of the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden and home to Raphael's Sistine Madonna, is the Old Masters Picture Gallery in the Semper building adjoining the Zwinger.

Galerie Neue Meister - The New Masters Picture Gallery in the Albertinum building holds important works from the Romantic period to the present day.

Grünes Gewölbe - Currently houses the Grünes Gewölbe (Green Vault), the world famous German collection of more than 3,000 works of applied arts.

Kupferstich-Kabinett - Features 500,000 prints and drawings from six centuries. (Main focus: Old German and Dutch engravings: Van Eyck, Rembrandt, Rubens, Dürer).

Münzkabinett - A collection of more than 300,000 coins, one of the biggest collections in Europe.

Mathematisch-Physikalischer Salon - Famous collection of historic watches and science instruments, including globes and astronomic instruments.

Rüstkammer - World-famous collection of weapons and decorative armament.

Porzellansammlung - The largest, most comprehensive collection of ceramics in the world. More than 500,000 objects of Chinese, Japanese and Meißen porcellan.

Museum für Sächsische Volkskunst - Arts and Crafts from Saxony and other regional traditions.

Puppentheatersammlung - One of the largest and most important collections of puppet theatres in the world. Over 50,000 objects from Germany, Europe and Asia.

Kunstgewerbemuseum - Situated in Schloß Pillnitz, a baroque castle, the museum displays high-quality arts and crafts from the Saxonian and international courts from over five centuries.

Skulpturensammlung - Sculptures from over five millenniums, from antique sculptures from the Mediterranean to all epochs of European sculpture.