BMW has a long-standing commitment to contemporary art. In 1972, three large-size paintings commissioned by the BMW Group, “Red”, “Yellow” and “Blue”, were completed by the artist Gerhard Richter specifically for the new foyer of the company headquarters in Munich. Karl Schwanzer’s architectural post-war icon, the “four cylinder” building, marked the beginning of the company’s emphasis on an innovative, dynamic style of construction. now almost priceless works of art, was only the beginning. In order to lure qualified staff for a new plant outside of Munich, partnerships were established with museums and theatres for ticket allocations at reduced prices and special performances. At the Munich location, one of the first public private partnerships in Germany was jointly initiated by BMW and the city, promoting international arts. BMW also sponsored “The Art of the Motorcycle” – the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum’s celebrated exhibit that explored the motorcycle as both cultural icon and design and technical achievement – for the opening of the new Guggenheim Las Vegas Museum.

Architecture is of equal importance to BMW as the fine arts. On March 22, 2002, an international panel of judges declared Zaha Hadid Architects, London, winners of the architecture competition to design the central building of the new BMW Leipzig Plant. After presenting her building concept at the Venice Architecture Exhibition, Zaha Hadid was selected as the winner of the Pritzker Architecture award in 2004. The central building concentrates and distributes all significant flows of movement within the plant.

In Leipzig, BMW awarded grants to international artists since 2008 such as the prize of the National galerie Berlin, the “Prix BMW” at the Paris Photo and the “Premio de Pintura,” which was awarded by BMW and the Spanish Crown in Madrid. BMW has sponsored or is present at some of the most prestigious art exhibitions such as Art Basel, Art Basel Miami Beach, the Frieze Art Fair in London and the FIAC in Paris.