The Union of Art (German: Gewerkschaft Kunst) was a trade union representing art, media and heritage workers in East Germany.
The union was founded in 1949, when the Free German Trade Union Federation (FDGB) reorganised. The Union of Art and Literature was split up, with workers in theatre, film, television, orchestras, choirs, dance, cabaret, museums, memorials, palaces, gardens, and the visual arts, placed in the new Union of Stage, Art, Film and Music. It initially had 56,400 members. In 1951, it shortened its name to the "Union of Art".
In 1953, the presidency of the union was made an honorary position, with the actual leadership coming from the vice president: Walter Maschke until 1959, then Heinz Schnabel until 1971, and Herbert Bischoff. In 1975, the presidency ceased being honorary, with Bischoff being promoted to it.
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