A new wind for the Kunsthalle: Stefanie Böttcher becomes director!

A new wind for the Kunsthalle: Stefanie Böttcher becomes director!

A fresh wind is blowing through the Kunsthalle zu Kiel: Stefanie Böttcher will take over the management of the renowned institute in September 2026. She follows Dr. Anette Hüsch, who has managed the house in recent years. Böttcher brings with her impressive expertise that she acquired as an art historian and curator at the Kunsthalle Mainz and other institutions. She looks forward to the challenges ahead with great enthusiasm, especially in light of the extensive renovation of the Kunsthalle, which has been closed since September 25, 2023 due to necessary renovation work. According to uni-kiel.de, construction work is expected to be completed in 2029.

The extensive renovation, for which a total of around 49.5 million euros will be made available, is not only a measure to preserve the historic building, but also to ensure that the art gallery meets national and international requirements for the presentation and storage of cultural assets. kunsthalle-kiel.de explains that the federal government and the state of Schleswig-Holstein are investing together in this important project. Around 30 million euros come from the state's IMPULS infrastructure modernization program, while the federal government approved funding of almost 19.5 million euros from the "Investments in nationally important cultural institutions in Germany" program.

Important location for art and culture

The Kunsthalle zu Kiel, which is closely linked to the Christian Albrechts University, plays an important role in the cultural life of Schleswig-Holstein. Its collection includes important works from the 19th century, expressionism and international contemporary art. Culture Minister Karin Prien emphasizes how important the Kunsthalle is as a cultural anchor point for the region. This view is supported by Prof. Dr. Dirk Westerkamp, ​​Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, supported Böttcher's appointment.

According to information from kunsthalle-kiel.de, the art gallery will not be forgotten during the closure period. Numerous programs are planned in cooperation with the Schleswig-Holstein Art Association, which will continue to bring the Kunsthalle into public awareness. In addition, restoration measures, the digitization of the collection and provenance research are being promoted.

A look into the future

The renovation is part of the IMPULS program, which has been supporting numerous infrastructure projects in Schleswig-Holstein since 2015. kulturstaatsminister.de emphasizes that the funding aims to strengthen the cultural infrastructure and create equal conditions for all regions in Germany. Art lovers can look forward to a newly designed art gallery that not only honors tradition, but also offers space for innovation.

With Stefanie Böttcher at the helm, a new chapter is beginning at the Kunsthalle zu Kiel. Their vision to reposition the seaside location as a vibrant place for art, research and the public will certainly be exciting to watch. The coming years promise to be an exciting journey towards the reopening of the Kunsthalle.