The Universalmuseum Joanneum is considered the biggest of its kind in Central Europe. About 4,9 million items in the collections form the basis of a richly faceted ‘universal’ exhibition and events schedule. A programme of exhibitions and events at twelve locations throughout Styria transmit a unique panorama of science, art and culture.

Since the collections were owned from the first by the government of Styria, the Joanneum was for a long time in the hands of the state administration.

In 2003, after thorough consideration, it was transformed in a not-for-profit limited company called Universalmuseum Joanneum GmbH, to maintain competitiveness within the international museum industry.

As of 1 January 2018, Wolfgang Muchitsch, PhD, and Alexia Getzinger, MAS, are directing Universalmuseum Joanneum GmbH.

To promote the global network of the company and especially to ensure a high-quality exhibition programme at the Kunsthaus Graz, partnerships with national and international museums and cultural institutions are proactively sought. The exhibition policy is to present all aspects of the permanent collections in a contemporary manner attractive to the public. A principal focus of attention is therefore to ensure that the various locations of the Museum work together as effectively as possible, and in doing so underline the unique character of the Universal Museum in all its diversity.

With the establishment of the Joanneum as a not-for-profit limited company, the Universal Museum has gained a greater degree of responsibility and autonomy in matters of staffing and budget. Nonetheless, the federal state of Styria is still the owner of the property and other assets in the Museum, just as intended by its founder Archduke Johann.

The ten museum departments - the pillars of the Universalmuseum Joanneum - work closely together with four service functions, which see themselves as service providers for all collections and museums.