Universalmuseum Joanneum

The Universalmuseum Joanneum is considered the biggest of its kind in Central Europe. About 4,7 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.

Since 16.10.2015, the operating company is run by Dr. Wolfgang Muchitsch. 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 Board of Trustees (Kuratorium) is a committee appointed by the Provincial Government of Styria, and its members are active in an honorary capacity.
• The Board of Trustees takes note of the interests of the Universal Joanneum and promotes them both conceptually and materially.
• The curators are committed to the founding concepts and goals of the Universal Joanneum. They ensure that the Universal Joanneum acts in accordance with its founding mission as an institution dedicated to collection, research and education.
• The Board of Trustees represents the interests of the Universal Joanneum in public and draws the attention of the museum’s management to the public’s needs.
• The Board of Trustees sees itself as a link between the museum and broader society.
• The Board of Trustees advises and supports the Provincial Government of Styria and the management. It is in direct contact with management. It sees itself as a Supervisory Board (Aufsichtsrat) in terms of ideas, its function being supportive rather than controlling in a business sense.
• The Support Associations (Fördervereine) of the Universalmuseum Joanneum are represented on the Board of Trustees in the interests of furthering initiatives.