Baden-Baden's Kunsthalle welcomes its latest director, who hails from Karlsruhe
In an exciting turn of events, the Kunsthalle Baden-Baden, a renowned cultural institution in Baden-Baden, is set for a new era. Eckart Köhne, the Scientific Director at the Badisches Landesmuseum, and Susanne Schulenburg, its Commercial Director, will be taking over the leadership roles at both institutions.
The change comes as the Kunsthalle Baden-Baden prepares for a temporary move due to its upcoming renovation, a process expected to last five years. During this period, the Badisches Landesmuseum will move into the Kunsthalle Baden-Baden, offering a unique opportunity for both institutions to collaborate.
Two exhibitions are still planned for the Kunsthalle Baden-Baden: one with works by Mehtap Baydu and Egemen Demirci, opening on June 27, and "Selber Ort, andere Zeit" on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Künstlerbund Baden-Württemberg in October. After these exhibitions, the Badisches Landesmuseum, together with the team of the Kunsthalle, will develop its own program, with a focus on contemporary positions.
The dual leadership's arrival follows the expiration of the contract of the previous Kunsthallen director, Çagla Ilk, and the absence of information about the selection process for the new leadership. Despite the changes, there will continue to be a constructive cooperation between the Kunsthalle Baden-Baden and other cultural institutions and the civil society.
There were protests against the move, with concerns about losing a place for contemporary art. However, Kunststaatssekretär Arne Braun (Greens) has promised that contemporary art will continue to be presented in the Kunsthalle Baden-Baden.
It is worth noting that the Badisches Landesmuseum and the Kunsthalle Baden-Baden are separate entities, located in Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden. The latest exhibition at the Kunsthalle, Dora Budor’s "Inner Vampire," is running until June 9, 2024, but no announcements or plans beyond that, specifically related to management and venue changes, have been made public.
For the most current and precise details, it is recommended to consult Kunsthalle Baden-Baden’s official website or press releases, as they typically announce leadership transitions and upcoming exhibition programs directly. The exhibition program already worked out for 2026 at the Kunsthalle Baden-Baden will remain in place.
The future of the Kunsthalle Baden-Baden under its new leadership remains an exciting prospect for art enthusiasts and the local community alike. With the dual leadership's combined expertise and the promise of continued support for contemporary art, the institution is poised to continue its role as a significant player in the cultural landscape of Baden-Baden.
[1] Artforum [2] The Art Newspaper
The upcoming residence of the Badisches Landesmuseum in the Kunsthalle Baden-Baden creates a unique platform for home-and-garden collaboration in the realms of art and culture. The changing leadership at the Kunsthalle Baden-Baden invites renewed discussion about its lifestyle as a gallery space.
