About us
Mission
Museion is the museum for modern and contemporary art in Bolzano. At our core, we are committed to fostering international art, culture and innovation in South Tyrol. In an ever-evolving county-wide urban environment we strive to enhance the quality of cosmopolitan living and leisure, cultivating both creative vitality and critical thinking. We believe that our cultural heritage isn’t set in stone; it’s a dynamic force, constantly evolving through conversations with artists, thinkers, and creators, and guided by a foundation of inclusive civic values. This is reflected in our exhibitions, in the collection and in the public formats.
Museion serves society by collecting, preserving, researching, interpreting and exhibiting tangible and intangible cultural heritage. Our audience spans the globe, with an unwavering focus on building meaningful relationships with artists. We aim to set a pioneering example for a contemporary museum model, one that evolves to align with the ever-changing social dynamics of our times. Simultaneously, we uphold our vision of sustainability, aiming to be an agent of growth and empowerment, while also being a significant employer where every team member plays a pivotal role.
Stay informed on Museion’s exhibitions, events, projects and much more –– subscribe to our monthly Newsletter here
The Collection
The Museion collection was established at the end of the 1980s and currently features around 4,400 works. It is the result of a targeted policy of acquisitions, loans and donations and in collaboration with private collections.
Library
The library conserves around 30,000 catalogs and monographs, 800 rare and artists’ books, and 30 subscriptions to international journals.
Museion Team
Museion Foundation
Since 2006 Museion is a foundation of private law that includes the Autonomous Province of Bolzano-South Tyrol and the Museion Private Founders (formerly the Museion Association).
In 1987 Museion began its activities in the former hospital building in Via Sernesi, under the direction of Pier Luigi Siena and the presidency of Karl Nicolussi-Leck. In 2000, Alois Lageder took over as president, and the vision of a museum as a place for discussion and a workshop for producing artworks grew over time. Under the direction of Andreas Hapkemeyer (2000 - 2006) the museum initiated a focus on linguistic structures in art.
In 2007, a year after the founding was established, Corinne Diserens was appointed director of the Museion Foundation. During her directorship, the museum moved to its new home in Via Dante, designed by the Berlin-based architectural firm KSV - Krüger Schubert Vandreike. The new building, a visually striking piece of architecture with large transparent façades that connect the old and new parts of the city, opened in May 2008. From the end of 2008 to May 2020, Letizia Ragaglia directed the Museion Foundation. In 2010, the Province of Bolzano appointed the art historian and curator, Marion Piffer Damiani, President of the Foundation. In June 2020, the art historian Bart van der Heide took over as director.
In accordance with its statutes, one of the key goals of Museion is to promote and highlight contemporary art from the 1950s onwards. The institution acts as a meeting point for international art and a means of support for South Tyrolean art.
Museion Private Founders
In addition to the general activities of Museion, the Museion Private Founders (MPF) support in particular the realisation of Museion Art Club, by providing networks between the creative sector and private entrepreneurship in South Tyrol.