The Stapferhaus in Lenzburg, Switzerland, was founded in 1960 as a place for encounters and intellectual debate.
The Stapferhaus was founded by the representatives of Pro Helvetia, Pro Argovia, the Canton Aargau and the City of Lenzburg. It was named for Philipp Albert Stapfer (1766–1840), who is considered the founder of the Canton of Aargau. Today Sybille Lichtensteiger is the director of the Stapferhaus. She is responsible for the strategy, setting the themes and the programme. [1] Sybille Lichtensteiger studied History and German studies in Zurich and Berlin and started working at the Stapferhaus 20 years ago. [2]
In 1960 the Stapferhaus was opened in Lenzburg castle and hosted conferences and debates there for about 30 years. In 1994, its first exhibition was Anne Frank and us, done under the direction of Hans Ulrich Garner.
From 2002–2018 the Stapferhaus showed its exhibitions at the Zeughaus in Lenzburg, while its offices were still located in Lenzburg castle.
In 2018 the Stapferhaus took up its first permanent home close to Lenzburg railway station, which is now used for both exhibition spaces and offices. The first exhibition in the new building, from 2018 until 2020, was FAKE. And the Office for the Whole Truth. The flexible building is designed to be constantly remodelled, which makes the architecture special. Stairs and walls in the building can be shifted, the floors can be opened, and the façade and forecourt can be changed and re-designed.
The Stapferhaus Foundation has operated the Stapferhaus, one of Canton Aargau's eleven cultural flagships, since 2007.
The Stapferhaus is financed on a project basis, with financial requirements dependent on the rhythm and size of the respective project. As an institution of national significance, the Stapferhaus is financed by public funds and its own operating income. It also relies on the support of foundations, private partners and sponsors. In recent years the Stapferhaus Foundation has been one of the largest recipients of money from the Lottery Fund. [3]
The Stapferhaus Foundation board is responsible for the strategic orientation of the cultural institution and securing its funding and determining the management of the institution. The board determines its roles and responsibilities itself, but the Canton of Aargau and the City of Lenzburg have a representative in the board. The canton also appoints the chair of the foundation.
With its large thematic exhibitions, the Stapferhaus tries to deal with current issues. The goal is for visitors to share their knowledge and experiences and to confront their own perspectives.
Until mid–May 2022, the Stapferhaus has an exhibition about Gender and Sex.
In 2020 the Stapferhaus won the European Museum of the Year Award for the flexibility of its building and its exhibition work. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the awards ceremony had to happen virtually. The museum was acknowledged as a laboratory for the art of living, and its approach was called innovative, creative and future-oriented. [4] The Stapferhaus has won or been nominated for several other awards over the years:
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