KREMS.- Change is coming to the Landesgalerie Niederösterreich as Nikolaus Kratzer is set to become its new artistic director in January 2027. He will succeed Gerda Ridler, who has decided not to renew her five-year contract, despite a highly successful tenure that significantly boosted the gallery's profile.


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Kratzer, an accomplished art historian and curator, currently heads the Lower Austrian State Art Collection. His appointment signals a strategic move to unite the leadership of both the museum and the state's art collection. This dual role aims to seamlessly integrate the gallery's exhibitions with the extensive collection, promising a cohesive and long-term vision for future displays. Kratzer will maintain his current position while taking on his new responsibilities at the Landesgalerie. This integrated approach has already proven successful in other institutions within the NÖKU group, like the Roman City Carnuntum and the Museum Niederösterreich.


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A Vision for the Future

Nikolaus Kratzer plans to build on the strong foundation laid by Gerda Ridler, with a renewed focus on showcasing the region's art treasures. His deep familiarity with the institution, having co-curated four exhibitions on the Kunstmeile Krems, positions him well for this role.

"I am very much looking forward to taking over the artistic direction of the Landesgalerie Niederösterreich in 2027," Kratzer stated. "I want to continue the path Gerda Ridler has prepared for the institution and further develop the museum by more strongly integrating the collection."

A Glimpse at the New Director

Born in Scheibbs, Lower Austria, in 1988, Kratzer earned his doctorate in art history from the University of Vienna in 2020, specializing in photography and impressionism. His career includes serving as a research associate at the Center for Museum Collection Sciences at the University for Continuing Education Krems from 2014 to 2022.

Kratzer's curatorial experience is extensive. He co-curated notable exhibitions at the Landesgalerie Niederösterreich, including "Unterwegs. Reise in die Sammlung" and "Kunstschätze. Vom Barock bis zur Gegenwart." He also collaborated on a three-part exhibition series for the Arnulf Rainer Museum, celebrating the artist's 95th birthday.

Praises from Leadership

Julia Flunger-Schulz, operational managing director of Kunstmeile Krems Betriebs GmbH, lauded Ridler's impact: "Since 2022, Gerda Ridler has strengthened the Landesgalerie Niederösterreich with her distinctive curatorial approach. She has consistently opened the institution to new perspectives and sustainably intensified collaboration with artists, partner institutions, and the region." Flunger-Schulz expressed enthusiasm for Kratzer's appointment, describing him as a "strong, team-oriented, strategically thinking leader" with "profound knowledge in all core tasks of a contemporary museum operation."

Ridler's Legacy

Gerda Ridler's tenure, which began in 2022, has been marked by a vibrant curatorial vision that brought the Landesgalerie Niederösterreich national attention. Her ambitious exhibition program spanned centuries of Austrian art, from the Middle Ages to contemporary works. Notably, she spearheaded the touring exhibition "Kunstschätze. Vom Barock bis zur Gegenwart," showcasing Lower Austrian masterpieces beyond national borders for the first time. Ridler has also championed underrepresented artists, particularly women, and brought in spectacular installations by internationally renowned artists like Chiharu Shiota and Angela Glajcar. The current exhibition, "Flower Power. Eine Kulturgeschichte der Pflanzen," is a testament to her ability to draw in audiences.

"I look forward with joy to the next 18 months at the Landesgalerie Niederösterreich, during which my programmatic direction will become even more evident," said Ridler, wishing her successor all the best.


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