Heidi Horten Collection Names Verena Kaspar-Eisert as New Director

Heidi Horten Collection Names Verena Kaspar-Eisert as New Director

A clay sculpture of a dog displayed on a table in a museum with a wall in the background.

Heidi Horten Collection Names Verena Kaspar-Eisert as New Director

The Heidi Horten Collection has appointed Verena Kaspar-Eisert as its new director. She replaces Agnes Husslein-Arco and plans to bring a fresh, contemporary approach to the museum's vision. The institution, founded by Heidi Horten, opened in Vienna in June 2022 and has since attracted over 330,000 visitors. Verena Kaspar-Eisert, born in 1981 in Vorarlberg, takes over after moving from the MuseumsQuartier to the Hanuschhof. Her priorities include expanding the collection's accessibility and highlighting female perspectives in both exhibits and programming. She also intends to develop the collection strategically, with potential news acquisitions funded by the Heidi Goess-Horten Foundation, which provides a flexible budget without spending pressure. One of her key initiatives involves deepening provenance research on around 150 works in the collection. So far, 60% of these pieces have yielded verified findings. The museum's spring exhibition, Animalia, explores the relationship between animals and humans through over 100 artworks. As part of the event, live portraits of visitors' dogs will be created on April 18. The collection itself traces back to Heidi Horten, whose wealth originated from her first husband's fortune, accumulated under the Nazi regime. Since its opening, the museum has seen steady growth, with 115,000 visitors recorded in 2025 alone. Under Kaspar-Eisert's leadership, the Heidi Horten Collection is set to evolve with a stronger focus on contemporary themes and transparency. The expanded provenance research and upcoming news reflect her commitment to engaging audiences in new ways. The museum's future direction will balance its historical roots with modern curatorial practices.

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