Austrian Association of Cultural Mediators in Museums and Exhibitions

The Austrian Association of Cultural Mediators in Museums and Exhibitions was founded in 1991 and serves as a common platform for all those engaged in the field of communication with the visitors of cultural institutions and organisations. The name reflects the development of our agenda which has come a long way from exclusively working with school groups in museums to employing innovative methods and strategies directed at the most diverse groups of visitors and individuals. The Association is an independent organisation working within Austria, and relates to Austrian and international museums organisations, especially to the parallel organisations in Germany and Switzerland. The annual general meeting is held in conjunction with a seminar. In 2005 the Association for the first time was invited to take part in the programming for the Austrian Museums' Day (a yearly event inviting all Austrian museums).

The Association is involved in the development of the profession and the discussion and furthering of related issues, as for example conditions of work and payment. Among these are, lobbying and informing the public and politicians on these matters, on the social situation, the tasks and challenges for those represented.

Presently the Association is made up of 90 ordinary members working in the field of cultural communication, free lance, as well as contract and employed. The Association offers a forum for discussion of common issues, information on job openings, seminars, courses, publications and information exchange on a regular basis. On application, and after passing the requirements and criteria set out by a commission staffed of respected members of the Association, a certificate ('zertifizierte KulturvermittlerIn') can be granted. Membership is extended to all working in the field. It guarantees free entry in 65 museums in Austria, Liechtenstein and Südtirol (Alto Adige, Italy). The executive board of the Austrian Association of Cultural Mediators in Museums and Exhibitions presently is made up of 3 persons. All functions within the Association are honorary.

History

A report on cultural mediation in Austria and the work of the Association since its foundation was presented in the course of the CECA conference 2007 in Vienna the Austrian Association of Cultural Mediators in Museums and Exhibitions. This report is published in the ICOM/CECA'07-Conference publication. (read more)

Board Members

Brigitte Hauptner, Chairwoman
Claudia Peschel-Wacha, Deputy- Chairwoman
Stefanie van Felten , Treasurer
Hannah Landsmann, Secretary
Heidrun-Ulrike Wenzel, Deputy-Secretary

Contact

verband@kulturvermittlerinnen.at