Nicolaus Schafhausen resigns from Kunsthalle Wien, citing nationalist politics in Austria

Nicolaus Schafhausen, the German curator and director of Kunsthalle Wien in Austria, will step down in March 2019, ending his tenure that began in 2012. He attributed his departure to the resurgence of nationalist politics in Austria and across Europe, stating that cultural institutions engaging with complex societal challenges require stronger political backing. Schafhausen reached an agreement with the City of Vienna for early contract dissolution, originally set to expire in 2022. In a public letter on Kunsthalle Wien's website, he reflected on over 40 exhibitions under his leadership, highlighting an innovative program addressing aesthetic and socio-political concerns. He noted that projects like Political Populism and How To Live Together positioned the institution internationally, while solo exhibitions by Florian Hecker and Ydessa Hendeles exemplified its radical diversity. Schafhausen expressed pride in the institution's role as an open forum, though it faced opposition due to its political stance. He plans to pursue new challenges beyond conventional institutions after supporting the transition through 2018. Forthcoming exhibitions overseen by him include Kate Newby's I can’t nail the days down opening September 2, 2018, Olaf Nicolai's There Is No Place Before Arrival from July 13 to October 7, 2018, and a solo exhibition by Annette Kelm curated by Schafhausen opening in December 2018.