Vienna's Theater Museum to Remain Shuttered Until the Fall of 2026
The Theater Museum in Litschau is set for a significant transformation, with a renovation project approved and funded to the tune of 5.5 million euros. The museum, founded in 1991, will temporarily halt its regular operations during the renovation phase, slated to last until the autumn of 2026.
The Renovation Plan
The renovation aims to position the Theater Museum as a vibrant, inclusive, and forward-looking cultural hub. The ground floor will be redesigned as an "experience, event, and action space", while the infrastructure of the cloakrooms and shop will be modernized. A second entrance via the Augustinerstraße will be added, and the museum will become barrier-free, improving accessibility for all visitors.
The children's workshop and science section will receive an upgrade, with interactive exhibits and workshops designed to educate and engage. The science section will also incorporate technology to explore the scientific aspects of theater, such as lighting and sound technology.
Cultural Mediation Program
During the renovation phase, a diverse cultural mediation program will be implemented. This includes talks with key figures in the theater landscape, exhibition cooperation with the Burgtheater, and workshops for children and young people. The program aims to keep the community engaged and informed about the progress and goals of the renovation.
Temporary Measures
To maintain engagement with the community during the renovation, temporary exhibitions or events will be hosted off-site. Behind-the-scenes tours or workshops will also be offered to keep the public informed about the progress of the renovation.
The Johann Strauss exhibition, a joint venture with the Wienbibliothek im Rathaus, attracted over 40,000 visitors before its closure on August 17, 2022. The museum gastronomy has been cancelled during the renovation phase, but a detailed and specific plan, including the purpose or nature of the "Hin & weg" festival in Litschau, was not provided.
Franz Pichorner, the new director, stated that the renovation will create the conditions for the Theater Museum to be a place of encounter, education, and inspiration. Jonathan Fine, the General Director, added that the Palais Lobkowitz will be functionally upgraded and rethought in terms of content during the renovation.
The Theater Museum has been part of the Kunsthistorisches Museum since 2001. After the end of the Johann Strauss exhibition, the museum will remain closed until autumn 2026, when it will reopen as a transformed, modern, and accessible cultural institution.
In the interim of the museum's renovation, the home-and-garden sector will witness a temporary transition as the Theater Museum becomes an outdoor-living venue, hosting off-site events and exhibitions. Amid this transformation, the lifestyle of the museum will continue to promote arts and culture, aligning with its vision as a vibrant and inclusive cultural hub.
