In 1963 the Galerie im Taxispalais opened as the non commercial, public gallery for contemporary international art of the State of Tyrol.

From 1963 to 1999, Galerie im Taxispalais was run by a commitee of artists and art historians in one of the oldest Baroque Nobel’s palaces in the inner city of Innsbruck. After an extensive renovation it reopened again in 1999 under new management. Architects Hanno Schlšgl and Daniel SŸ§ successfully renovated the historical building in 1999 and adapted additional exhibition space. They were awarded the Austrian “Bauherrn” prize for their work.

As a publicly funded institution, Galerie im Taxispalais’ main objective is to cultivate knowledge and understanding of contemporary art. The Gallery provides the opportunity to encounter and experience high quality, relevant and internationally recognized art. Through the production of collaborative exhibitions with international contemporary art institutions, Galerie im Taxispalais is able to expand the presence of the gallery.

Galerie im Taxispalais is run like a Kunsthalle, presenting a rotating exhibition program focused on Austrian and international contemporary artists, and thematic group shows. Group shows allow the opportunity to focus on current cultural, social or political topics, or to unravel art historical developments of particular media (as in, Anonymous Sculptures) or topics (such as, Eating the Universe. Food in Art).

Most outstanding projects in recent years:

Thomas Scheibitz, 2010.

“Eating the Universe. Food in Art” 2010.

Claudia & Julia MŸller, 2009.

“There is no border, there is no border…” 2007.

“Voice & Void” 2008.

Galerie im Taxispalais expands its exhibition program through a diverse public program that includes artist talks, book presentations, multidisciplinary lectures, film screenings, concerts, discussions and collaborations with contemporary art and film institutions in the city of Innsbruck. The program attempts to clarify the exhibition content and presents new perspectives on art, aiming to widen topics and events and satisfy interdisciplinary audiences. A public reading room allows for independent study on subjects related to exhibition topics and more general subjects in art and culture.

Exhibitions are accompanied by artist talks and catalogue presentations. Talks and lectures by artists, scientists, critics or curators strengthen and open up the discourse on exhibition related topics and bring in new socially and culturally related research or issues of visual culture. The LeseRAUM (reading room) offers a rich selection of about 40 inter/national magazines, 7,500 exhibition catalogues (monographs / group shows) and art publications.

Artist talks: 6, lectures: 3+, performances: 6 +, book presentations: 6 +, film screenings: 10+, concert: 1+, etc.

A team of art mediators provide an educational program that widens the distribution and production of knowledge related to contemporary art and exhibitions. Each exhibition presents an accompanying mediation program, aimed at independent visitors as well as groups of children, school classes, adolescents, university students, adults, senior citizens and teachers.

Free art information Sunday’s offer visitors the opportunity to talk with education mediators about exhibitions. Guided tours and curator talks provide more focused information. Special programs such as art & coffee for senior visitors, and children’s workshops are meeting points through which to learn about exhibitions and create works that refer to the medium and techniques in the exhibitions on view.

The educational program offers workshops and tours for teachers to provide them with information that can be passed on to their pupils in and outside of the exhibition. A teachers association encourages the meeting and sharing of teaching ideas with the art mediators. School classes can participate in workshops with art mediators, or meet individually with education leaders to learn how to lead other classes of students their age through exhibitions.

Events per year: Educational: 126 + in total (art information: 40, guided tours: 70, senior program: 6, kids program: 10). Academic: 60 +.

5 – 6 exhibition catalogues each year.

The Galerie im Taxispalais is conprised of two levels totaling 1,400 sq. meters, 500 sq. meters of which are used for exhibitions. In addition to the five gallery spaces, is a public reading room with international art and cultural publications along with a small cafŽ-bar used for exhibition openings.

Exhibition space, 500 m2; offices, 80.5 m2; cafŽ-bar, 46 m2; lobby = lecture hall, 125m2; reading room, 22 m2; storage and service facilities, 626 m2.