The Albertina Museum in Vienna has successfully acquired a contemporary art triptych for €360,000 through proceeds from its annual fundraising dinner. The acquisition marks the first major purchase under the leadership of Ralph Gleis, who became the museum's general director in January and hosted his inaugural fundraising event on September 9.
Gleis completed his first fundraising dinner with remarkable success, raising the substantial sum of €360,000 for the museum's contemporary art acquisition program. The event represents a continuation of a longstanding tradition at the Albertina, where proceeds from the annual fundraising dinner are exclusively dedicated to purchasing contemporary artworks for the museum's collection.
The museum has maintained this practice for several years, with each year's fundraising efforts directly supporting the expansion of its contemporary art holdings. Under Gleis's new leadership, this tradition continues to flourish, demonstrating the museum's ongoing commitment to acquiring significant works by contemporary artists.
Among the recent acquisitions made possible through previous fundraising efforts is a work titled "Waltz" by American artist Tschabalala Self, which was purchased from Galerie Eva Presenhuber. This piece exemplifies the type of contemporary artwork the Albertina seeks to add to its collection through its annual fundraising initiatives.
The success of Gleis's first fundraising dinner indicates strong continued support from donors and patrons for the Albertina's mission to expand its contemporary art collection. The substantial amount raised will enable the museum to pursue significant acquisitions that will enhance its offerings to visitors and contribute to Vienna's cultural landscape.
