The Göttingen Art Gallery (Kunsthaus Göttingen) has appointed Holger Fricke, a former design professor at HAWK University, as its new managing director. Fricke will officially take over operations on November 1, 2025, as the municipal institution continues working to emerge from insolvency proceedings that have been ongoing since early this year.
The appointment of Fricke represents a crucial step in stabilizing the struggling art institution, which has been operating under insolvency protection while seeking to restructure its finances and operations. Mayor Petra Broistedt, who serves as chairwoman of the gallery's supervisory board, expressed strong confidence in the decision, stating that Fricke has received broad support from board members.
Fricke replaces Kai Osterhorn, who has been serving as interim managing director on a volunteer basis while navigating the gallery through its financial difficulties. Osterhorn successfully managed the resumption of operations during the insolvency proceedings and laid the groundwork for the institution's future recovery. His departure is due to professional commitments in his primary career.
The new managing director brings significant expertise in both art and business management to the position. Fricke, who has lived in Göttingen with his family for five years, previously held a design and creative arts professorship at HAWK University in Hildesheim for a decade. Like his predecessor, Fricke will work on a volunteer basis, planning to dedicate approximately 20 hours per week to his duties at the gallery.
The insolvency proceedings, which were originally expected to conclude in June, are now anticipated to be finalized by the end of 2025. Insolvency administrator Peter Staufenbiel confirmed this timeline, noting that the rehabilitation process is proceeding according to plan. The court has received all necessary documentation, including a viable future business plan with detailed financial and programming projections.
Financial constraints remain a significant challenge for the gallery moving forward. The institution must operate within an annual municipal subsidy of €180,000 ($195,000), after city politicians rejected a proposal to increase funding to €240,000 ($260,000) per year. This funding limitation was a contributing factor to the original insolvency filing.
Fricke acknowledges that securing additional sponsorship support will be one of his primary responsibilities. However, he cannot begin serious negotiations with potential sponsors until the insolvency proceedings are officially concluded. "Opening new funding sources and rebuilding sponsor confidence in the art gallery will be among the main challenges I face," Fricke explained.
The gallery will continue to operate under a three-person leadership structure that includes renowned international exhibition curator Gerhard Steidl, who oversees visual arts programming, and Johannes Peter Herberhold, who manages literary and text-based exhibitions. Both continue to serve in volunteer capacities alongside their other professional commitments. Herberhold, who serves as managing director of the Göttingen Literature Festival in his primary role, praised Fricke's exceptional expertise in arts and culture.
Fricke views the art gallery as a crucial anchor in Göttingen's developing cultural quarter, working alongside partners like Herberhold and Steidl to enhance the area's profile and attract visitors. "The goal is to restore the Göttingen Art Gallery to solid footing so we can continue presenting contemporary art with international standards," Fricke stated.
Despite ongoing financial challenges, the gallery has maintained an ambitious exhibition schedule that demonstrates its commitment to world-class programming. The upcoming exhibition featuring photographs by rock star and acclaimed photographer Bryan Adams opens on October 5, 2025. This major show is expected to draw significant attention and help revitalize the cultural quarter.
Additional high-profile exhibitions are planned for 2025, including Jürgen Teller's powerful "Auschwitz Birkenau" exhibition. The 2026 programming slate features internationally recognized artists such as Jim Dine, whose "Two Hammers" exhibition is scheduled from February 19 to April 26, and William Kentridge's "Let us begin at the end," running from July 2 to September 20.
Mayor Broistedt expressed optimism about the gallery's future under Fricke's leadership, despite previous political setbacks regarding increased municipal funding. "We are delighted to have secured Holger Fricke, an excellent expert in the art scene. His enthusiasm for the art gallery will enable him to make meaningful changes," she said.
The appointment reflects broader efforts to strengthen Göttingen's cultural infrastructure and establish the city as a significant destination for contemporary art. The gallery's recovery is seen as essential to the success of the larger cultural quarter development project, which aims to create a vibrant arts district that attracts both local residents and international visitors.
