Our mission statement
The Kunsthaus Zug is a place devoted to a continuous, focused engagement with the visual arts. The Kunsthaus Zug brings together artists, the region and the local population, and facilitates a process of mutual exchange between them, both in the museum itself and in public spaces. In this way, it makes possible a wide range of experiences. Its activities are made visible and tangible, thereby creating a dialogue between all the participants. The Kunsthaus Zug communicates in a manner that is ethical, professional and participatory. The Art Education Department uses the museum’s collections to reach out to a broad public. It realises exhibitions, events, and long-term, process-oriented collaborations and projects with both artists and institutions. In specific fields, the Kunsthaus Zug is a centre of knowledge and research, communicating its research findings through publications and by organising events. Through its targeted acquisition activities and by maintaining its cultural holdings, the Kunsthaus preserves knowledge for the future. As an inclusive museum, the Kunsthaus Zug addresses a broad, diverse audience. Its participatory projects encourage a non-discriminatory, barrier-free dialogue. It fosters interdisciplinary collaborations with various actors and institutions from all fields of culture. The Kunsthaus Zug is one of the most innovative, high-profile art museums in Switzerland. It is a self-critical institution that has the courage to experiment. It is prepared to take risks and to break new ground. In the dynamic, diverse, business-oriented region of Zug, the Kunsthaus Zug focuses on art and culture. In so doing, it contributes to the identity of Zug as an urban centre.
Restitution Research, Statement Zug Art Society on the topic of provenance
As a museum, the Kunsthaus Zug has a social responsibility. In this context, the Kunsthaus Zug considers a proactive and transparent approach to provenance research to be essential. As a basis for provenance research, the Kunsthaus Zug acknowledges the Ethical Guidelines for Museums of the International Council of Museums (ICOM)[1] as well as the explanations of the Federal Office of Culture (BAK)[2]. The origin of the collections of the Zug Art Society has always been documented at the Kunsthaus Zug as part of the history of the objects. The collection consists mainly of Swiss art and contemporary art, most of which was created after 1945. Should it become evident in the future that there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that works in the Kunsthaus were seized as a result of Nazi persecution, the Kunsthaus will clarify the provenance in depth within the scope of its resources and arrange for the necessary action to be taken. The Kunsthaus Zug will not accept any loans or donations for which there are substantiated indications of a Nazi persecution-related seizure.
Arrangement with the Kamm Collection Foundation
The Stiftung Sammlung Kamm (Foundation Collection Kamm) is the owner of a large art collection with works mainly from the era of Viennese Modernism and European art of the 19th and 20th centuries. In accordance with its statutory purpose, the foundation is to preserve these works, make them accessible to the public and house them on loan at the Kunsthaus Zug. At least a representative part of the collection is to be on permanent display at the Kunsthaus Zug. Against this background, the Zuger Kunstgesellschaft (Zug Art Society) and the Stiftung Sammlung Kamm concluded a permanent loan agreement in summer 2018. According to this contract, the Zuger Kunstgesellschaft may freely use the works of art, exhibit them, lend them to third parties (other museums) and use them for its other activities. At the same time, the Zuger Kunstgesellschaft is obliged to store the works and to take care of them in the same way as it takes care of its own collection. The contract also regulates the details concerning the care in the handling of the works and their storage. The Zuger Kunstgesellschaft is liable for professional handling. Any damage is insured. The costs for storage and insurance are borne by the Zuger Kunstgesellschaft, those for any restoration by the Foundation. Otherwise, no expenses are incurred by the Zuger Kunstgesellschaft. In particular, no loan fee or other compensation will be paid to the Stiftung Sammlung Kamm. The contract also contains a regulation on how to proceed if indications of a possibly problematic provenance should arise in the case of individual works. In such a case, it is the responsibility of the Foundation to conduct the necessary research and to deal with claims and requests. Both parties - the Zuger Kunstgesellschaft and the Foundation - may terminate the loan of such works within a short period of time (30 days), whereby the work in question will be returned to the Foundation. A special feature concerns the expectation on both sides that a representative part of the collection should be shown permanently. At present, this is not possible at the Kunsthaus Zug for reasons of space, but this situation should change as soon as the Kunsthaus extension has been built. If this does not happen by 2030, the Foundation can take back the works with 12 months' notice. Finally, the contract contains a confidentiality obligation, as is customary with all loan agreements in the museum sector.
Annual report
The annual report will be published for the attention of the Annual General Meeting of the Zuger Art Society.