Der Standard, July 7, 2021
German original: https://www.derstandard.at/story/2000127994430/juedisches-museum-neue-leitung-oder-verlaengerung
Director Danielle Spera is applying for a fourth term, but her results so far are not without criticism.
Last week the deadline for applications for the recently advertised position of director of the Jewish Museum Vienna (JWM) passed. The number of applicants for the artistic-scientific and managerial leadership of the museum is said to be in the high double-digits. Danielle Spera, who has been in this position since 2010, is one of them, she confirmed to Der Standard.
But Spera’s third contract renewal is anything but set in stone, because reservations exist within the Viennese city government; specifically, her attributed close relationship with the People’s Party (OVP) is said to cause atmospheric disturbances. And those apparently are less about her husband Martin Engelberg, a Member of Parliament (OVP), but about her own involvements, including Antonella Mei-Pochtler’s think tank that also advises Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz.
No Problem for Spera
Spera herself does not see a problem there. She regards her nomination as a privilege and does not see herself exploited by party politics. Instead, she points to her excellent contacts with politicians of all colors, with the exception of the Austrian Freedom Party (FPO).
Theoretically, the tenure of the 63 year-old would have ended in June 2020. Practically, Vienna Holding had previously extended her contract until the end of June 2022; without the international tender that would have been mandatory – and by spring 2020 possibly a tight schedule for applicants still under contract elsewhere. The Holding refrained from doing this in the light of lock-downs due to the pandemic, according to a statement.
The Retirement
So far for the official version. Unofficially, some have assumed that Spera was not planning to apply again and instead would retire at her 65th birthday next year; a retirement that had been open to her, born in 1957, for the past three years. But Spera herself has other plans. She points to active colleagues like Klaus Albrecht Schroeder (65), director of the Albertina, or Johanna Rachinger, who will be 66 at the end of her tenure at the top of the Austrian National Library.
Good Numbers
Spera’s results as museum director so far have been solid if measured in numbers. Under her leadership, visitation numbers at the locations at Palais Eskeles (Dorotheergasse) and Judenplatz have increased significantly since she took over, from 87,400 in 2010 to 144,039 in 2019. Revenue from ticket sales has also increased manifold, from Euro 167,487 to 813,519. The total contributions from the City of Vienna and the federal government remained stable at some four million Euro during that time period.
With regard to her accomplishments, she can also point to the establishment of a permanent exhibit within the limited space, to prominent gifts, and to programs for refugees from the Middle East.
Little Recognition
With her exhibition program she could attract new audiences, but has not always been accepted among experts. She focuses on feel good – exhibitions and fashionable success stories without sociopolitical meaning or questions, according to parts of the scientific community, which have also been criticizing a lack of relevant research projects.
In addition, this community has also quite vehemently been pointing to the museum’s great inventory, including the collection of the Jewish Community Vienna (IKG) as a permanent loan – which has all been tucked away in storage for years.
In general, the IKG is a minefield for Spera. The tensions between IKG President Oskar Deutsch, his predecessor Ariel Muzicant, and the couple Engelberg-Spera are well known. In the job profile, “good contacts within the Jewish Community Vienna, specifically the IKG” are particularly highlighted.
Narrow Down the Choices
The IKG will be represented in the search committee next to the cultural department of the City of Vienna and the Vienna Holding (both SPO). Personnel consultants Deloitte will narrow down the choices over the coming weeks. The hearings with qualified candidates are scheduled for the Fall.
Within Vienna Holding, Spera’s work is evaluated as excellent. Still, the tender is by no means a formality – a chance to review other candidates has to be utilized and a generational change cannot be ruled out.