Kunstmuseum Basel and the Laurenz Foundation have a history of close cooperation and exchange, with the Laurenz Foundation also providing regular support and assistance for the display of the collection of the Emanuel Hoffmann Foundation at Kunstmuseum Basel. In addition, the construction costs for the new extension of Kunstmuseum Basel opened in spring 2016 were split evenly between the Laurenz Foundation and the Canton of Basel City.
The Laurenz Foundation funds two professorships at the Universität Basel: the Schaulager Professorship for Art Theory (since 2013) and the Laurenz Assistant Professorship for Contemporary Art (since 2002).
In creating this partnership with the university, Schaulager has helped to substantially strengthen the curriculum in the area of contemporary art and generate an ongoing exchange between the institutions. The partnership involves teaching and research projects as well as the joint organisation of scholarly events.
Laurenz Assistant Professor for Contemporary Art
Dr. Charlotte Matter (from 1 February 2025)
Schaulager Professor of Art Theory
Professor Dr. Markus Klammer (since September 2013)
Previous holders of the Laurenz Professorship
Prof. Dr. Simon Baier (September 2017 – Januar 2024)
Prof. Dr. Eva Ehninger (February 2015 – March 2017)
Prof. Dr. Susanne Leeb (September 2012 – September 2014)
Prof. Dr. Sebastian Egenhofer (August 2007 – December 2011)
Prof. Dr. Ralph Ubl (October 2003 – June 2007)
Prof. Dr. Beate Söntgen (October 2002 – September 2003)
Exchange and involvement in the current academic discourse is further promoted by our collaboration with eikones – Center for the Theory and History of the Image.
In close cooperation with eikones – Center for the Theory and History of the Image, Schaulager organises, supports and coordinates conferences and public lectures.
Library
eikones – Center for the Theory and History of the Image houses a public library that can be consulted at Rheinsprung 11 in Basel. The library at Rheinsprung 11 is operated as a satellite of the Schaulager library in Münchenstein.
The Laurenz Foundation has endowed a curator position at the Museum of Modern Art, New York: the position of Laurenz Foundation Curator. With the newly created post, the Laurenz Foundation actively supports the exhibition programme of the Museum of Modern Art. Since February 2016, Kathy Halbreich, Associate Director at the Museum of Modern Art, has served as the Laurenz Foundation Curator.