Starting April 1, 2026, Prof. Dr. Brigitte Franzen will take on the roles of director and chief executive chairwoman at the Bauhaus-Archiv / Museum für Gestaltung in Berlin. She will succeed Annemarie Jaeggi, who has served in this role since 2003 and leaves behind a significant legacy.
Brigitte Franzen, born in Freiburg im Breisgau in 1966, has been president of the Hochschule für Gestaltung (HfG) Offenbach since October 2024. She previously directed the Senckenberg Natural History Museum in Frankfurt (Senckenberg Naturmuseum Frankfurt) , the Ludwig Forum for International Art in Aachen (Ludwig Forum für Internationale Kunst), and the Peter and Irene Ludwig Foundation (Peter und Irene Ludwig Stiftung), which has 28 partner museums worldwide.
Franzen is a trained art historian with a doctorate and has overseen more than 100 exhibition projects since 1993. These projects include Skulptur Projekte Münster 2007, the Kleinplastik Fellbach Triennial 2019, and The Cool and the Cold at the Gropius Bau in 2021 and 2022. During her tenure at the Senckenberg Museum, she increased annual visitor numbers to 460,000 and repositioned the institution with innovative programs like the ‘Aha?! Science Lab’.
By moving to Berlin, Franzen will take on the world’s most important collection on the history of the Bauhaus. She will bring her experience in teaching, research, and museum practice to an institution that is internationally regarded as a key reference point in the history of design and architecture.
Regarding her new appointment, Franzen commented,
“This role is a unique opportunity to expand my research and curatorial work in the areas of Neues Bauen, architecture, design, and art from the 1920s to the present. Leading an institution that is a museum, research archive, and versatile events platform aligns perfectly with my concept of ‘research-based curating.'”
Under the leadership of her predecessor, Annemarie Jaeggi, the Bauhaus-Archiv underwent physical expansion and implemented a new program. Jaeggi connected the tangible and intangible heritage of the school with contemporary issues, promoted democratic values, and strengthened international networks. In an interview with ndion, Jaeggi emphasized that the ideas of the Bauhaus are “more relevant today than ever.” She substantiated this claim through outreach, discourse, and collection work.
Until her departure, Franzen intends to continue leading the HfG with commitment. In addition, at the Bauhaus Archive a new cooperation program is being planned — the “Bauhaus Art Schools,” with Offenbach University of Art and Design expected to take the lead.
Share on Social Media
