Frederick R Koch Foundation of Austria Gemeinnutzige Privatstiftung

Statement of key activitiesin 2024, the Frederick r. Koch foundation of Austria (frkf) deepened its commitment to cultural heritage, educational exchange, and artistic collaboration through a series of carefully curated events and initiatives centred at schloss blhnbach. These activities built upon the foundation's charitable mission by facilitating meaningful encounters between disciplines, encouraging public appreciation of the arts, and fostering regional and international partnerships in preservation and scholarship.key cultural events in 2024 vinzenzi celebration - january 26, 2024blhnbach's annual vinzenzi feier, held in honour of st. vincent, the patron saint of forest workers, was once again a meaningful moment of reflection and celebration. Following a traditional torchlit procession to the schlosskirche, guests gathered for a holy mass led by pfarrer bernhard pollhammer, accompanied by the clarinet ensemble of werksmusik tenneck. The event concluded with hot glhwein and wrstl shared outdoors among guests. This long-standing tradition offers more than ceremonial observance; it is a vital opportunity to strengthen ties with the local community, honour neighbouring families and forestry staff, and express collective gratitude for another accident-free year in the forest. The foundation is proud to uphold and host this celebration as a gesture of continuity, respect, and local connection, reinforcing blhnbach's enduring role in regional heritage. Artists gathering & salzburg reception - may 17-19, 2024in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the salzburg art foundation, frkf joined a select group of artists, curators, and patrons for a dinner at the villa of thaddeus ropac in anif. The following day, guests were welcomed at blhnbach for a private tour and lunch, part of a broader initiative to deepen engagement with Austria's contemporary art community. Opening of "red gold" at the mining & gothic museum leogang - may 22, 2024 frkf supported the museum's landmark exhibition red gold through the loan of two historically significant pieces from its collection, including a 1505 painting saint daniel instructs miners, and a carved ibex horn trophy, the latter referencing the first reintroduced male ibex in blhnbach valley in 1920. Chairman crispin vaughan and foundation representatives attended the opening as guests of honour of salzburg governor dr. wilfried haslauer. An afternoon of art and exchange at blhnbach - may 23, 2024 the day following the exhibition opening, the foundation hosted an intimate tour of blhnbach and its collections for an esteemed group of museum directors, curators, and scholars, including dr. marius winzeler (staatliche kunstsammlungen dresden), hr dr. vera m.f. Hammer (state gem institute), and prof. Mayerhofer (gothic museum leogang). The visit facilitated cross-institutional dialogue on the preservation and interpretation of cultural heritage. Visit of ambassador david j. Lane - july 22, 2024 blhnbach welcomed ambassador lane, president of the annenberg foundation trust at sunnylands and former u.s. Representative to the un agencies in rome. His visit underscored shared priorities in cultural diplomacy, preservation, and the role of historic estates in public education. Munich concert society excursion & masterclass - september 13, 2024 in collaboration with konzertgesellschaft mnchen e.v., the foundation hosted a concert and masterclass for selected students from the hochschule fr musik. This event also served as a cultural exchange between munich and salzburg, with notable guests including desiree von bohlen und halbach, niece of the Swedish king, whose family has deep historical ties to blhnbach. Economic society of baden-baden - september 12, 2024 schloss blhnbach welcomed members of the wirtschaftsgesellschaft baden-baden, a distinguished group of senior business leaders from across germany, for a private gathering focused on philanthropy, cultural investment, and sustainable development. Against the backdrop of the castle's storied history, participants engaged in dialogue about the evolving role of private enterprise in supporting the arts, environmental stewardship, and the preservation of heritage sites. This event reflects the foundation's commitment to fostering meaningful partnerships that transcend sectors and encourage responsible cultural patronage. By convening conversations between business leaders and the heritage sector, the foundation helps promote long-term thinking around preservation, sustainability, and the societal value of historic estates like blhnbach. It also furthers our educational mission by demonstrating how cultural institutions can act as platforms for exchange and civic responsibility, not only through programming but by exemplifying best practices in stewardship and engagement. Local music brunch - october 12, 2024 held in the early days of autumn, the local music brunch brought together regional folk ensembles, neighbours, and families from surrounding communities for a convivial celebration of alpine musical traditions. Featuring live performances from local bands and a shared meal drawn from seasonal regional fare, the event highlighted the vibrancy of grassroots culture in the salzburg region. More than a festive occasion, the brunch served as an expression of the foundation's commitment to preserving intangible cultural heritage - the oral, musical, and communal traditions that form the living fabric of local identity. By opening the gates of schloss blhnbach to host this gathering, the foundation affirms its role not only as a steward of physical heritage but also as an active participant in sustaining and celebrating regional culture. Such community-focused events embody the foundation's broader mission to cultivate connection, foster cultural continuity, and create shared spaces where history, art, and daily life meaningfully intersect.collaborations and collection stewardshipthe Frederick r. Koch foundation of Austria remains committed to expanding access to its collections and fostering meaningful partnerships that align with its mission of preservation, education, and cultural exchange. In 2024, several key collaborations and initiatives continued to evolve, with plans for further engagement underway.museum partnerships the foundation deepened its relationship with the gothic and mining museum leogang through the loan of significant collection items, such as the 1505 painting saint daniel instructs miners and a historic carved ibex horn trophy, supporting the museum's red gold exhibition. Looking ahead, the foundation is exploring additional ways to collaborate on interpretive programming and public access, with a shared interest in celebrating the artisanal and mining heritage of the salzburg region. Preservation and exhibition development building on prior efforts to interpret the historical interiors of blhnbach, the foundation continues to assess opportunities for future exhibitions and scholarly access. Conservation planning remains an active priority, with work focused on safeguarding key holdings, including rootwood furniture, ecclesiastical artworks, and architectural elements for future educational and curatorial use. Support for artists and scholars blhnbach continues to serve as a site of inspiration and quiet study for artists, musicians, and researchers. The foundation remains committed to cultivating these relationships and is actively exploring more structured ways to host informal residencies, masterclasses, and interdisciplinary exchanges that reflect its broader cultural mission. This year's activities at schloss blhnbach reaffirm the foundation's role as a custodian of cultural legacy, while opening new avenues for engagement with contemporary practice, scholarly inquiry, and international collaboration. We remain dedicated to preserving the integrity of this unique site and sharing its rich history with broader audiences, in Austria and beyond.