Science Center instead of Helnwein Museum – wien.ORF.at

From 2025, the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW), the University of Vienna and the Technical University (TU) Vienna will take over the “Aula der Wissenschaften” in the city center from the Ministry of Science. Rumored plans to establish a Gottfried Helnwein Museum on the site, to which there has reportedly been resistance in the scientific community, do not appear to be materializing.

The project creates “a place for dialogue and encounter between science and society,” ÖVP Science Minister Martin Polaszek was quoted as saying in an ÖAW broadcast on Friday. Research results must be accessible to the general public and their impacts on daily life must be tangible.

Theme weeks, events, and practical laboratories

There is an opportunity to “bring excellent research to the fore and further reduce reservations through modern communication programmes,” ÖAW President Heinz Fassmann said in the statement. Specifically, exhibitions and special displays aim to convey current scientific topics in analog and digital form.

There will also be theme weeks, research events, workshops and hands-on laboratories. In general, it is directed to everyone who is interested in science and research, especially young people who are still in the training stage. The number of visitors is expected to reach 70,000 annually.

Structural adaptations

To date, the building has been used for numerous events, including “Science Talks” organized by the Ministry of Science. The three institutions now replace the ministry as tenants, and the Federal Real Estate Company remains the owner.

Planning and tendering will begin immediately after structural adjustments are made in 2026, and full operation is scheduled to begin in 2027. According to information, the project costs amount to about 17 million euros.