Kestnergesellschaft

Kestner Gesellschaft (Kestner Society) is an art institution in Hanover, Germany, founded in 1916 to promote the arts. Its founders included the painter Wilhelm von Debschitz (1871–1948). The association blossomed under the management of and , pioneering modern art.

After World War II, took over the management in 1947, followed by . In 1997 the Kestner Gesellschaft moved into new premises at Goseriede 11, the former site of the Goseriede Aquatic Center. The new gallery is next to the Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung, Hanover's newspaper.

The institution hit the headlines in 2005 when it exhibited a mud house created by Spanish artist Santiago Sierra featuring a room with mud floor reminiscent of Hanover's Maschsee, an artificial lake.

From 2015 to 2019, institution’s first female director was Christina Végh.

Between November 2020 and September 2024, Adam Budak was the director of the Kestner Gesellschaft. Following his departure, Alexander Wilmschen took over as interim director of the institution for one year from September 2024. Eva Birkenstock will become Director from August 2025. Provided by Wikipedia