The Patrons of the Upper Austrian Provincial Museums support the Upper Austrian Provincial Museums in the entire breadth of their activities: natural sciences, cultural sciences, and modern and contemporary art. Whether publicly visible large exhibits, specialized scientific publications or mediation programmes for every age group – the Upper Austrian Provincial Museums and their Patrons are a central component of cultural and social life in Upper Austria.

Thanks to the activities of the Patron Association a metal sculpture several metres high by Rudolf Hoflehner was acquired in 2001, which received much international attention at its presentation at the Biennale in Venice in 1960.

What is a museum?

It is the institution that opens a person’s environment, tradition, life, and spiritual and moral existence. The museum is the identification card of human nature, as an individual, as a member of a community or as a citizen. It expresses this identity not in words, but rather in things. And in this sensual contact between people and objects the museum has its validity, and more than ever its necessity.

(Hugues de Varine, 1969)