Update on the future of STAGE Bregenz

Following two successful editions of STAGE Bregenz, we made a conscious decision to take a break. My aim was to use this time to further develop the format and lay the foundations needed to establish an art fair of this calibre on a sustainable, long-term basis.

With passion, great ambition and a firm belief in the potential of this special location, we have been working towards putting STAGE Bregenz 2027 on an even broader footing. The experiences of recent years have shown the extraordinary opportunities offered by Bregenz as a venue, the international Lake Constance region and the special atmosphere at the Festspielhaus.

Unfortunately, we were not able to secure the broad support required in time to realise the fair in 2027. Precisely because I am convinced of STAGE Bregenz’s potential, I believe it is important to proceed only when the conditions are right and the fair can be built on a stable foundation.

My heartfelt thanks go to everyone who made the first editions possible – in particular our public funding partners, including the City of Bregenz, the Province of Vorarlberg and the Austrian Federal Ministry for Housing, Art, Culture, Media and Sport (BMWKMS), as well as all our sponsors.

My big thanks also go to the galleries that participated with such enthusiasm. I hope that their presence has led to valuable encounters, contacts and lasting inspiration for the future.

A big thank you also goes to all our programme partners who, through their outstanding exhibitions, showcased the diversity and quality of the art and culture scene in the Lake Constance region.

Thank you to all the visitors who engaged with the art and chose the Festspielhaus Bregenz as a place for exchange and meaningful encounters during STAGE Bregenz.

My special thanks go to the dedicated team at the Festspielhaus Bregenz for their excellent collaboration.

I would also like to thank the wonderful STAGE Bregenz team, including the curators, who placed their trust in us and enriched the fair with their international expertise.

It has been and remains a privilege for me to be able to develop and shape this fair together with so many dedicated people. I am proud of what we have achieved together. STAGE Bregenz has demonstrated the potential this venue holds for contemporary art – and I remain convinced that this potential can continue to grow in the future.

Last but not least, I would like to say that over the past few years I have had the pleasure of getting to know many dedicated people in the Vorarlberg art scene. I have always felt welcome. You are doing outstanding work – please continue on this path.

Renger van den Heuvel