It was two years after moving into our new building that we heard the great news: the Stapferhaus had received the European Museum of the Year Award (EMYA) for being a “model museum”. The commendation praised its innovative, creative and future-oriented approach, which “offers a model for the museum as laboratory for the art of living – as all museums should be.

Despite Covid-19 we were able to celebrate the award at a festive evening event in December 2021, together with our institutional partners and all those who have accompanied us along the way. The evening was special for a second reason: after 25 years as president of the foundation board, Corina Eichenberger handed over the reins to Katja Gentinetta. We were particularly delighted to hear the words of the Swiss culture minister, who spoke in praise of the Stapferhaus:

“Rather than the exhibits being the main focus here, the emphasis is on the visitors themselves: their experiences, their curiosity, their willingness to engage with a topic and with unfamiliar issues – and perhaps even to question themselves.”