The power of Kultursignatur:
Your vision, my expertise
Here you can learn more about my personal passion for art and culture and the philosophy that shapes my work. Discover how my many years of experience and deep understanding of the cultural landscape can contribute to your success.
Information
Bild: Thomas Raggam
Born in Graz in 1971, I completed my Ph.D. in art history in Graz in 1998 with a transnational thesis. After working as a store manager and bookseller at the Prachner bookstore in Graz, specializing in art, architecture, photography, and design, and as manager of the shops at the Kunsthaus Graz and throughout the Universalmuseum Joanneum, I joined ilsinger editions as a sales assistant in 2010. After managing the publishing house and sales department, I launched the “Häuser schaun” series for the Haus der Architektur in 2010, which has been very successful in showcasing current architectural projects in Graz and the surrounding area. At the Grazer Kunstverein, I was responsible for office management and public relations starting in 2010 and have served as executive director since 2016.
My successfully completed training programs in cultural management and cultural mediation at the Institut für Kulturkonzepte in Vienna form the foundation for my diverse professional activities, including collaboration on “Kulturbotschaften Südsteiermark 2023,” curating and opening the “Künstlerhof-Schau 2024” at the Steiermarkhof, and providing subject-specific expertise for Land Art projects organized by the association “next” led by artist and curator Luise Kloos (Ingeringsee near Stift Seckau, Grafenbergalm in the Dachstein region, and Cill Rialaigh, Ireland).
After serving for six years as a member of the cultural board of Trustees of the State of Styria from 2018 to 2023, I began my role as an advisory board member for the visual arts for the State of Styria in January 2024; I have also served as chairwoman of the “Aktion Künstlerhilfe” association in the city of Graz since February 2024.
Art has become an integral part of my life.
My decades of experience in the arts and culture sector have given me deep insights into a wide variety of operational and substantive areas of work. Whether organizing and planning exhibitions and events, editing texts for opening receptions and catalogs, curating exhibitions, leading teams, or handling budgetary matters: I have always been driven by a passion for art and culture, discipline, dedication, and a keen curiosity about new projects and encounters.
Feedback from artists and cultural professionasl
“Thank you for your in-depth, enriching, and insightful art-historical exploration of this important topic!”
Isolde und Dieter Bornemann
„Thank you so much... for your wonderful speech at the opening.“
Soli Kiani, visual artist
„Thank you again for your wonderful words! Such a beautiful speech—full of interesting, expert content and so much heart. … I always admire how beautifully you speak—so varied, eloquent, and interesting… simply wonderful!”“
Sabine Schilcher Asen, visual artist
„I’d like to thank you once again for the warm—but above all, extremely professional—opening remarks. Just one thought—you really outdid yourself with your speech today! … Fantastic!”
Gisela Grill, visual artist
„Thanks again for your wonderful speech - it was great.“
Georg Dinstl, visual artist
„….and the other person that I wanna to give a big big hug to is the one and only Frau Gurke! Frau Gurke has been there for so long, has seen so many directors come and go, has been the stable factor for the members, has been so committed to this institution. So, to her, we owe a lot and we should applaud for her and we will miss her terribly. So, Tanja, lots of love, thank you so much for all your amazing work, wish you all the best for the future“
Krist Gruijthuijsen, former artistic director of Grazer Kunstverein
„A special THANK YOU also goes to… our curator, Tanja Gurke—for her active support and the wonderful presentation of our artists that evening“.
Herzenslichter Österreich
„Thank you once again for the fantastic opening of our exhibition. With your excellent introduction, you did a wonderful job of helping visitors understand our approach and our work for this exhibition. This allowed the many guests to get a great sense of who we are.”
Gilbert Kleissner, visual artist
My motivation
Through my diverse cultural activities, I have the opportunity to bring together a strong network of artists and cultural professionals, creating a space for contemporary, interdisciplinary art; for the spoken and written word, as well as the filmed and performed word; and for personal encounters and international cultural exchange. I am delighted to have the opportunity to contribute my experience and vision to the positioning and further development of artists and cultural institutions.
My goal is your goal: Visibility and growth
My goal is to guide artists on their path to visibility and success, to support cultural institutions in establishing their position, and to inspire those interested in culture. After working with Kultursignatur, our clients should not only be able to demonstrate concrete results—such as improved project development, effective cultural management, or professional curation—but also feel empowered and inspired.