Summary
The Federal Office of Culture appoints Michelle Ziegler as the new director of the Seewen Museum of Musical Automata. The doctorate-holding musicologist takes office on June 1, 2026, succeeding Christoph Hänggi, who retires after 23 years in the position. Ziegler brings extensive experience in research, museum practice, and cultural mediation and will continue to lead the internationally renowned museum with a focus on interdisciplinary approaches.
Persons
- Michelle Ziegler (new museum director)
- Christoph Hänggi (predecessor, retiring)
Topics
- Museum leadership & personnel transition
- Musicology & cultural heritage
- Federal Office of Culture
Clarus Lead
The Federal Office of Culture appoints musicologist Michelle Ziegler as the new director of the Seewen Museum of Musical Automata (Solothurn). She assumes the position on June 1, 2026, from Christoph Hänggi, who has shaped the museum since 2003. Ziegler's appointment signals continuity with strategic reorientation: her expertise in music, media, and technology history, as well as her focus on collection accessibility and interdisciplinary mediation, point to increased opening of the internationally significant institution. The museum preserves a globally noted collection of historical musical automata and anchors UNESCO-recognized intangible cultural heritage of the Jura region.
Detailed Summary
Michelle Ziegler (*1981) holds a doctorate in musicology with thematic specialization in music, media, and technology history. Since 2024, she has worked as deputy director and scientific staff member at the Museum of Musical Automata and is thus already familiar with the institution, collection, and team. Her previous career includes positions at ETH Zurich and the Paul Sacher Foundation in Basel, where she worked in research, teaching, and the conception and direction of exhibitions and mediation formats. Her profile combines foundational scientific research with curatorial practice and emphasizes accessibility for diverse audiences.
Christoph Hänggi, also a doctorate-holding musicologist, has shaped the museum over 23 years. Under his leadership, numerous special exhibitions were created; the Federal Office commends his commitment as "successful" and characterized by "great dedication." The Museum of Musical Automata is a federal institution and holds a special position within the network of federal museums. Its internationally significant collection of historical musical automata is rooted in the watchmaking and mechanical engineering tradition of the Jura arc, which is recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage.
Key Points
- Personnel transition with continuity: Ziegler is already familiar with the museum; no radical change of course expected
- Research meets mediation: Focus on interdisciplinary approaches and opening the collection to broader audiences
- UNESCO cultural heritage: Museum anchored in recognized intangible heritage of the Jura region
Critical Questions
Evidence/Data Quality: What measurable successes has Ziegler demonstrated in her previous role as deputy director (since 2024) that justify her suitability for overall leadership?
Conflicts of Interest: To what extent could Ziegler's internal promotion generate tensions with other candidates or staff members, and how is this being addressed?
Causality/Alternatives: Was an open selection process conducted, or was the appointment primarily based on internal performance? What alternatives were considered?
Feasibility: How concrete are Ziegler's planned priorities (collection opening, interdisciplinary mediation) in the first 100 days, and with what resources?
Risks: What challenges (funding, visitor numbers, staffing) does Ziegler inherit from Hänggi, and how does she address them?
Continuity vs. Change: How does Ziegler's strategic vision differ concretely from Hänggi's approach, and where is continuity deliberately preserved?
Source Directory
Primary Source: Press Release from the Federal Office of Culture – https://www.news.admin.ch/de/newnsb/GAvWUjKBygpV5i621aKCQ
Verification Status: ✓ February 17, 2026
This text was created with the support of an AI model.
Editorial responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-check: February 17, 2026