Vanja Žanko

Vanja Žanko Email and Phone Number

Cultural manager @ NOMARTS
Vanja Žanko's Location
Vienna, Vienna, Austria, Austria
Vanja Žanko's Contact Details

Vanja Žanko personal email

About Vanja Žanko

I am a cultural manager and curator with fifteen years of experience managing collections, exhibition spaces, cultural organisations and artist studios. Having gained extensive experience in cross-disciplinary collaborations and inter-sector partnerships, I have gravitated towards the challenge of complexity of effectively linking the worlds of art institutions, philanthropic foundations, non-profit organizations, and public services with artists. Art institutions that I have collaborated with include the Tate Modern, Kunsthaus Zürich, Museum of Contemporary Art Zagreb, Camera Austria Graz, and the Venice Biennial. Non-profit partnerships include the United Nations, Croatian Association of Artists, Little Sun Foundation, and the Motovun Film Festival. Philanthropic foundations include the Lauba Foundation Zagreb, Adris Foundation, Fondation Beyeler, and the Bloomberg Philanthropies. Public service funding includes the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Croatia, Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Germany, Austrian Cultural Forum Zagreb, and the City of Zagreb. In my different roles to date, I have always been committed to improving the positions of artists in the international contemporary art landscape. For six years, I have focused on working with artist Olafur Eliasson as his right-hand person. We worked closely on strategic decisions and coordination with internal teams and external collaborators to turn his ideas into artworks, commissions (>15), solo exhibitions (>10), publications (>5), and lectures (>20). I started my career in Zagreb as a curator specialized in Croatian art, working for the Lauba Collection and later as a founding director of its Lauba Foundation project space. I was responsible for the overall vision, planning, fundraising, budgeting and communication. The range of my work included documenting artworks (>500), managing acquisitions (>180), managing loans (>80), curating exhibitions (>20), moderating artist talks (>20), as well as managing external collaborators (>10), managing interns (>40), and managing members (>400). With a vision to support artists and cultural managers born in Central and Southern Europe in building meaningful international careers, I founded Nomad platform. It has been successful in fundraising, building collections (>5), coproducing commissions (>15), exhibitions (>20), books (>5), as well as developing applications for grants, awards and residency programs (>30).

Vanja Žanko's Current Company Details
NOMARTS

Nomarts

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Cultural manager
Vanja Žanko Work Experience Details
  • Nomarts
    Co-Founder
    Nomarts Apr 2024 - Present
  • Nomad
    Founding Director
    Nomad Mar 2014 - Present
    Vienna, Austria
    I have found Nomad with the social and cultural intent to build a platform that contributes to the co-building and promotion of our contemporary cultural discourse. Our end game for this is to shape the market of regional artists from and around Croatia, and in the process build long-lasting cohesive networks around it. Nomad has a new female leadership team since 2021: Ana Petričić Gojanović, Andrea Šarić, Daria Darmaniyan, Dora Zane, Jelena Tamindžija Donnart, and myself.Projects include: Solo exhibition co-production: Jasmina Cibic, The Dreams We Call Our Own, MoCA Zagreb, 2023; Zlatan Vehabovic, An Atlas of the Lesser World, MoMA Zagreb, 2023; Zizic/Kozul: Recognizable Landscapes, Croatian Association of Artists Zagreb, 2016, Tarwuk: M491A192()INKAROH, MoCA Rijeka, 2016; Zizic/Kozul, Recurring Landscapes, National Gallery of Macedonia Skopje and Croatian Association of Artists Zagreb, 2016; Jasmina Cibic, Tear Down and Rebuild, MoCA Belgrade, 2015, Zlatan Vehabovic, Foundations in Mud, MoCA Zagreb and MFA Osijek, 2015; Zizic/Kozul, Spectrum, MoCA Zagreb, 2014; Zizic/Kozul, 0.50, Karas Gallery / Croatian Association of Artists Zagreb, 2014Group exhibition co-production: Works and Lives In, Zona Sztuki Aktualnej Szczecin, with A. Nowak, Artists Y. Calovski and H. Ivanoska, J. Cibic, E. Engelbert, I. Eskinja, K. Hofer, D. Maljkovic, C. K. Mayer, G. Mickiewicz, M. Nowak, Tarwuk, A. Ulbert, 2016; Coupe International Vol.3: Eva Engelbert and Maja Markovic; with: M. Strasser, French Pavilion Zagreb, Kluckyland Vienna and Museum of Fine Arts Osijek, 2015; Archives, Re-assemblances, and Surveys, with: A. Maierhofer and P. Bosnar, Curators: S. Krizic Roban and R. Braun, Artists: S. Bitter & H. Weber, H. Holzfeind, M. Höpfner, D. Krüger & W. Pardeller, T. Lecomte, C. Mayer, K. Nimmerfall, Six & Petritsch, M. Strasser, A. Witek; Produced by: Camera Austria, Hrvatski fotosavez, Austrian Cultural Forum Zagreb. Venues: Galerija Klovicevi dvori Zagreb and MFA Osijek, 2014
  • Studio Olafur Eliasson
    Relationship Manager To Olafur Eliasson
    Studio Olafur Eliasson Feb 2017 - Jan 2023
    Berlin, Germany
    I have been working at an executive level as the right-hand person for artist Olafur Eliasson. In my role as a relationship manager, I am a critical information gateway between Eliasson and external stakeholders, interacting effectively with a network of museum directors, curators, policy makers, publishers and clients is one of my main responsibilities. We work closely on strategic decisions, and my internal daily activities revolve around programmatic, administrative and technological coordination to most effectively enable these decisions to be turned into reality via exhibitions, artworks, commissions, publications, and lectures. The team at Studio Olafur Eliasson consists of about hundred people, from craftsmen and specialized technicians, to architects, archivists and art historians, web and graphic designers, film-makers, cooks, and administrators. We work with Eliasson to develop, produce, and install artworks, projects, and exhibitions, as well as on experimentation, archiving, research, publishing, and communications. Projects include Olafur Eliasson's solo exhibitions: Life, Fondation Beyeler Basel, 2022; Sometimes the river is a bridge, Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, 2020; In real life, Tate Modern London, 2020; Symbiotic Seeing, Kunsthaus Zürich, 2020; WASSERFarben, Pinakothek der Moderne Munich, 2020; The unspeakable openness of things, The Brick Art Museum Beijing, 2018; Green Light - An artistic workshop, Venice Biennial, 2018
  • Maistra Collection
    Artist In Residence Program Director
    Maistra Collection Apr 2015 - Sep 2021
    Rovinj, Istria, Croatia
    I run two residency programs with Nomad:ARTIST MEETS CHEF in partnership with the Maistra Collection investigates the notion of creation that brings together contemporary gastronomy, hospitality and visual arts at the Hotel Adriatic in Rovinj, Croatia. Organized by curator Jelena Tamindzija and myself, together with artist Tomislav Brajnovic. Hotel Adriatic collection is curated by Vanja Zanko, with site-specific artworks by Abdelkamer Benchamma, Jasmina Cibic, Igor Eskinja, Chris Goennawein, Kristina Lenard, Federico Luger, Goran Petercol, Valentin Ruhry, Sofija Silvia, Massimo Uberti, Zlatan Vehabovic, Zizic/Kozul.WEEKEND RESIDENCY PROGRAM in Zagreb, Croatia and Vienna, Austria is dedicated to supporting each other in art production, presentation and distribution. This informal program offers accommodation away from home to brainstorm new ideas and connect with new people.Residents in both programs are artists, architects, curators, designers and collectors working in Albania, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, France, Germany, Italy, Serbia, and Slovenia. Residents in Zagreb, 2015 – 2017: Abdelkader Benchamma, Andrej Bereta, Viktor Bernik, Eva Engelbert, Petja Grafenauer, Ana Panic, Birgit Pelzman, Petra Pölzl, Valentin Ruhry, Michael StrasserResidents in Vienna, 2021 – 2023: Lovro Artukovic, Zlatan Vehabovic, Goran Petercol, Yvonne Andreini, Yolande GouwsResidents in Rovinj, 2016 – 2019: Yane Calovski and Hristina Ivanoska, Sophie Erlund, Stephen Kent, Adrian Paci, Goran Petercol, Driant Zenelli
  • Lauba
    Founding Director
    Lauba Jun 2011 - Sep 2013
    Zagreb
    I have found Lauba for a corporate collection in Zagreb, situated in an old Austro-Hungarian riding arena (1500 m2), dedicated to production and promotion of Croatian contemporary art. First of the kind in the region, it was nominated for EMYA Award (European Museum of the year Award) in 2014. Lauba has been supporting Croatian artists by presenting their artworks in exhibitions, acquiring artworks for Lauba Collection, and connecting artists with private collectors and public institutions. At Lauba, I was responsible for the overall vision and management, planning and fundraising and overseeing the annual budget, managing internal and external staff, curating exhibitions, managing membership, volunteer and educational programs. Projects and activities include:Curator of the exhibition program series NON-PERMANENT EXHIBITION from the Lauba Collection; 2011 - 2013 with artworks by Lovro Artukovic, Braco Dimitrijevic, Julije Knifer, Kristian Kozul, David Maljkovic, Ines Matijevic Cakic, Ivan Picelj, Viktor Popovic, Sofija Silvia, Stipan Tadic, Marko Tadic, Zlatan Vehabovic, among others.Curator of the exhibition program series CROATIAN ART TODAY with solo exhibitions (selection): Marko Tadic: Imagine a Moving Image, 2013; Lovro Artukovic: The Face of the Painting, 2013; Viktor Popovic: Untitled, 2013; Kristian Kozul: Misinterpretations, 2012; Morten Andersen: Black and Blue, 2012; Ivan Fijolic: Neo N.O.B., 2012; Marko Tadic: We Used To Call It: Moon, 2012; Ivana Franke: Waking Background, 2012; Petikat Workshop: The Shop of Metaphors, 2012; Bruno Pogacnik Wukodrakula: The Magic is Gone (but the Filth is Still There), 2011 – 2012; Kristina Lenard: Think Space, 2011; Lovro Artukovic: New Paintings, 2011; Zlatan Vehabovic: Sweeping Confetti From The Floor Of Concrete Hole, 2011Manager of membership programs, educational workshops for children; internship programs for students, audience development, fundraising and overall budget management.
  • Filip Trade Collection (Later Lauba Collection)
    Chief Curator
    Filip Trade Collection (Later Lauba Collection) Jan 2007 - Sep 2013
    Zagreb, Croatia
    Filip Trade Collection (later Lauba Collection) is the largest private collection of modern and contemporary Croatian art, including more than 500 artworks by artists: Vojin Bakic, Ivana Franke, Damir Ocko, Ivan Kozaric, Julije Knifer, Kristian Kozul, Vlado Kristl, David Maljkovic, Kata Mijatovic, Nika Radic, Marko Tadic, Slaven Tolj, Zlatan Vehabovic, Matko Vekic, among others. Projects include exhibitions with artists from the collection:Curator of group exhibitions: What`s happening? Stereo Exhibition, with: Petja Grafenauer; artists: Ivan Fijolic, Istvan Ist Huzjan, Kristina Lenard, Jasmina Cibic, Puma 34, Jasa, Lovro Artukovic, Arjan Pregl, Oko, Gorazd Krnc, Marko Tadic, Viktor Bernik, Kulturni dom Nova Gorica, 2010; What about Power Relations? for Ex Ponto Festival, with: Yane Calovski, Alenka Gregoric, Tevz Logar, Mihaela Richter, Martina Vovk, Mara Vujic, Vanja Zanko, artists: N. Cvijanovic, J. Ferri & D. Hajredini & L. Zeqiri, Igor Eskinja, Irwin, Zlatko Kopljar, Ulay, Alban Muja, Vladimir Nikolic, Franc Purg, Şener Özmen and Cengiz Tekin, Veso Sovilj, Inge Zimprich & Ingela Johansson, Skuc Gallery, Ljubljana, 2008Curator of the exhibition series Finalists for the Labin City Gallery, Labin, 2009, with Sabina Salamon and Mihaela Richter and Lauba House, Zagreb, 2011-2013, with artists from the Lauba collectionCurator of the exhibition series for the Motovun Film Festival: In person, artists: Lovro Artukovic, Ines Matijevic-Cakic, Kristina Lenard, Ivan Fijolic, Antun Maracic, Boris Cvjetanovic, Alem Korkut, Zeljko Badurina, 2010; Why so Serious?, artists: Puma 34, OKO, Fudge, Ivana Armanini, Pekmezmed, Ninja Tiger, Lele, Jaka, Tadej, E.Sh., Ekele, 2009Curator of the exhibition series for the Linienstrasse113 Project Space, Berlin, artists: Ivana Franke, Silvio Vujicic, Marko Tadic, Kristina Lenard, Ivan Fijolic, 2007-2008
  • Student Centre Gallery, Zagreb
    Intern
    Student Centre Gallery, Zagreb 2006 - 2007
    Selected exhibitions and workshops for Student Centre in Zagreb: Photo Exhibition for Jazzg and N.O.Jazz Festival Black and White, 2006; Documentary Exhibition Building of Zagreb Fair 1936-1937 with Kresimir Galovic, 2006; Student workshop Building of Zagreb Fair 1936-1937, with Vinko Penezic, Kresimir Rogina, Kresimir Galovic, 2006; 3rd Culture Fair, Exhibition Student Center Today / From Yesterday / For Tomorrow and Shadow Casters programme, 2006, with: Mihaela Richter
  • Shadow Casters, Zagreb
    Intern
    Shadow Casters, Zagreb 2005 - 2007
    Selected projects: Exhibition Performances and Political Activities, Student Centre, Zagreb, 2006; Re-collecting City, Re-collecting Time project research and exhibition, Student Center, Zagreb, http://biljezenjagrada.blog.hr, 2006; Wallpapers for Re-collecting City, Re-collecting Time project, All over Zagreb, Zagreb, http://zidnenovine.blogspot.com/, (2007) Exhibition Vitic_dances, Cinema Tuskanac, 2006 and Club Jedinstvo, 2007; Show Ex-Position, Ex-Gorica Factory, Zagreb, http://expozicija.blogspot.com/, 2007
  • Peggy Guggenheim Museum, Venice
    Intern
    Peggy Guggenheim Museum, Venice Dec 2003 - Jan 2004
    The museum offers an internship program for students interested in gaining first-hand experience of how a museum is run. The program is a learning experience for all who take part, immersing interns in the cultural life of the city of Venice, allowing them to gain practical experience of museum operations and familiarity with an important collection of modern art. Activities include managing the galleries during opening hours to the public, assisting visitors, staffing the ticket office, cloakroom and other visitor facilities, supporting the museum office staff in various departments and participation in the educational activities of the museum, including presentations to the public, guided tours and workshops with children. The program includes educational activities such as seminars, conferences, educational trips and guided tours for interns.

Vanja Žanko Skills

Art Contemporary Art Curating Museums Visual Arts Art History Art Exhibitions Editing Social Media Research Art Direction Public Relations Arts Administration Nonprofits

Vanja Žanko Education Details

  • Devos Institute For Cultural Managers
    Devos Institute For Cultural Managers
    Cultural Manager
  • School For Curators And Critics Of Contemporary Art World Of Art
    School For Curators And Critics Of Contemporary Art World Of Art
    Curator
  • University Of Zagreb
    University Of Zagreb
    Art History, Criticism And Conservation
  • Ki Culture
    Ki Culture
    Culture

Frequently Asked Questions about Vanja Žanko

What company does Vanja Žanko work for?

Vanja Žanko works for Nomarts

What is Vanja Žanko's role at the current company?

Vanja Žanko's current role is Cultural manager.

What is Vanja Žanko's email address?

Vanja Žanko's email address is va****@****ail.com

What schools did Vanja Žanko attend?

Vanja Žanko attended Università Iuav Di Venezia, Devos Institute For Cultural Managers, School For Curators And Critics Of Contemporary Art World Of Art, University Of Zagreb, Ki Culture.

What are some of Vanja Žanko's interests?

Vanja Žanko has interest in Arts And Culture.

What skills is Vanja Žanko known for?

Vanja Žanko has skills like Art, Contemporary Art, Curating, Museums, Visual Arts, Art History, Art Exhibitions, Editing, Social Media, Research, Art Direction, Public Relations.

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