75 years into the existence of Salzburg Global Seminar, Schloss Leopoldskron remains as timeless as ever
Unlike many other palaces in Austria, Schloss Leopoldskron has never been a museum. It has always been a living, breathing, working space. But how can a globally-minded nonprofit make an 18th-century Austrian palace work best in a 21st-century world? Meeting this challenge requires the careful balancing of three priorities: historic preservation, revenue generation, and mission—“to challenge current and future leaders to shape a better world.”
Physical and Digital
Leopoldskron is a place for bridging divides—political, social, economic, [and] cultural. The beauty of the Schloss creates the conditions of trust and openness needed for this exchange and collaboration to thrive. In the early years, Fellows slept 30 to a room on army cot beds. Today, Fellows and hotel guests alike enjoy modern, WiFi-enabled, ensuite bedrooms and suites. In addition to the historic state rooms of the Schloss, Salzburg Global now also has two large high-tech conference rooms, connecting those in the palace to speakers and guests around the world.
Local and Global
Thanks to local partnerships, including with the Salzburg Festival and Landestheater, renovations of the Schloss Park, the foundation of a new “Friends of Schloss and Park Leopoldskron," cultural events such as concerts and theater performances, as well more frequent tours, open days and picnics, have made Schloss Leopoldskron more open to the local community. Local groups who share Salzburg Global’s values are invited to use the Schloss’ facilities for heavily discounted rates. Salzburg Global’s international alumni and its programs help inform projects—from a community garden to new art installations—making Leopoldskron a place for all.
Accessible and Inclusive
Making sure that both Fellows and guests feel welcome at Leopoldskron is imperative to Salzburg Global. This means not only ensuring that the property is accessible—with more wheelchair access, hearing loops in conference rooms, more dietary options, [and] gender-neutral bathrooms—but also addressing contentious artwork no longer appropriate in today’s world. Information panels provide [the] context of what must remain, and a new art collection to better reflect the diversity of Fellows and guests has been installed.
Relevant and Innovative
Salzburg Global’s programs have always addressed the most pressing concerns of the day—from post-war reconciliation (1940s), civil rights (1950s), post-colonial development (1960s), environmental protection (1970s), nuclear proliferation and AIDS (1980s), post-Soviet reconstruction (1990s), globalization (2000s) to financial regulation (2010s)—to build a better tomorrow. Today’s convergent crises need solutions that are intersectional, international, interdisciplinary, intergenerational, and inclusive—all of which are reflected in Salzburg Global’s new program strategy. The latest pedagogies and technologies are embraced to foster ongoing collaboration between both current and future leaders.
Ambitious and Sustainable
Stewardship of Schloss Leopoldskron requires ensuring its longevity and sustainability for decades and even centuries to come—both financially and environmentally. This year sees the completion of an $18-million fundraising campaign. Thanks to private individuals, foundations, corporations, and governments, Salzburg Global will be able to realize its most ambitious plans yet. Over the coming years and decades, the new “masterplan” will see [the] renovation of every floor of the Schloss—from the cellar to the attic—as well as the Meierhof and Schloss Park.
Across its three centuries, Schloss Leopoldskron has been many things. A summer palace for an autocratic prince-archbishop. A failed shooting lodge and spa. The center of the creative arts and theater scene of Europe. A stage to represent a fascist regime. A bombed-out dilapidated shadow of its former glory. And now, for 75 years: a place of dialogue, debate, reconciliation, refuge, and openness. It is the anchor of Salzburg Global Seminar, and this small but globally-minded nonprofit intends for that to continue for another 75 years—and beyond.
