Once, this very spot was just an agricultural area. Now, look around. This is Haus der Jugend. It has stood here at Zeltgasse 7 for decades as a haven for Vienna’s youth.
In 1785 Josef Hauser built the first building here. It was named “Zu Maria Einsiedel”. The city of Vienna acquired the land in 1881. Then, in 1884 Theophil Hansen built a girls’ school. Later, a boys’ school was added behind it.
Fast forward to World War II. Fliegerbomben damaged the Hauptschule. But the school reopened in 1946.
The story of Haus der Jugend truly begins in 1962. The building transformed into a youth center. It was funded by the city, Zentralsparkasse, and the Austrian Trade Union Federation. It was Vienna’s second official and largest youth center.
Haus der Jugend offered modern rooms. It provided cultural and sports activities. It even allowed groups to host their own events. This open-door policy created a diverse and vibrant community. Around 50 youth groups regularly met here. These included up to ten bands and six theater groups. From 1962 to 1971, annual visitors grew from 34,000 to 71,000.
But the Haus der Jugend was more than just a meeting place. It became a hotspot for alternative music. As the ’68 movement influenced society, the youth became increasingly political. This social shift led to challenges.
By the early 1980s, the building was falling apart. The city saw an opportunity to restructure Haus der Jugend. Some of the space was given to the Musische Zentrum in 1981-1983. This brought a new, calmer direction to the building.
Doris Tarlowski founded the Musische Zentrum in 1976. She developed an innovative arts education approach. Children could explore music, dance, and theater. There was no pressure. They freely expressed themselves.
Tarlowski gained political support. She created an arts institution open to all children. By 1981, over 300 children attended weekly courses. In 1982, the Musische Zentrum moved into the Haus der Jugend. It expanded its offerings.
In 1988-89, the open youth program ended. The Musische Zentrum took over the entire building. It gained recognition for its work with disabled and mentally challenged children.
Under new leadership, the Musische Zentrum shifted its focus. From 1998 it became a course center. Weekly visitors exceeded 1,000 children and teens. After a Veruntreuungsaffäre in 2011, Gudrun Schweigkofler Wienerberger became director. She modernized the building and administration. She emphasized theoretical aspects of art education. However, the original pedagogical idea remains. Holistic arts education without performance pressure endures.
Today, the Haus der Jugend stands as a testament to Vienna’s commitment to its youth. It is a place where creativity flourishes, communities form, and futures are shaped. It continues to evolve while staying true to its mission.