WestLicht Camera Museum, Vienna

WestLicht was founded on June 11, 2001, as a non-profit association dedicated to promoting photography. The museum originated from a private initiative of photography and camera enthusiasts and collectors, notably collector Peter Coeln.

The conversion of the 1950s loft space, which was previously used as a glass factory and later as a photo studio, was managed by the architectural team Eichinger oder Knechtl.

Located in the 7th district of Vienna, WestLicht has established itself as a significant entity in the Austrian cultural landscape, contributing to the area's reputation among creatives.

Following concerns about closure in late 2017 due to sponsorship withdrawal, a petition with 20,000 signatures led to successful negotiations for new sponsorships with Polaroid and Leica, ensuring the museum's continuation.

Since 2018, WestLicht has been co-financed by both private sponsors and public funding bodies, diversifying its financial support structure.

In 2011, WestLicht acquired the European portion of the unique Polaroid Collection, comprising over 4400 artworks by renowned photographers who utilized Polaroid technology between 1960 and 1990.

The museum's camera collection, featuring around 500 devices from all eras, includes specialized holdings such as 300 different Leica viewfinders, an extensive collection of spy and miniature cameras, and pre-20th-century cameras.

In March 2018, a Leica 0-series camera from 1923 was auctioned at WestLicht for a record price of 2.4 million Euros.

The WestLicht auction house was taken over by Leica Camera AG in April 2018 and has been operating under the name 'Leitz Photographica Auction' since June 2019.

WestLicht opened its doors in 2001, establishing itself as a venue for photography and photographic art.