Database of Funded Projects

The Botstiber Institute for Austrian-American Studies has generously funded academic research and public history projects that promote an understanding of the historic relationship between the United States and Austria. The following search tools make it possible to explore these projects and to learn more about the scholars and organizations who have received BIAAS grants and fellowships.

2023-09-14T14:51:18+00:00

Hannes Richter

2023
Topics: Art, History, Photography
Products: Event, Exhibit

The main purpose of the proposed project is to present the life and work of Yoichi Okamoto to both an academic audience and the public via academic panels and corresponding publications, a physical exhibition, and a website. Okamoto was the personal photographer of General Mark Clark 1945–1948, head of the Pictorial Section United States Information Services in Austria 1948–1954, artist and Presidential Photographer of Lyndon B. Johnson at the White House 1963–1969. In a unique fashion, Okamoto’s work spans from post-War Austria to the highest echelons of Presidential politics in the United States via the medium and art of photography.

2023-09-13T17:48:50+00:00

Hans Petschar

2023
Topics: Art, Culture, History, Photography, Research
Products: Article, Book, Exhibit

The research project will study the life and work of Yoichi Okamoto, personal photographer of General Mark Clark 1945–1948 in Austria, head of the United States Information Service Pictorial Section in Austria 1948–1954 and Presidential Photographer of Lyndon B. Johnson at the White House 1963–1969. Surprisingly enough, despite Okamoto’s extraordinary career in Europe and later in the U.S. as White House photographer during the Johnston era, a comprehensive biography of Yoichi R. Okamoto is still missing. Archival research will take place at the Daniel Library, The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina, the National Archives in Washington DC and the Lyndon B Johnson Library in Austin, Texas. Research results will be integrated in exhibitions and scholarly publications in Austria and the U.S.A. Hans Petschar is a historian and Director of the Picture Archives and Graphics Department at the Austrian National Library. In 2015/16 he served as the Marshall Plan Chair at the University of New Orleans.

2021-03-25T21:53:39+00:00

James Morrow

2020
Topics: Art, Culture, History, Photography
Products: Article, Book, Exhibit, Journal/Magazine

Jim Morrow received a $5,000 BIAAS grant for the project “Designing the American Salzburg: Habsburg Austrian Culture in Colorado Mountain Communities,” which will examine how Habsburg Austrians who settled in Colorado used architecture and design to create a sense of togetherness. The proposed research has two objectives. The first will document how Habsburg Austrian emigres in two Colorado towns, Crested Butte and Aspen, influenced the development of American alpine culture. The second will give detail [...]