Arnold Schönberg Center
Archive, exhibition venue and concert hall devoted to Arnold Schönberg in the Palais Fanto on Schwarzenbergplatz – with a replica of his study from Los Angeles.
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About the museum
After Arnold Schönberg's death in 1951, his estate initially remained with the family. From the 1970s it was housed at the Arnold Schoenberg Institute of the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, which had an archive as well as performance and exhibition spaces. When the heirs no longer saw the agreement on research focused on Schönberg being fulfilled, a legal dispute arose in 1996, and numerous cities and universities competed for the collection.
Vienna won the bid as the composer's birthplace and centre of the Viennese School. In early 1997 the City of Vienna and the International Schönberg Society founded the Arnold Schönberg Center Privatstiftung; in March 1998 the Center opened on the first floor of the Palais Fanto on Schwarzenbergplatz. Since 1999 Schönberg's former residence in Mödling has also belonged to the foundation as a memorial site.
The collection comprises about 9,000 pages of music manuscripts and 6,000 pages of text manuscripts, about 3,500 historical photographs, personal documents, diaries and Schönberg's entire library; the estate is part of UNESCO's Memory of the World. Visitors see changing exhibitions on his life and work, pictures from Schönberg's painting, and a reconstruction of his study from Los Angeles with its original furnishings. In addition there is a reference library on the Viennese School, concerts, lectures, symposia and education programmes.
Highlights
- Replica of Schönberg's study from Los Angeles with original interior
- Estate with music and text manuscripts (UNESCO Memory of the World)
- Paintings and drawings from Schönberg's visual work
- Reference library on the Viennese School
- Concert hall with concerts and lectures
Permanent exhibition
- Arbeitszimmer Arnold Schönbergs – Replica of the study from Schönberg's house in Los Angeles with the original furnishings, permanently on view at the Center.
- Founded
- 1998
- Operated by
- Arnold Schönberg Center Privatstiftung
- Director
- Ulrike Anton
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €6 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3Seniors |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 26 · Children and young people up to age 26 have free admission. |
| Seniors | €3 |
| Visitors with disabilities | freeFree admission with a disability pass. |
| Students & apprentices | freeFree up to age 26. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €4.50 per personFrom 10 people; seniors in groups €2.50. Group tours on request. |
Vienna City Card and Stadt Wien Vorteilsclub €4.80, Club Ö1 and Ö1 Intro €5.40. Free admission with Kulturpass (“Hunger auf Kunst & Kultur”).
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
According to the house rules, accessible to visit; for events in the concert hall there are dedicated places for wheelchair users and companions (register at the latest one working day in advance). Certified assistance dogs allowed.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 26 |
|---|
Children under 14 may visit the exhibition rooms only when accompanied by a person with supervisory responsibility.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Tram 71 (Am Heumarkt), D (Gußhausstraße), 2 (Schwarzenbergplatz); bus 4A (Lisztstraße); U4 (Stadtpark); U1, U2, U4 (Karlsplatz).
Entrance at Zaunergasse 1–3; the Center is on the first floor of the Palais Fanto.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
Museum shop with specialist literature, scores and recordings of Schönberg's works. Eating and drinking not allowed in the exhibition, concert hall and library.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Allowed in the exhibition space for private purposes without flash, tripod and selfie stick (at least 1 m distance from the works); no recording during events. |
| Good to know | Group tours on request. Education programme “Schönberg auf der Spur” (“On Schönberg's Trail”) for school classes, composing workshop for 12- to 18-year-olds and offerings for adults. Access to manuscripts, writings and correspondence possible for researchers and interested people. |
