Art/Brut Center Gugging

About the museum

The roots of the house lie in the former Gugging state psychiatric hospital. From the 1950s, the psychiatrist Leo Navratil had patients draw, initially as a diagnostic aid. In the process, some of them showed exceptional artistic talent; Navratil's publications and contact with Jean Dubuffet made the Gugging artists internationally known from the 1960s onwards and placed them close to Art Brut.

In 1981 the House of Artists (Haus der Künstler) was established, a supervised residential and working community for people active as artists. Under Johann Feilacher, who took over the management in 1986, the artistic stature of the residents came more to the fore. The Galerie Gugging was added in 1994.

In 2006 the museum gugging opened in converted historic buildings of the former hospital grounds as part of the Art/Brut Center Gugging. In changing exhibitions it shows works by the artists from Gugging – from the first generation around Johann Hauser, Oswald Tschirtner, August Walla and the poet Ernst Herbeck to artists working today. For its 20th anniversary, in 2026 the museum is devoting its entire exhibition space to a major show of Gugging art.

The museum is now run by Niederösterreichische Museum Betriebsgesellschaft. The campus also includes the Villa Gugging with a monumental mural by Oswald Tschirtner, an open studio and the Café am Campus.

Highlights

• Works by the first generation of Gugging artists such as Johann Hauser, Oswald Tschirtner and August Walla
• Villa Gugging with a monumental mural by Oswald Tschirtner
• Small changing show “guggkasten.!” with four presentations a year
• Galerie Gugging and Haus der Künstler on the same campus

Founded

2006

Operated by

Niederösterreichische Museum Betriebsgesellschaft m.b.H.

Director

Nina Ansperger (künstlerisch-wissenschaftliche Leitung)

Admission & discounts

With the Niederösterreich-CARD, free admission once, likewise for ICOM members. With a ticket from the Arnulf Rainer Museum or the NÖ Landesausstellung, 50% discount. With the “guggkarte” loyalty card every further visit gets cheaper, and the fourth is free. Card payment possible.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description: no information

Step-free access through a 150 cm wide revolving door; all exhibition areas reachable by lift, and staff are happy to help. Display cases can be wheeled under, and some pictures hang at several heights. Accessible toilets on every level, one disabled parking space on site. Exhibition texts also in Easy Language. The Villa Gugging is accessible without steps. Certified assistance dogs with ID are permitted.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

Parent-child creative workshop for ages 1 to 5 on the first Tuesday of the month, open creative workshop for ages 6 and up on the first Sunday of the month (€7 each), children's birthday parties for ages 5 to 10 and a summer academy for ages 7 to 12. Some pictures also hang at children's height.

Getting there & parking

By car from Vienna via the B14 through Klosterneuburg and on for about 6 km via Kierling towards Tulln; at the Maria Gugging roundabout take the first exit on the right, then immediately left and follow the signs uphill. By bike via the Rund-Rad-Weg from Vienna, Klosterneuburg or Tulln, or the cycle path from the centre of Klosterneuburg.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

Café am Campus (Mon–Fri 10 am–4 pm, Sat, Sun and public holidays 10 am–5 pm, step-free access); museum shop during museum hours; free Wi-Fi. Dogs are only allowed as certified assistance dogs.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 120 guests.

Villa Gugging (114 m²; up to 100 people in rows of seating, 120 standing, 60 for dinner) with terrace and garden for celebrations, weddings, corporate events, readings and concerts; technical equipment available, catering via the Café Bistro am Campus.

Plan your visit