Künstlerhaus Wien

About the museum

The Künstlerhaus at Karlsplatz is both a building and the name of an association: In 1861, two Vienna artists' societies merged into the Association of Fine Artists of Vienna to jointly build a club and exhibition house. According to plans by August Weber, an Italian Renaissance villa-style building was erected, which Emperor Franz Joseph I opened in September 1868 with the first exhibition. It is considered the oldest exhibition building erected by an artists' association in the German-speaking world; the two side wings were added in 1882.

Until the founding of the Secession and Hagenbund, the association was Vienna's leading artists' representative; annual exhibitions and the legendary Fasching festivals shaped the house. During Nazi rule, members were expelled and persecuted—a history the Künstlerhaus today openly addresses. After 1945, a cinema (now Stadtkino im Künstlerhaus) was built in, and in the 1980s, large historical exhibitions followed.

After a comprehensive renovation from 2016–2020, the house reopened in March 2020. Since then, the Künstlerhaus Association has presented rotating exhibitions of contemporary art on the upper floor and in the Factory, often featuring works by its members, while on the ground and basement floors, the independent Albertina modern is housed.

Highlights

• Historic Renaissance building from 1868 at Karlsplatz
• Rotating exhibitions of contemporary art
• Art education with workshops for children and families
• Restaurant Ludwig & Adele with terraces
• Cinema at Künstlerhaus

Founded

1868

Operated by

Künstlerhaus, Gesellschaft bildender Künstlerinnen und Künstler Österreichs

Admission & discounts

Also free with Culture Pass ("Hunger for Art and Culture"), for members of museum association, ICOM, AICA, IAA, ADKV, BÖKWE, Phileas, association of art educators, and Künstlerhaus Association. With the Künstlerhaus Experience App, 10% discount on regular admission.

Accessibility

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

Fully accessible: stair lift to the right of main entrance, all exhibition areas accessible via elevators and ramps, accessible restrooms, induction loop. Multisensory artist house bag free at cash desk. Tours for people with visual impairment, instruction in easy language, and workshops for people with dementia (kunstvermittlung@kuenstlerhaus.at).

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

Creative workshops for children within wienXtra and holiday programs, mini-atelier for ages 3–6 with companions, crawling studio for ages 1–3, and tours "Art with Baby" for parents with babies up to 12 months. Tickets online; dates released on the 14th of the previous month; changing and nursing facilities available.

Getting there & parking

Wheelchair-accessible entrance on the right side of the building.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Coat check

Restaurant Ludwig & Adele at Stadtkino im Künstlerhaus with two terraces to Karlsplatz (Mon–Fri from 5 p.m., Sat/Sun from noon). Free cloakroom in basement 1.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Available for rent: entire upper floor (490 m²), historic Salon Karlsplatz (70 m²), and Factory (200 m²) for receptions, galas, concerts, conferences, or celebrations.

Plan your visit