Kunsthaus Graz

About the museum

Kunsthaus Graz opened in October 2003 on the right bank of the Mur. The biomorphic building was designed by the British architects Peter Cook and Colin Fournier, who themselves called it the "Friendly Alien". The shimmering bluish skin, the glass viewing platform "Needle" with a view of the old town and the BIX media façade, which lights up towards the Mur, quickly made the building a landmark of the city. The historic Eisernes Haus is incorporated, and on its second floor Camera Austria shows photography.

In terms of content, the Kunsthaus focuses on changing exhibitions of international art from 1960 to the present that take up current social issues and connect global developments with regional themes. In addition there are newly commissioned works, art projects in public space and formats on architecture, design and exhibition-making itself. Art education and accessible offerings have played a central role since the opening.

The building was originally erected via a leasing company. Since 2020, Kunsthaus Graz GmbH has run the exhibition operations; it is owned in equal halves by the City of Graz and the Universalmuseum Joanneum and is funded by the Province of Styria and the City of Graz.

Highlights

• Biomorphic architecture "Friendly Alien" by Peter Cook and Colin Fournier
• Needle viewing platform with a view of Graz's old town
• BIX media façade facing the Mur
• Changing exhibitions of international contemporary art
• Camera Austria exhibition spaces with the same ticket

Founded

2003

Operated by

Kunsthaus Graz GmbH (Stadt Graz und Universalmuseum Joanneum)

Director

Andreja Hribernik

Admission & discounts

Free admission: National holiday (26 October): free admission

The ticket is valid for one calendar day for one admission, including the Camera Austria exhibition spaces. Guided tours cost an additional €4. Discounts with, among others, the Ö1 Club card, ÖAMTC membership and Bühnen Graz Card; the Steiermark-Card and Graz Card are valid. Free admission with the cultural pass "Hunger auf Kunst & Kultur". Drei KulturSonntag: on Sundays, two tickets for the price of one.

Accessibility

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

Tactile guide lines lead to a tactile model of the building with Braille information; a tactile and visible guidance system leads from the entrance to the ticket desk. Automatic doors, lifts with voice announcements, induction loop in the entrance hall, accessible toilets. Blind people can touch selected objects with gloves. Disabled parking space on Grieskai; loan wheelchair free of charge at the ticket desk. Accessible tours on fixed dates and on request. Some exhibitions use light and video effects – people with epilepsy can find out at the ticket desk whether an exhibition is suitable.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Baby changing facilities

Family tour every 2nd Saturday of the month for everyone aged 6 and over; "Space Kids" for children aged 7 to 12 every 1st Saturday of the month; children's audio guide with 10 stops (about 30 minutes, from about age 8). Free admission under 19 years.

Getting there & parking

Buses and cars may stop briefly on the wide pavement in front of the entrance to drop off and pick up passengers.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check

Kunsthauscafé with its own, longer opening hours (daily from 9 am); Kunsthaus shop Tuesday–Sunday 10 am–6 pm.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 200 guests.

Via "Joanneum to rent": Space04 (up to 180 people standing, 130 seated) and Needle (up to 200 people standing) for symposia, presentations, receptions and gala dinners; exclusive tours for event guests possible.

Plan your visit