Muzeum umění a designu Benešov

About the museum

The Benešov Museum of Art and Design, abbreviated MUD*, was founded in 1990 as a Gallery of Fine Art set up by the Benešov District Office. Since 2015 it has been a contributory organisation of the town of Benešov. Its focus on design is unique in the Central Bohemian Region. The collection holds over 13,900 objects, mainly paintings, graphic art, photography, sculpture and design, above all from Bohemia and Moravia from 1900 onwards, with an emphasis on the period after 1945; special attention is paid to work from the Benešov region.

The museum is housed in the Art Nouveau building of the former District Economic Savings Bank, built in 1904–1905 and designed by the Benešov builder Marcel Dusil. The house is a protected cultural monument and is known locally above all for the Šímova síň (Šíma Hall), named after the Benešov painter and musician Ladislav Šíma. In 2018 the ground floor was reconstructed with an emphasis on step-free access, and connected exhibition spaces, a reception, a reading room and access to the museum courtyard were created. For this project the museum received a special award in the Gloria Musaealis competition.

In the courtyard stands a sculpture display of the second half of the 20th century and of contemporary artists, including works by Miloslav Chlupáč and Karel Nepraš and figures by Kurt Gebauer leaning out of windows. The museum holds exhibitions, workshops, lectures, concerts and chamber performances.

Highlights

• Collection of visual art and design with an emphasis on the period after 1945
• Sculpture display in the museum courtyard (Chlupáč, Nepraš, Gebauer)
• Art Nouveau building of the former savings bank, 1904–1905
• Café and reading room with a specialist library on art and design
• Workshops and guided tours of exhibitions

Permanent exhibition

• Sochařská expozice na muzejním dvorku – The courtyard holds a sculpture display of the second half of the 20th century and of contemporary artists, including works by Miloslav Chlupáč, Karel Nepraš and Kurt Gebauer.

Founded

1990

Operated by

Město Benešov (příspěvková organizace)

Director

Gabriela Francová

Admission & discounts

The guided tour of the exhibition is free. Free admission is also granted to journalists and holders of ICOM, ICOMOS, AMG and Rada galerií ČR (Council of Galleries of the Czech Republic) cards, AICA members and others.

Accessibility

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

The ground floor was reconstructed with an emphasis on step-free access; Šíma Hall on the first floor has undergone only partial adaptation.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

The museum offers creative workshops, holiday day camps and educational programmes. The reading room has an interactive wall for children, and children are welcome in the café and the courtyard.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Wi-Fi

Café with reading room on the ground floor, outdoor courtyard with terrace. Wi-Fi is free for visitors.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 70 guests.

Hire of Šíma Hall (up to 70 seats), workshop rooms, exhibition hall, café with reading room, courtyard and cellar for concerts, lectures, workshops and wedding ceremonies.

Plan your visit