ARKEN Museum for Samtidskunst
Denmark's largest museum of contemporary art in Ishøj on the Køge Bugt, in a ship-shaped building with a sculpture park on the beach.
About the museum
ARKEN is located in the beach park of Ishøj on the shore of the Køge Bugt, southwest of København. The architectural competition for the new museum was won by Søren Robert Lund, then still a student. His building, influenced by deconstructivism, recalls a stranded ship: the roughly 150-meter-long main axis is shaped like a hull, and portholes in heavy steel doors, exposed concrete and the ship-shaped restaurant with a view of the sea pick up the maritime motif. Queen Margrethe II inaugurated the museum in 1996.
The state-recognized museum was expanded in 2008 by an extension from the firm C.F. Møller, and in 2009 a new entrance area followed, designed by Søren Robert Lund. ARKEN is an independent institution supported by the state as well as by foundations and sponsors.
The collection focuses on Danish and international contemporary art and is deliberately expanded with positions that reflect diversity and gender equality. It includes works by artists such as Elmgreen & Dragset, Mona Hatoum, Grayson Perry, Candice Breitz and SUPERFLEX. Some of them stand in the sculpture park around the museum in the dune and lagoon landscape of the beach park. In addition, ARKEN shows large temporary exhibitions and, with ARKEN Kids, offers an extensive program for families.
Highlights
- Ship-shaped museum architecture by Søren Robert Lund
- Sculpture park in the dunes, including Elmgreen & Dragset's bronze boy on a rocking horse
- Floating house "My Floating Home" by Karolin Schwab in the lagoon
- Located directly on the beach of Ishøj on the Køge Bugt
- ARKEN Kids with workshops on weekends and during holidays
Permanent exhibitions
- Skulpturpark – Around the museum, in the dune and lagoon landscape of the beach park, stand sculptures from the collection, to look at, play on and rest by.
- Founded
- 1996
- Director
- Johan Holten
- Visitors per year
- approx. 347,460 (2017)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | DKK 150 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | DKK 130Students with a valid ID, members of Ældre Sagen |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Children and teenagers under 18 free |
| Seniors | –No general senior discount; members of Ældre Sagen pay DKK 130 |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · Companion with a companion card (ledsagekort) free |
| Students & apprentices | DKK 130with a valid student ID |
| Groups (10+ people) | DKK 135 per personper person, advance booking via booking@arken.dk |
| ARKEN Kids card (annual pass for one child, one adult free each time) | DKK 395available at the museum only |
A museum ticket is also required for the restaurant and shop. Members of Klub ARKEN have free admission; if you join on the day of your visit, the ticket you bought is credited. Daycare centers, schools and secondary schools free upon registration.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Elevators at all staircases, large parts of the museum without differences in level; the restaurant on the second floor is also reachable by elevator. Free loan wheelchairs and walkers at the ticket office, folding chairs at the entrance to the exhibition. Accessible parking spaces at the main entrance (access via the second bridge from Skovvej). Guide dogs and assistance dogs allowed.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
- Stroller-friendly
- Baby changing facilities
ARKEN Kids: every weekend 10:00–13:00 and during the other school holidays daily 10:00–13:00 with hands-on activities and bouncy castles. Creative workshops during the entire opening hours (included in admission). Free ARTstronaut explorer kit for an approximately half-hour tour of the sculpture park at the ticket office. Ball pit POOL temporarily closed. Strollers allowed, changing tables in the restrooms in the basement. Right next door is the child-friendly beach of Ishøj.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Ishøj St. · 25-min walk · 2.6 km
S-tog line A (toward Solrød Strand/Hundige) or E (toward Køge) to Ishøj St. (about 16 minutes from Københavns Hovedbanegård), from there a bus toward ARKEN directly to the museum (about 5 minutes) or on foot via the ARKEN WALK. Also Letbane to Ishøj Strand ARKEN.
By car
Free parking
Free parking along Skovvej; the first access road to the museum is recommended. Bicycle parking at the two access bridges to the right of Skovvej.
- Accessible parking
Footpath ARKEN WALK from Ishøj St. along red lamp posts by Jeppe Hein. Bike route from København directly to the museum; bicycles in the S-tog free of charge.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Restaurant
- Museum shop
- Lockers
Restaurant "spiseriet" on the second floor with a view over the Køge Bugt and dishes made from regional ingredients (kitchen until 16:00, Thursdays until 20:00; table reservation recommended). Umbrellas, large bags, backpacks and selfie sticks must go into the coat-check lockers in the basement. Food you bring yourself at the tables in the basement and in the sculpture park.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Corporate events
For meetings, conferences and events, the foyer, atrium, forum, lounge, concert hall, cinema and the restaurant, among others, are available.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 45 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photography for private purposes without flash allowed; professional recordings with flash or tripod only with permission. |
| Good to know | Public tours of the current exhibitions on Thursdays at 18:00 and Sundays at 14:00 (45 minutes, included in admission, meeting point at the large stone block in the foyer). Book private tours for up to 30 people (DKK 850 plus admission) at least 10 days in advance. Exhibits must not be touched. |
