ARoS Aarhus Kunstmuseum

About the museum

The roots of ARoS go back to the Aarhus Kunstforening, which was founded in 1847 as the first art association outside the capital. In January 1859, the association showed its paintings to the public for the first time in the attic of the city hall of the day – a date regarded as the beginning of what would become Aarhus Kunstmuseum. In 1877 the collection moved into a museum building of its own, and in 1967 into a new building by C. F. Møller in Vennelystparken.

When this building too became too small, a new building on Vester Allé was decided on. The firm Schmidt Hammer Lassen won the competition in 1997, the museum received its present name in 2003, and in April 2004 the cube-shaped building with nine floors opened. Ron Mueck's giant crouching figure "Boy" quickly became a favorite with the public.

In 2011, Olafur Eliasson's walkable, ring-shaped glass walkway "Your rainbow panorama" was added on the roof; it shows the city in rainbow colors and has been a landmark of Aarhus ever since. The extension "The Next Level" added a new exhibition gallery and James Turrell's walk-in light space "As Seen Below – The Dome," which opened in 2026.

Today the collection comprises more than 8,000 works of Danish and international art from the Golden Age to the present. In addition, ARoS shows several major special exhibitions every year and is one of the most visited museums in Denmark.

Highlights

• Olafur Eliasson: "Your rainbow panorama" (2011) on the roof
• James Turrell: "As Seen Below – The Dome," a walk-in Skyspace
• De skjulte rum: light, video, and installation art in the basement
• Ron Mueck: "Boy" (1999, on loan until March 2027)
• Collection of Danish and international art with more than 8,000 works

Permanent exhibitions

• As Seen Below – The Dome, a Skyspace by James Turrell – The largest Skyspace built to date by the American light artist: a walk-in domed space where light and sky become the artwork. Included in admission.
• Your rainbow panorama – Olafur Eliasson's circular glass walkway on the museum roof bathes the view over Aarhus in every color of the spectrum.
• De skjulte rum – In the basement (level 0), large-scale light, video, and installation works by international artists, including James Turrell, Pipilotti Rist, and Janet Cardiff and George Bures Miller.

Founded

1859

Director

Rebecca Matthews

Visitors per year

approx. 650,000 (2025)

Admission & discounts

Admission also includes James Turrell's "As Seen Below." Subscribers to the newsletter get 10% off online tickets. Annual passes: the ARoS annual pass and ARoS30 for people under 31 resident in Denmark. The café, Orangery, and shop are accessible without admission.

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: no information
• Audio description: no information

Elevator to the entrance beneath the stairs on Aros Allé and to all exhibition levels as well as to "Your rainbow panorama." Wheelchairs can be borrowed at the information desk. Wheelchair-accessible restrooms on level 4 (café), level 3 (auditorium), and levels 8 and 9 (rooftop pavilion). Eight accessible parking spaces; with a valid permit, parking is free in all ARoS parking lots. Only guide dogs and assistance dogs allowed.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly
• Playground / play area

Free admission for everyone under 18. Regular 45-minute family tours ("Børnetimen"), school-holiday programs, and offerings for parents with babies ("Kunst på barsel"). Strollers can be borrowed. Between ARoS and Musikhuset is the free art playground PARIS by the artist FOS. Children's menu in the café.

Getting there & parking

Rental bikes (Donkey Republic) and e-scooters (Voi) are available in the city center.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers
• Wi-Fi

ARoS Café and ARoS Orangery (lunch, weekend brunch, dinner menu Tue–Fri). Coat check on level 4 with lockers (DKK 20 deposit token). Free Wi-Fi throughout the building.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 150 guests.

Meeting rooms and auditorium for companies; dinners and private celebrations on the upper floors: Restaurant (up to 150 people), Sunset Lounge (up to 45), and Art Lounge (up to 20). Contact: event@aros.dk.

Plan your visit