JANUS – Museum for Samtidskunst
Museum of contemporary art in Tistrup with changing collection shows, focusing on women artists, outsider art, and West Jutland art.
About the museum
The museum's roots go back to 1970, when committed citizens around Thyge and Bjarke Regn Svendsen created an exhibition venue for art in Tistrup. Over the decades the institution went by various names, including Vestjyllands Kunstmuseum, but always remained dedicated to art.
In 2000 the present building on Lærkevej was inaugurated, designed by the architect Søren Morns. It is named after the Roman god Janus, who looks back with one face and forward with the other and is regarded as the patron of all beginnings. The building covers about 830 square meters, of which about 550 square meters is exhibition space in four large halls and a gallery corridor. Since 2020 JANUS has belonged to the Vardemuseerne.
The collection comprises about 2,000 works, mostly art from 1950 to the present, with a focus on works by women artists, outsider art, and art from West Jutland. The museum shows it in changing exhibitions alongside works by established and young artists; the artists' summer exhibition also takes place here every year. A reading room with about 5,000 art books, magazines, and catalogs is freely available to visitors.
Highlights
- Museum building from 2000, named after the two-faced god Janus
- Collection of about 2,000 works from 1950 onward
- Focus on women artists, outsider art, and West Jutland art
- Reading room with about 5,000 art books and catalogs
- Annual artists' summer exhibition
- Founded
- 1970
- Operated by
- Vardemuseerne
Admission & discounts
| Adults | DKK 60 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Children and young people under 18 accompanied by an adult are free. |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · Companions with a Ledsagerkort (companion card) are free. |
| Groups (10+ people) | DKK 50 per personFrom 10 people. |
14-day ticket or annual passes for all Vardemuseerne at DKK 349, DKK 449, or DKK 649. Free admission with ICOM and ODM card. Schools and daycare centers visit the museum free of charge, as do teachers.
Accessibility
- 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
Wheelchair users can reach all areas of the museum.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
|---|
Children and young people under 18 accompanied by an adult have free admission.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Parking right at the museum entrance.
The museum is located on Lærkevej in Tistrup, Varde Municipality.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant: not available
- Museum shop
- Wi-Fi
JANUS Caféen with coffee, tea, cake, and lemonade; museum shop with crafts, design, art books, postcards, and delicacies. Free Wi-Fi throughout the building, reading room with art library.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours (approx. 1 hour) cost DKK 1,500 during regular opening hours; outside opening hours a special opening price of DKK 400 applies; booking via vam@vardemuseerne.dk. Dialogue-based educational programs, activities, and workshops from preschool through upper secondary school. |
