Kirsten Kjærs Museum

About the museum

The physicians John Anderson and Harald Fuglsang, who had previously worked in West Africa for eight years, settled in 1978 on a small farm near Frøstrup in Thy to build a museum there for the painter Kirsten Kjær (1893–1985). In 1980 the friends' circle Kirsten Kjærs Venner handed over its paintings to the newly founded Kirsten Kjærs Fond, and the museum opened on May 15, 1981. It sees itself as the only Danish museum so far dedicated to a female artist.

Kirsten Kjær came from Vester Thorup in Thy, had her breakthrough as a portrait painter in California, and later traveled to places including Lapland, Iceland, Poland, Tunisia, and Liberia. She described herself as a painter of people. Her life as a divorced, independent artist with bohemian traits ran counter to the conventions of her time.

Over about three decades the modest farm grew into a rambling complex of buildings with galleries, workshops for printmaking, ceramics, and sculpture, and guest apartments for artists. Since about 1983, side galleries have shown changing exhibitions of contemporary art, and later the concert hall John's Hall with 150 seats was added. In 2003 the founders transferred the buildings and land to the foundation; the private museum is largely run by volunteers and has received an annual grant from the Thisted Kommune since 2022. The collection also includes works by Paul Beckett, a ceramics collection, and a memorial room for the two founders.

Highlights

• Largest collection of paintings and drawings by Kirsten Kjær
• Rooms of their own for the painter Paul Beckett, who lives in Andalusia
• Mindestuen with a film about Kirsten Kjær and objects from West Africa
• Sculpture garden in a quiet landscape near the North Sea
• Children's area BØRNEHØJDE for painting and hanging up their own pictures
• Concert hall John's Hall with concerts and lectures

Permanent exhibitions

• Kirsten Kjær – Portraits and landscapes by the painter from Thy, created in places including the USA, Lapland, Iceland, Poland, and Liberia.
• Maleren Paul Beckett (1922-1994) – Works by the painter, who worked mainly in Andalusia, in rooms of their own, complemented by an educational room on his life.
• Mindestuen – Memorial room for the museum founders Harald Fuglsang and John Anderson with personal objects, parts of the West African collection, and a film about Kirsten Kjær.

Founded

1981

Operated by

Kirsten Kjærs Fond

Director

Susan Hinnum (daglig leder)

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

In the BØRNEHØJDE area, children can paint and draw for free; their works are hung in the museum. Children's workshops are offered during the fall school holidays.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in a rural setting near Frøstrup in Thy, a few kilometers from the North Sea coast.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

Café with coffee, tea, cake, lemonades, ice cream, and snacks, made as far as possible with organic and regional ingredients. Museum shop with original prints, books, and regional products. Food you bring with you can be eaten in the covered picnic area and in the garden; dogs on a leash are allowed in the garden.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit