Vejen Kunstmuseum
Art museum in Vejen with the life's work of sculptor Niels Hansen Jacobsen and one of the most significant collections of Danish Symbolists.
About the museum
The idea for a museum in Vejen arose in the circle around the art association founded in 1905, whose founders included Vejen-born sculptor and ceramist Niels Hansen Jacobsen. After an exhibition in København in 1901 brought no buyers for his sculptures and several applications for state funding failed, he first built his own studio in 1913/14 in Skibelund Krat near Askov.
Only when Hansen Jacobsen considered moving away in 1923 did the local associations pledge their support. Behind the Troldespringvandet, unveiled the same year, a building with an octagonal domed hall for the sculptures, plus the artist's studio and apartment, was built to plans by architect N. E. Grue; the museum was inaugurated in 1924. In 1938, the Skibelund studio was moved stone by stone to Vejen and added to the museum.
After Hansen Jacobsen's death in 1941, the museum focused on contemporary art for a time. Since the mid-1990s it has again seen itself as a period museum for Symbolism and Skønvirke (Danish Art Nouveau) around 1900, collects works from the circle around Hansen Jacobsen, and once again shows his sculptures in the sculpture hall. A major expansion, funded mainly by the A.P. Møller Foundation, doubled the exhibition space; the new building and the renovated older galleries opened in July 2022 and have been fully accessible ever since.
Highlights
- Sculpture hall with works by Niels Hansen Jacobsen, including trolls and Symbolist figures
- Collection of Danish Symbolists such as Jens Lund, Ejnar Nielsen, and Anna E. Munch
- Extensive collection of glazed art ceramics from around 1900
- Rebuilt Skibelund studio from 1914
- Troldespringvandet (1923) in front of the museum
- Adventure landscape for children inspired by Ingrid Vang Nyman, with Pippi's kitchen
Permanent exhibitions
- Skulptursalen – Niels Hansen Jacobsen – In the octagonal domed hall stand the large Symbolist sculptures by the museum's founder, supplemented by smaller models that can also be touched.
- Den faste samling – dansk symbolisme – Paintings, prints, furniture, and books by the Danish Symbolists and Skønvirke around 1900 from Hansen Jacobsen's circle of friends.
- Keramiksamlingen – A study collection of glazed art ceramics by Hansen Jacobsen and his contemporaries up to the present day.
- Founded
- 1924
- Director
- Teresa Nielsen
Admission & discounts
| Adults | DKK 50 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 18 · Children and teenagers aged 0 to 18 free. |
| Seniors | –No senior discount listed. |
| Students & apprentices | –No student discount listed. |
| Groups (10+ people) | DKK 40 per personFrom 10 people; groups should register in advance by email or phone. |
| Annual pass (Årskort) | –365 days of free admission with member benefits; several variants available in the museum shop or online. |
Payment on arrival by MobilePay or in the museum shop; tickets also available online in advance.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Since the reopening in 2022, the entire building has been accessible with elevators and a lift. There are steps at the main entrance; step-free access is available from the Øster Alle side. Accessible parking spaces on Østergade. For blind and visually impaired guests, there is special programming in the sculpture hall. Service dogs are allowed, other animals are not.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 18 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
- Playground / play area
Under the motto "Børnenes Museum," the museum offers an adventure landscape inspired by Ingrid Vang Nyman (Pippi's kitchen, Pippi's horse, dress-up), the creative workshop "TroldeFoldeVærksted" for folding paper trolls, changing treasure hunts in the museum and on the museum square, and free holiday workshops, for example during the winter break (week 7).
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Parking along Østergade and Lindegade; accessible parking spaces on Østergade.
- Accessible parking
Tour buses can drop off guests on Øster Alle at the back of the building.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café: not available
- Restaurant: not available
- Museum shop
No food or drinks are sold in the museum, and outside food may not be eaten inside; picnicking is possible on the museum square and in huts in the nearby city park (Anlægget).
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 |
| Photography | Photography for private purposes is allowed without tripod and flash. |
| Good to know | Guided tours of the whole building (approx. 1 hour, max. 30 people) or introductions in the Skibelundsal (approx. 30 minutes, max. 50 people) on request: weekdays DKK 750, weekends DKK 900 plus admission, outside opening hours DKK 2,600 including admission. Workshops for schools and daycare centers; book via museum@vejen.dk or +45 79 96 69 40. |
