Vendsyssel Kunstmuseum

About the museum

The museum was founded in 1963 as Hjørring Kunstmuseum and in 1970 moved into the former central library building on Brinck Seidelins Gade, whose reading room Niels Larsen Stevns had painted in 1936 with six large frescoes on the history of Vendsyssel. In 1981 the museum received state recognition, and in 2000 it received its present name.

Since 2003 the museum has been located in the former Bechs Klædefabrik of 1894 on P. Nørkjærs Plads. The architect Anna Maria Indrio of the firm C.F. Møller transformed the industrial buildings into bright, open exhibition spaces on four floors with about 3,000 square meters. In 2009 an extension was added, connected to the old building by a glass corridor and serving as a knowledge center for Niels Larsen Stevns; the frescoes themselves remained in the old building. The museum is furnished with furniture by the designer Poul Kjærholm, who grew up in Vendsyssel.

The collection focuses on modern Danish art with a connection to North Jutland: paintings by Svend Engelund, Johannes Hofmeister, Poul Winther, and Poul Anker Bech, plus sculpture, prints from the Hjørring lithography workshop, and textile, silver, and ceramic art, for example by Tove Anderberg. Each year the museum shows three to four special exhibitions.

Highlights

• Landscape painting by Svend Engelund and Johannes Hofmeister
• Niels Larsen Stevns Videnscenter in the 2009 extension
• Converted cloth factory of 1894 with architecture by Anna Maria Indrio
• Furniture by Poul Kjærholm in the museum rooms
• Ceramics collection by Tove Anderberg

Permanent exhibitions

• Sammlung: Kunst aus Nordjütland seit 1945 – Painting, sculpture, prints, and crafts by artists with a connection to Vendsyssel, often shaped by the landscape and the North Sea coast.
• Niels Larsen Stevns Videnscenter – In the 2009 extension, changing presentations on Niels Larsen Stevns with his own works, preparatory studies for his Hjørring frescoes, and loans from other museums.

Founded

1963

Director

Sine Kildeberg

Admission & discounts

With a RealDania voucher, 25% discount. The museum shop is accessible without an admission ticket.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is accessible to everyone; an elevator reaches all four floors. A wheelchair is available free of charge, two accessible restrooms (basement and second floor). Assistance dogs and guide dogs allowed. Guided tours for blind and visually impaired people on request; autism-friendly visit preparation (AutismeGoTo).

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

Free art suitcases for ages 4 to 10 and detail-hunt sheets at the museum shop, open creative workshop on the second floor, regular family workshops and family tours (ages 5–12, about 30–45 min., included in admission). Strollers are allowed in the exhibitions; baby changing table in the basement.

Getting there & parking

On foot or by bike, the museum recommends the route via P. Nørkjærs Plads from Østergade.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

No café of its own; the museum shop offers water, coffee, and tea with pastries. Food you bring yourself may be eaten in the workshop and the sculpture courtyard. Lockable lockers in the basement (tokens at the museum shop); large bags and umbrellas must be left there.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Museum rooms can be rented for receptions, meetings, and similar events; inquiries at +45 98 92 41 33 or info@vkm.dk.

Plan your visit