Das Fotomuseum
Camera museum in the Kulturfabrik Ilmenau-Langewiesen with over 1,000 exhibits on the history of photography and camera technology.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Das Fotomuseum is a project of the Helmut Arenz Kulturstiftung, which was founded in 2007 and has developed the Kulturfabrik in Langewiesen, now a district of Ilmenau, as a venue for exhibitions, concerts, readings and workshops.
First, an archive was created on the second upper floor with over 1,000 cameras, accessories, pictorial material and printed matter from a private collection, arranged chronologically from early plate cameras to digital technology. Later the foundation extended the museum with an exhibition on the first upper floor, which leads visitors on a tour through the history of photography – from the camera obscura to the smartphone, with curiosities and products of the central German camera industry.
In total, around 350 square metres of exhibition space are spread over two floors. Since August 2023 an online catalogue of the exhibits has been available, which is being illustrated step by step. The offering is complemented by workshops, lectures, a photo club and a "Camera of the Month" presented every month.
Highlights
- Over 1,000 cameras from more than 50 manufacturers
- Tour from the camera obscura to the digital camera
- Cameras of the central German photographic industry
- Display archive on the second upper floor
- Camera of the Month
Permanent exhibitions
- Ausstellung zur Geschichte der Fotografie – Tour on the first upper floor through the development of photography from the camera obscura to the present day, with curiosities and large-format picture examples.
- Kameraarchiv – On the second upper floor, over 1,000 cameras, accessories and printed matter from a private collection are presented chronologically, from Agfa to Zeiss.
- Operated by
- Helmut Arenz Kulturstiftung
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3Students, pupils, trainees, children, people with severe disabilities |
| Children & teens | €3free up to age 6 |
| Seniors | –No senior discount listed. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €3 |
| Students & apprentices | €3 |
| Groups (5+ people) | €7 per personGuided tour from 5 people, €7 per person |
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 6 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
Photo detective rally for children; occasional children's activities (e.g. "Türen auf mit der Maus" for 6- to 12-year-olds).
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
Up to 70 guests.
The Kulturfabrik rents out the Ilm-Saal (120 m², up to 60 people, accessible with a wheelchair-accessible toilet), the Kutscherhaus (40 m², up to 25 people, kitchen with pizza oven) and an event room on the second upper floor (140 m², up to 70 people). Prices on request.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Guided tours from 5 people by arrangement (€7 per person). Workshops, lectures and photo walks according to the annual programme with registration. |
