Deutsches Theatermuseum

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The Deutsches Theatermuseum owes its existence to the actress Clara Ziegler. In 1909 she bequeathed her villa by the Englischer Garten, her fortune, and her own collection of theater objects to a foundation tasked with turning them into a theater museum. On June 24, 1910, the museum of the Clara-Ziegler-Stiftung opened its doors.

During World War II, the villa was destroyed in 1944. Because most of the holdings had been moved to safety beforehand, losses were limited, affecting mainly posters and reviews. In 1953 the foundation found a new home in the gallery wing at the Hofgarten, where the museum is still housed today. In 1979 it became an independent state museum of the Free State of Bavaria.

There is no permanent exhibition: the museum shows only changing special exhibitions on theater, dance, and opera. Behind them lies a very extensive collection of stage and costume designs dating back to the Baroque era, some 400 stage set models, paintings, autographs, programs, and reviews, as well as a theater photography collection with millions of images. A reference library of around 100,000 volumes is open for research by appointment.

Highlights

• Changing special exhibitions on the history of theater, dance, and opera
• One of the world's largest collections of theater photography
• Some 400 stage set models and an extensive graphics collection dating back to the Baroque
• Location in the arcades of Munich's Hofgarten
• Free admission for children and young people under 18

Founded

1910

Operated by

Freistaat Bayern

Director

Dorothea Volz

Admission & discounts

Prices for the exhibition "FUTURE, NOW!" (from October 14, 2026); they are set per exhibition. Free for, among others, ICOM, SIBMAS and MPZ members, the friends' association THEATERMUSEASTEN, press, and teachers (school, art and theater studies).

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: not available
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description: no information

Cabinet exhibitions on the first floor are accessible by wheelchair; mobile ramp for the steps on Galeriestraße and on the Hofgarten side. The upper floors are reachable only by a staircase with a handrail, and the restrooms on the mezzanine are not accessible. Portable folding stools at the ticket desk. Assistance animals allowed. Website with information in Easy Language (Leichte Sprache).

Kids & families

Children and teens under 18 have free admission. Large strollers are not suitable for the exhibition rooms; whether a stroller can be taken in is decided by staff on site.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Lockers

Lockers for coats, umbrellas, and bags and backpacks larger than A4. Reference library with around 100,000 volumes (Tue and Thu 11:00–17:00 by advance registration); collection holdings can be viewed on request by email.

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit