GRASSI Museum für Angewandte Kunst Leipzig

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The museum was founded by citizens of Leipzig in 1873 and opened in 1874 as the second museum of decorative arts in Germany. Funded by the bequest of the merchant Franz Dominic Grassi, a first museum building was erected in 1892–1895 on what is now Wilhelm-Leuschner-Platz, which the museum shared with the ethnological museum. Under director Richard Graul (1896–1929), the collection acquired the profile that still defines it today.

In 1925–1929, the new Grassimuseum was built on Johannisplatz, one of the most modern museum buildings of its time, with Art Deco elements such as the "golden pineapple," the Pfeilerhalle (Pillar Hall) opened in 1927, and stairwell windows designed by Josef Albers. Since the 1920s, the museum has also been associated with the Grassimesse, a fair for crafts and design.

In December 1943 the complex was heavily damaged by bombs. During the GDR era only a small part of the holdings could be shown, and at times the permanent exhibition was closed entirely. After the entire building was renovated in 2001–2005, the museum returned and opened its new permanent exhibition in three tours: "Antike bis Historismus" (Antiquity to Historicism) in 2007, "Asiatische Kunst" (Asian Art) in 2010, and "Jugendstil bis Gegenwart" (Art Nouveau to the Present) in 2012. The Albers windows were reconstructed in 2011.

The collection comprises around 280,000 objects in ceramics, porcelain, glass, textiles, metal, furniture and graphic art, with a focus on Art Nouveau, Art Deco and 20th-century design. Since 2024 the permanent exhibition has been free of charge; in 2025 the GRASSI Himmel was added, a shared exhibition space of the three GRASSI museums.

Highlights

• Reconstructed stairwell windows designed by Josef Albers
• Art Deco Pfeilerhalle (Pillar Hall) from 1927
• Late Gothic carvings and historical period rooms in the "Antike bis Historismus" tour
• Chinese lacquer screen and East Asian ceramics in the gallery of the Pfeilerhalle
• Art Nouveau, Art Deco and Bauhaus design in the "Jugendstil bis Gegenwart" tour
• Record covers by Andy Warhol

Permanent exhibitions

• Antike bis Historismus – A tour through 30 rooms with around 2,000 objects from European art and cultural history, from late Gothic carvings to historical period rooms.
• Asiatische Kunst. Impulse für Europa – Lacquerware, Chinese and Japanese ceramics, and objects from Persia in two cabinets and in the gallery of the Pfeilerhalle.
• Jugendstil bis Gegenwart – Design and crafts from Art Nouveau through Art Deco and the Bauhaus to contemporary works.

Founded

1874

Operated by

Stadt Leipzig

Director

Dr. Olaf Thormann

Admission & discounts

Since 2024 the permanent exhibitions have been free for everyone; the prices apply to the special exhibitions (some smaller displays are free as well). Free admission also for members of the Freundeskreis (friends' association), members of ICOM, the DMB, the Sächsischer Museumsbund and the BBK, and press. Media guide and photo permit free of charge. A combination ticket for all three GRASSI museums is currently not offered on the official websites.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description

Two accessible parking spaces on the east side (Täubchenweg). Elevators to all exhibition rooms except part of the GRASSI Himmel. Loaner wheelchairs, charging point for electric wheelchairs in the foyer, accessible restrooms in the ticket foyer and the café foyer. Media guide for blind and visually impaired visitors as well as in Easy Language and sign language; tactile brochures in large print and Braille; sign language tours by appointment; inclusion companions through Diakonie Leipzig.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Baby changing facilities
• Kids’ birthday parties

Free children's media guide (app with "Hör und schau" and "Spiel dich schlau"); family programs, children's events and children's birthday parties. Certified as a family-friendly leisure facility; baby changing tables and step stools in the accessible restrooms.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

"Café im Grassi" with summer terrace (Tue, Thu–Sun and public holidays 12:00–17:00, Wed 12:00–18:00); GRASSI Shop with publications and design items (Tue, Thu–Sun 12:00–18:00, Wed 12:00–20:00). Free municipal Wi-Fi in the foyers.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 350 guests.

Pfeilerhalle (up to 143 people, evenings on weekdays only), library lecture room (30), cafeteria foyer (200), second-floor foyer (350), terrace with garden and two inner courtyards for conferences, receptions and private celebrations; availability is limited due to museum operations.

Plan your visit