Kollwitz Museum Köln

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The collection was founded in 1983, when the Kreissparkasse Köln savings bank bought some 60 drawings from the artist's estate that would otherwise probably have been scattered at auction. After further acquisitions from family holdings, the collection was shown publicly for the first time on April 22, 1985, the 40th anniversary of Käthe Kollwitz's death, initially on the bank's former executive floor. This made it the first museum devoted exclusively to this artist; its founding director was her granddaughter Jutta Bohnke-Kollwitz.

In early 1989 the museum moved into its own rooms, designed by Hans Schilling, with about 1,000 square meters of exhibition space on the top floor of the Neumarkt-Passage. Under longtime director Hannelore Fischer, the holdings grew to include the complete sculptural oeuvre, more than 300 drawings and more than 550 prints; catalogues raisonnés of the prints and the sculptures were also produced. Katharina Koselleck has headed the museum since 2022.

From early 2023 to fall 2025, the exhibition rooms were closed for a complete renovation, while major works were shown in international exhibitions and a pop-up space in Cologne and guest appearances in other museums filled the gap. In October 2025, the museum reopened with new climate control and lighting and a newly hung collection display. The admission fees also allow the operator to support the Käthe-Kollwitz-Haus memorial in Moritzburg.

Highlights

• The world's most extensive Kollwitz collection, including her complete sculptural work
• Preparatory drawings for the cycles "Ein Weberaufstand" (A Weavers' Revolt), "Bauernkrieg" (Peasants' War) and "Krieg" (War)
• Rare early pastels and drawings for the magazine Simplicissimus
• Numerous self-portraits from all phases of her career
• Late works on the theme of death

Founded

1985

Operated by

Kreissparkasse Köln

Director

Katharina Koselleck

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free admission for everyone on the first Thursday of every month

Free admission also for refugees and their companions; members of ICOM, the Museumsbund, the Kunsthistorikerverband, the Ulmer Verein, BVMP, IGBK and BBK; Cologne-based artists; and the press. Admission fees support the Käthe-Kollwitz-Haus Moritzburg memorial.

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
• Audio description: no information

Access via the glass elevator in the Kollwitz Forum; another elevator inside the two-story museum; all exhibition rooms step-free. Low-barrier restroom with baby changing facilities in the museum, accessible restroom on the first floor of the Kollwitz Forum (access via QR code from the museum ticket desk or the Sparkasse information desk). Loaner wheelchair at the ticket desk, portable folding stools. Media stations partly accessible from a wheelchair, partly with a read-aloud function in plain language; assistance dogs allowed. Website information in Easy Language and sign language.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly

Discovery tours and public guided tours for children, workshops with drawing, printmaking and sculpting; daycare workshops from age 4 (preschool groups from age 5). Strollers are allowed in all rooms.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop
• Coat check

Museum shop with publications. Coats, umbrellas and bags larger than A4 must be checked at the cloakroom; separate room for suitcases and group luggage.

Events & venue rental

No information on venue rental found on the website.

Plan your visit