Exhibition venue for modern and contemporary art in Philip Johnson's only museum building in Europe, with a sculpture park.
October 17, 2026 – February 21, 2027
The second part of the collaboration, placing historical and contemporary positions from both collections in new visual relationships.
The Kunsthalle Bielefeld opened in 1968. The cubic building with its red sandstone facade was designed by the American architect Philip Johnson in the International Style – it is his only museum in Europe. A large share of the construction costs was borne by the entrepreneur Rudolf-August Oetker.
Even before the opening, a dispute broke out over the name: Oetker wanted the building named after his stepfather Richard Kaselowsky, who had been a member of the Nazi party (NSDAP) and part of Himmler's circle of friends. After protests, including from Hans Werner Henze, the city council rejected the name. Only in 2017 was a memorial plaque supplemented with information on Kaselowsky's role under National Socialism.
The collection focuses on 20th- and 21st-century art, with works by Picasso, Beckmann, and artists of the Blauer Reiter (Blue Rider); the sculpture park features works by Rodin, Moore, and Serra, among others. Major temporary exhibitions, such as the one on Emil Nolde in 2008, drew tens of thousands of visitors.
Since 2020 the museum, which is run by a nonprofit operating company, has been directed by Christina Végh. A general renovation based on plans by Caruso St John has been approved; the Kunsthalle is to close for around two years during construction, and the start has been postponed several times.
| Adults | €10 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €4School pupils and students aged 18 and over, volunteer service participants, people with disabilities (degree of disability 50 or higher) |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Free for children and teens under 18. |
| Seniors | –No senior discount listed. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €4companion free · Degree of disability 50 or higher. |
| Students & apprentices | €4Free on Wednesdays 19:00–21:00. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €8 per person |
| Families | –No family ticket; free for under-18s. |
| Annual pass | €50Reduced €30. |
| Public guided tour | €3.50Plus admission; Sundays at 11:30 and 16:00, Wednesdays at 19:00. |
Free admission: Free admission for school pupils and students on Wednesdays 19:00–21:00.
Free admission for members of the Förderkreis (friends' association), holders of the Bielefeld-Pass, and companions of people with disabilities.
Step-free access from the Adenauerplatz light rail stop, elevators to all exhibition levels, accessible restroom in the café.
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
|---|
Children and teens under 18 get free admission. Open program on Saturdays for children aged 5 to 12, family workshops, tours for parents with babies, open studio and Sunday studio, creative courses from age 3 (accompanied), and half-day holiday programs for 6- to 12-year-olds. Children's birthday parties with an exhibition visit and studio work (2–2.5 hours) can be booked.
Adenauerplatz
Adenauerplatz light rail stop, with step-free access to the Kunsthalle from there.
Café Gemach Manhattan (Tue–Sun 9:00–18:00). Art library Tue and Thu 14:00–18:00, Wed 11:00–13:00 and 14:00–18:00.
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Public guided tours on Sundays at 11:30 and 16:00 and on Wednesdays at 19:00 (€3.50 plus admission). Free media guide. School programs from €45, daycare programs from €40. |
All 8 museums in Bielefeld All museums in North Rhine-Westphalia
Cookies help you use this website. We only load the map and statistics with your consent.