Kunsthalle Mannheim

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The Kunsthalle was created for Mannheim's 300th anniversary: in 1907, Hermann Billing's Art Nouveau building on Friedrichsplatz opened, funded by an endowment from Julius and Henriette Aberle. Under its first director, Fritz Wichert, the museum began building a collection of contemporary art in 1909 – as one of the first civic museums to devote itself consistently to modernism. Early acquisitions included works of French painting, among them Manet's "The Execution of Emperor Maximilian".

His successor, Gustav Friedrich Hartlaub, coined the term "Neue Sachlichkeit" (New Objectivity) with an exhibition in 1925. In 1933 he was dismissed by the Nazis; in 1937, as part of the "Degenerate Art" campaign, they confiscated more than a hundred paintings and hundreds of works on paper. After the war, the museum worked to make up for its losses and continue the collection.

An extension was added in 1983 and later demolished. In its place, funded by a donation from SAP co-founder Hans-Werner Hector, came the new building by gmp Architekten, which opened in 2018 and is characterized by open "cubes" and views out into the city. The restored Billing building is connected to the new building.

Today the collection comprises around 2,300 paintings, more than 800 sculptures and installations and some 34,000 works on paper. It is especially renowned for its sculpture collection, ranging from Rodin and Lehmbruck to Giacometti and the present. Since April 2026, Luisa Heese has been acting director.

Highlights

• Édouard Manet: The Execution of Emperor Maximilian
• Outstanding sculpture collection from Rodin and Lehmbruck to Giacometti
• Birthplace of the term "Neue Sachlichkeit" (New Objectivity) (1925 exhibition)
• Art Nouveau building by Hermann Billing and new building by gmp (2018)
• Holdings of Expressionism and New Objectivity

Founded

1907

Operated by

Stadt Mannheim

Director

Luisa Heese (kommissarisch)

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Every first Wednesday of the month, 18:00–22:00 (MVV-Kunstabend)

Free admission includes members of the Friends association and ICOM, as well as school classes with their teachers.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description: no information

Almost entirely barrier-free; only a small part of the Art Nouveau building is not accessible to wheelchair users. Your own wheelchair is welcome, and a few manual wheelchairs can be borrowed free of charge with advance reservation. Pushchairs are allowed in the exhibitions; access may be limited for safety reasons when it is very busy. Trained and certified assistance dogs are permitted. Two disabled parking spaces are right next to the Kunsthalle (Tattersallstraße), and the “Kunsthalle” tram stop is step-free. Accessible tours and workshops – for example for people with dementia or hearing impairments – can be booked with 14 days’ notice. Information in Easy Language is available.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly
• Kids’ birthday parties

Multi-session creative courses for children (ages 5–7 and 8–11), family tours, workshops and school holiday programs; children's birthday parties for up to 12 children by advance booking. Dedicated kids' audio tour in the KuMa app. Strollers are allowed in the exhibitions; access may be limited when it is very busy.

Getting there & parking

By car, follow the "Kunsthalle Mannheim" signs from the autobahn or the Kurt-Schumacher-Brücke.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Restaurant "Luxx" in the Hector building on Friedrichsplatz; museum shop.

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit