Kunsthaus NRW Kornelimünster

About the museum

Since 1948, the state of North Rhine-Westphalia has been purchasing works by artists from the state – initially also to provide financial support to artists who had been ostracized during the Nazi era. From these support purchases, supplemented by art holdings from state authorities and the former Prussian administration, a collection of around 5,000 works by more than 1,300 artists has grown, ranging from the early 20th century to the present.

In 1976 the ministry chose the former imperial abbey of Kornelimünster as the location. The Benedictine abbey, founded in 814, was dissolved in 1802; its Baroque, multi-winged conventual building with inner courtyards now belongs to the state, while the Gothic abbey church remained a parish church. Under the title "Kunst aus NRW," the collection was shown here for almost four decades.

Since 2015, Marcel Schumacher has directed the museum, which has since operated as Kunsthaus NRW Kornelimünster and re-examines the collection in annually changing presentations. In 2022 the state transferred the museum, the Landesbüro für Bildende Kunst and the Artothek to a non-profit company. In addition to the collection, temporary exhibitions of young artistic positions and a sculpture garden can be seen; admission is free.

Highlights

• Art from NRW from Beuys, Polke and Richter to young positions
• Baroque building of the former imperial abbey of Kornelimünster
• Sculpture garden on the abbey grounds
• Collection presentations that change every year
• Free admission

Permanent exhibitions

• Sammlungspräsentation – Zwischenspiel – New presentation of works from the state collection on the upper floor of the abbey, on view until further notice.
• Skulpturengarten – Sculptures and installations from the collection and by guest artists in the garden of the monastery complex.

Founded

1976

Operated by

Kunsthaus NRW – Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Bildenden Kunst gGmbH (Land NRW)

Director

Marcel Schumacher

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Workshops for groups of 90 minutes or more; free cancellation up to 48 hours in advance.

Accessibility

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

Old building: the upper floor with the collection presentation can only be reached by stairs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Four family days a year (International Museum Day, last Sunday in July, Open Monument Day, first Sunday of Advent), holiday workshops for ages 4 to 18, interactive tours for ages 6 and up, children's birthday parties and the mailbox route for self-guided exploration.

Getting there & parking

By car: A44, exit Aachen-Brand, then toward Brand/Kornelimünster about 4 km to the town center. The stops are a 5–10 minute walk away.

Amenities & dining

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

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit