Kunstmuseum Bonn

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The roots of the Kunstmuseum go back to the late 19th century: its foundation was the private collection of Bonn physician Franz Obernier, which was displayed as a municipal museum in the Villa Obernier. A deliberate collecting policy only began in 1949, however, when the then director Walter Holzhausen acquired two major works by August Macke, establishing Rhenish Expressionism as a focus.

For decades, the museum was housed in cramped quarters in the city center. As Bonn was expanded into the federal capital, a new building went up on what is now the Museumsmeile: following an architectural competition in 1985, Berlin architect Axel Schultes designed a light-filled building with a generous staircase and flowing sequences of rooms. It opened in 1992 and is now regarded as a key work of museum architecture from that period.

Alongside classical modernism, the museum consistently collects German art after 1945, including extensive groups of works by Gerhard Richter, Sigmar Polke, Georg Baselitz, and Joseph Beuys, whose multiples are represented here in one of the largest public collections in Europe. Under directors Dieter Ronte and Stephan Berg, photography, installation, and video art were added. Since December 2025, the museum has been directed by Claudia Emmert; in addition to its collection, it regularly presents temporary exhibitions of contemporary art.

Highlights

• Major holdings of works by August Macke
• Rhenish Expressionism, including Franz M. Jansen and Carlo Mense
• German art after 1945, including Gerhard Richter, Sigmar Polke, and Georg Baselitz
• Extensive collection of Joseph Beuys multiples
• Museum building by Axel Schultes (1992) on the Museumsmeile

Permanent exhibitions

• Menschen und Geschichten. Die Sammlung der Klassischen Moderne – New presentation of the classical modernism holdings with August Macke and the Rhenish Expressionists, told through people and their life stories.
• Kraftfelder. Neue Perspektiven aus der Sammlung – Multi-year collection presentation that places works of art after 1945 in new contexts.

Founded

1985

Operated by

Bundesstadt Bonn

Director

Claudia Emmert

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free admission every first Sunday of the month (sponsored by the Stiftung Kunst der Sparkasse in Bonn)

Temporary exhibitions are generally included in the ticket price; for exhibitions involving higher costs, admission may be up to double. Free admission for, among others, refugees with proof and teachers accompanying school visits.

Accessibility

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

Extra-wide entrance doors next to the revolving doors; elevator (80 cm wide) to all three levels; loaner wheelchairs at the cloakroom on the lower level; glasses for red-green color-blind visitors can be borrowed at the ticket desk; website in Easy Language; accessible parking spaces at Helmut-Kohl-Allee 2–4, on Emil-Nolde-Straße, and in the parking garage.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly
• Kids’ birthday parties

On Sundays, "Atelier am Sonntag" (11:15–13:15) for all ages, a painting studio for children with parents, programs for daycare centers and schools, and children's birthday parties with a discovery tour and hands-on studio work (up to 12 guests, 2 to 3 hours). Loaner strollers at the cloakroom on the lower level.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

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

Café KuMu in the museum; Walther König museum bookshop; free cloakroom on the lower level (large bags and backpacks must be checked); free Wi-Fi "Bonn.Nett"; folding stools available to borrow.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties: not available
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies: not available

Up to 200 guests.

Foyer (up to 200 people) and auditorium (198 seats) for corporate and informational events, conferences, and concerts; private celebrations such as birthdays or weddings are not permitted. Private photo shoots (e.g., wedding photos) in the foyer and outdoor area with permission.

Plan your visit