Kunstmuseum Bremerhaven

About the museum

Founded in 1886, the Kunstverein Bremerhaven has been committed from the outset not only to exhibiting but also to collecting. It performs this task, unusual for an art association, on behalf of the city, which does not maintain a municipal art museum of its own. The foundation was laid in 1908 by a bequest from Bremen of 34 19th-century paintings, including works by Oswald Achenbach. Later came pictures by Worpswede artists such as Otto Modersohn, Paula Modersohn-Becker, Heinrich Vogeler and Fritz Overbeck; some of the older holdings were lost in World War II.

Since 1964, the association has had its own building for temporary exhibitions, the Kunsthalle on the Karlsburg, designed by Gerhard Müller-Menckens. From the late 1960s, it systematically expanded the collection with contemporary art – first with positions from the circle of the Zero group, later with works by Gerhard Richter, Blinky Palermo, Ulrich Rückriem, Stephan Balkenhol and Karin Kneffel.

To be able to show this long barely visible collection permanently, the Kunstmuseum opened right next to the Kunsthalle in 2007: a compact cube of dark clinker brick on the site of a former indoor swimming pool. On around 700 square meters across three floors, the association presents changing selections from more than a hundred years of collecting history. In 2025, it received a sizable body of contemporary art with the Schröder donation. Since June 2026, the museum's rooms have been gradually rehung, while the Kunsthalle is temporarily closed for renovation.

Highlights

• Works by Worpswede artists, including Paula Modersohn-Becker and Heinrich Vogeler
• Works by Gerhard Richter and Blinky Palermo
• Sculptures by Stephan Balkenhol
• Schröder donation of contemporary art (2025)
• Free admission on Thursdays 16:00–18:00

Permanent exhibitions

• Aus der Sammlung – Neue Räume im Kunstmuseum – Since June 2026, the rooms have been gradually rehung with works from the association's collection, including new acquisitions and the Schröder donation; the opening installment is a selection of works by Stephan Balkenhol on the first floor.

Founded

2007

Operated by

Kunstverein Bremerhaven von 1886 e.V.

Director

Julia Bokermann (kommissarische Leitung)

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free admission on Thursdays 16:00–18:00

Free admission also for members of art associations, ICOM members and the press.

Accessibility

• 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

According to the museum, the Kunstmuseum is accessible; the (currently closed) Kunsthalle can be reached by elevator on request.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

In the KunstKarussell format, children and adults explore the current exhibition at the Kunstmuseum together and then create their own works. The Kids' Club (ages 6–10) combines an exhibition tour with a workshop, but is tied to the Kunsthalle's exhibitions.

Getting there & parking

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

Amenities & dining

Bistro "Caspar David & Co." on the first floor of the neighboring Kunsthalle (please check before your visit whether it is open during the renovation).

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit