Kunstsammlungen am Theaterplatz

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The collection's roots go back to 1860, when citizens of Chemnitz founded the Kunsthütte to promote the visual arts in the rising industrial city. As the holdings grew, the König-Albert-Museum was built on Theaterplatz to designs by Richard Möbius; it opened on September 1, 1909, uniting the collections of several art associations under one roof.

In 1937, during the Nazis' "Entartete Kunst" ("Degenerate Art") campaign, more than 700 works were confiscated. The collection was rebuilt after 1945; since 1998 the municipal institution has been called Kunstsammlungen Chemnitz.

Today the building on Theaterplatz is the main venue of a group that also includes the Museum Gunzenhauser, the Schloßbergmuseum, the Henry-van-de-Velde-Museum in the Villa Esche, the Karl-Schmidt-Rottluff-Haus, and Burg Rabenstein. On display are painting and sculpture from Romanticism to the present, including Caspar David Friedrich and Edvard Munch, with a focus on Expressionism and on Chemnitz-born Brücke painter Karl Schmidt-Rottluff. There is also an extensive collection of textiles and applied arts linked to Chemnitz's textile industry, around 28,000 works on paper, and the estate of Carlfriedrich Claus.

Highlights

• Works by Karl Schmidt-Rottluff and other Brücke artists
• Romantic painting, including works by Caspar David Friedrich
• Collection of textiles and applied arts connected to Chemnitz's industry
• Prints and drawings collection with around 28,000 sheets
• Carlfriedrich Claus Archive
• Museum building by Richard Möbius (1909) on Theaterplatz

Permanent exhibitions

• Karl Schmidt-Rottluff im Netzwerk der Moderne – Collection presentation on the life and work of the Chemnitz-born Brücke painter in the context of companions such as Erich Heckel and Ernst Ludwig Kirchner.
• Romantik und Moderne – Paintings of the 19th and early 20th centuries meet textile art and applied arts, showing how the wealth of the textile city of Chemnitz fostered art and the museum.

Founded

1909

Operated by

Stadt Chemnitz

Director

Florence Thurmes

Admission & discounts

Free admission also for visitors on their birthday, Chemnitzpass holders, and ICOM members. In the last hour before closing, 50% off day and group tickets. For particularly elaborate special exhibitions, prices may rise up to double according to the fee schedule (valid since January 1, 2025). Other museums of the Kunstsammlungen have their own admission prices (Schloßbergmuseum €8, Henry-van-de-Velde-Museum and Karl-Schmidt-Rottluff-Haus €6 each, Burg Rabenstein €4).

Accessibility

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

Accessible entry to service areas and all exhibition rooms, elevator to all levels. Guidance and information system with Braille and a tactile floor guidance system, portable seating. Accessible parking spaces on the first basement level of the underground parking. Tours for blind and visually impaired visitors with audio description and tactile objects; sign language interpreters can be arranged on request. Assistance dogs with ID permitted.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Kids’ birthday parties

Monthly family tours followed by a studio session, holiday programs (mostly ages 6 and up), and children's birthday parties. Puzzle booklet "Kunstflug" (from age 3 with an adult) available to print. Strollers are not allowed in the exhibition rooms.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Museum café during opening hours; museum shop with publications. According to the house rules, bags larger than A4, umbrellas, and food and drinks are not permitted in the exhibition rooms.

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit