Ludwig Forum für Internationale Kunst

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The museum's roots go back to 1968, when the Aachen collector couple Peter and Irene Ludwig first showed American Pop Art publicly in the city on a large scale. In 1970 this led to the “Neue Galerie – Sammlung Ludwig” in the Altes Kurhaus, headed by founding director Wolfgang Becker until 2001.

In 1991 the growing collection moved, as the Ludwig Forum für Internationale Kunst, into a former umbrella factory on Jülicher Straße. The clinker brick building with rounded corners was built in 1928 by Josef Bachmann in the Neues Bauen (New Objectivity) style for the Emil Brauer umbrella factory; after the company moved out in 1988, the city of Aachen acquired the listed building, and Fritz Eller's firm converted the large sawtooth-roofed hall into exhibition spaces.

The collection reflects the Ludwigs' worldwide collecting activity: alongside Pop Art and Hyperrealism from the United States, works from Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union were added from the late 1970s, and later from Cuba, Latin America and China. Today the museum sees itself as a place for art from several world regions, complemented by an extensive video art collection, a library and a program of performance and education.

Following directors such as Harald Kunde, Brigitte Franzen, Andreas Beitin and Eva Birkenstock, Rebekka Seubert has headed the municipal museum since March 2026. Since May 2026 a design transformation process has accompanied the gradual opening and reorganization of the spaces; at the same time, a costly renovation of the glass roof and climate control system is pending, with no schedule yet.

Highlights

• Duane Hanson: hyperrealistic sculpture “Supermarket Lady”
• Pop Art from the Ludwig Collection with works by Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein
• Franz Gertsch: large-format painting “Medici”
• Jonathan Borofsky's large sculpture “Ballerina Clown” on the museum building
• Video art collection, including Nam June Paik's installation “Earth, Moon, Sun”
• Listed umbrella factory in the Neues Bauen style (1928)

Founded

1991

Operated by

Stadt Aachen

Director

Rebekka Seubert

Admission & discounts

Free admission also for apprentices of the city of Aachen and holders of the Aachen-Pass.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• 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

Exhibition rooms, library and art workshop can be reached step-free via the parking lot or main entrance; two elevators, wheelchair-accessible restrooms in the basement.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

Workshops and courses for children and families; “Mit Baby ins Museum” tour for parents with babies in their first year. Children's birthday parties from age 3 (with parents), themed workshops (2–3 hours) for children from age 6 through the Museumsdienst Aachen.

Getting there & parking

Via the A544 to Europaplatz or the A4 (Würselen exit, Krefelder Straße toward the center).

Amenities & dining

Reference library on art (Tue–Fri 13:00–17:00). Current information on a café and museum shop cannot be found on the website.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Up to 200 guests.

Available for rent is “The Space,” a 450 m² event room in the basement with stage, lighting equipment and flexible seating (up to 200 people), suitable for concerts, dance and theater; also a seminar room for up to 30 people. Inquiries through the city of Aachen's Service-Point Kultur (+49 241 432-4920/-4925).

Plan your visit