June 27, 2026 – January 10, 2027
Mindset Los Angeles – Frank Gehry und die Cool School
The exhibition sheds light on Gehry's ties to the artists of the so-called Cool School in 1960s Los Angeles.
Marta Herford
Museum of contemporary art, architecture and design in Herford – housed in an expressive brick building by Frank Gehry.
Opening hoursAdmission from €10 Wheelchair accessible Café
Current exhibitions
June 27, 2026 – November 8, 2026
Mindset Los Angeles – Werke aus der Sammlung Schürmann
Complementary presentation with works from the Schürmann collection on the Californian art context.
About the museum
The impetus came in the mid-1990s from the idea of creating a venue for furniture and design in Herford, a center of the furniture industry. In 1998 the city decided to finance a new building on the site of a former textile factory on the Werre river; the design was by the American architect Frank Gehry.
The deconstructivist building of red clinker brick and stainless steel opened in 2005. Five galleries of varying heights, with a combined exhibition space of around 2,500 square meters, are grouped around a central dome some 22 meters high. The name Marta combines the words museum, art and ambiente (ambience) or architecture.
The founding director was the Belgian curator Jan Hoet, who deliberately opened the museum beyond pure furniture design to contemporary art. Under Roland Nachtigäller (2009–2021), Marta established itself with exhibitions at the intersection of art, architecture and design. Since 2022 the museum has been directed by Kathleen Rahn.
Marta mainly shows changing exhibitions and is building up its own collection of contemporary art. It is run by a non-profit company owned predominantly by municipal companies.
Highlights
- Museum building by Frank Gehry (2005)
- Domed hall around 22 meters high at its center
- Changing exhibitions on art, architecture and design
- Free admission for everyone under 18
- Founded
- 2005
- Operated by
- MARTa Herford gGmbH
- Director
- Kathleen Rahn
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €10 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €5Apprentices, job seekers, people with a severe disability rating (GdB) of 50 or more, holders of certain cards |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 18 · Free up to age 18 |
| Seniors | –No senior discount listed |
| Visitors with disabilities | €5Reduced for a disability rating (GdB) of 50 or more (€5–7.50) |
| Students & apprentices | €3People in education or training aged 18 to 27 |
| Groups (10+ people) | €6.50 per person |
| Annual pass | €30 |
| Annual pass for couples | €50 |
| Annual pass + one person | €60 |
Free admission: Free admission on your birthday
Reduced tickets €5.00, €5.50 or €7.50 depending on eligibility. Free admission for, among others, members of the friends' association, ICOM members and holders of the DB-Art-Card.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Step-free access via ramps and elevator, two accessible restrooms, free loaner wheelchairs, folding stools in the exhibition rooms; assistance dogs with proof allowed.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 18 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
Open area Marta HOCH 2 (third floor) with free activities, including an obstacle play course for daycare children and toddlers with an adult (every last Tuesday); workshop "Kunstentdecker*innen" (Art Explorers) on Saturdays for ages 6 and up.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Bahnhof Herford · 3-min walk · 300 m
Herford station (IC/ICE), from there on foot via Bahnhofstraße, Fürstenaustraße and Goebenstraße.
By car
Parking available
A few visitor parking spaces at the museum; opposite, the Elsbach Areal parking garage (approx. 500 spaces). 4 bus parking spaces on the Marta grounds.
Via the A2 (exit Herford/Bad Salzuflen, B 239) or the A30 (exit Kirchlengern).
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
Marta Café (Wed 11:00–20:00, Thu–Fri 11:00–18:00, Sat–Sun 10:00–18:00).
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
Seminar room, foyer and bar available for rent to companies, agencies and private individuals; contact eventlocation@marta-herford.de.
Inquiries & details
