Museum Art.Plus

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The two-story Neoclassical building was erected in 1841 by the Donaueschingen Museumsgesellschaft with the support of the princely House of Fürstenberg; at the time, the term “museum” referred to a social meeting place for readings, concerts, and balls. After a fire, the building was rebuilt. In the 20th century, it served as troop quarters, a municipal spa hall, and finally, until 2006, as a movie theater.

Schwenningen entrepreneur Margit Biedermann acquired the building and had architects Gäbele & Raufer carefully renovate it in just 13 months, adding an extension of black lightweight concrete that echoes the symmetry of the old building. The museum opened in September 2009 as Museum Biedermann; in 2015, it was given its current name, Museum Art.Plus. The conversion has won several awards, including the German Architecture Prize (Deutscher Architekturpreis).

The museum has no permanent exhibition; instead, it shows contemporary art in changing presentations: a larger group or thematic exhibition in the main building, usually running for about a year, and several shorter solo exhibitions in the so-called 2-Raum, including a sound installation each year for the Donaueschinger Musiktage festival. Alongside international artists, regional artists are regularly featured. The historic Hall of Mirrors (Spiegelsaal) is used for concerts, lectures, and weddings; in front of the building, Paul Schwer’s installation “Gulff” glows in the Brigach.

Highlights

• Neoclassical museum building from 1841 with an award-winning extension
• Historic Hall of Mirrors with chandelier and stucco ceiling
• Installation “Gulff” by Paul Schwer in the Brigach in front of the building
• Annual sound installation for the Donaueschinger Musiktage
• Currently free admission

Founded

2009

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

According to the website, admission is currently free, with no end date given. The regular price list, which is still published, states: adults €6, reduced €4 (seniors, people with disabilities, young people, trainees, university students), children up to 12 free, family €12, groups of 10 or more €5 (reduced groups €3), annual pass €22 (family €35, reduced €14). Free admission also with the Oberrheinischer Museums-PASS and the DreiWelten-Card.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• 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

Accessible parking spaces on the east side of the museum (access via Prinz-Fritzi-Allee). No further accessibility information is available on the website.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Kids’ birthday parties

FamilienRallye with puzzles and creative stations (booklet €4, about 1 hour); “Nature Unlimited” workshop for children ages 8 to 12 (2 hours, Fri–Sun, also bookable as a children's birthday party), further workshops with the Kinder- und Jugendmuseum Donaueschingen. Tours for daycare groups and elementary school classes are free.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop with catalogs and sales of the Museums-PASS.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 80 guests.

Hall of Mirrors (165 m², up to 80 seats) for civil and non-religious wedding ceremonies, concerts, seminars, readings, award ceremonies, and press conferences; rooms, vaulted cellar, and forecourt also available for photo and film shoots. Prices on request.

Plan your visit