Museum Kunstpalast

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The Kunstpalast’s roots go back to the picture gallery of Elector Johann Wilhelm around 1700, most of whose holdings went to Munich in 1805; in the 20th century, the Kunstmuseum Düsseldorf grew out of municipal collections, donations and the tradition of the Kunstakademie (art academy).

Its home is the Ehrenhof on the Rhine, an Expressionist-Neoclassical complex of buildings erected by Wilhelm Kreis for the major GeSoLei exhibition (health, social welfare and physical exercise) in 1926. In the late 1990s, the Kunstmuseum and the Kunstpalast were transferred to a foundation operated as a public-private partnership; the conversion based on plans by Oswald Mathias Ungers was completed in 2001.

Today the holdings comprise some 130,000 objects spanning eleven centuries: paintings, sculpture, graphic art, applied art, photography, time-based media and one of the largest glass collections in Europe. After a comprehensive modernization, the collection was re-presented in November 2023 under the title “Alles Kunst?!” (All Art?!), placing Old Masters alongside design and everyday objects.

Since 2017 the museum has been led by Felix Krämer; its crowd-pleasing temporary exhibitions have recently brought record attendance. The ensemble also includes the Robert-Schumann-Saal for concerts and stage programs, as well as its sister institution, the NRW-Forum.

Highlights

• Collection presentation “Alles Kunst?! Von Aldi bis Rubens” (All Art?! From Aldi to Rubens) with around 800 works
• Rubens’ “Assumption of the Virgin” (long-term loan from the Kunstakademie)
• Glasmuseum Hentrich, with one of the largest glass collections in Europe
• Düsseldorf School of Painting and art after 1945
• Ehrenhof buildings by Wilhelm Kreis (1926)
• Free admission for children and young people under 18

Permanent exhibitions

• Alles Kunst?! Von Aldi bis Rubens – A newly conceived collection presentation with around 800 works on more than 5,000 square meters, placing masterpieces side by side with everyday objects; parts are rotated regularly.

Founded

1961

Operated by

Stiftung Museum Kunstpalast

Director

Felix Krämer

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free admission to the collection every first Thursday of the month, 18:00–21:00 (except on public holidays).

Free admission for, among others, members of the friends’ association, Düsselpass holders, unemployed people and recipients of social benefits, and ICOM members. On Saturdays, 2-for-1 for Stadtsparkasse Düsseldorf cardholders. Reduced admission with an NRW-Forum ticket from the same day. If the online allocation is sold out, tickets may be available at the ticket desk depending on demand.

Accessibility

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

Elevator next to the main entrance with an automatic door, elevators to all levels. One accessible parking space in the inner courtyard (access via Inselstraße/Ehrenhof by ringing the bell). Loaner wheelchairs and folding stools at the coat check (please reserve wheelchairs in advance). No accessible route from the Campus parking garage to the museum. Guided tours for blind and visually impaired visitors and for people with dementia. Certified under “Reisen für Alle” (Travel for All) (December 2024).

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Free loaner Tonieboxes with a children’s audio tour for ages 3 to 8, plus a scavenger-hunt card for the collection, the child-friendly “Rhino Tour” and hidden rooms behind little doors. Guided tours and workshops for children and families, birthday parties and the children’s website “Rhino Palast”. Go-karts and tricycles can be borrowed free of charge in the courtyard (children only with adults). With a stroller, use the elevator next to the main entrance.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers
• Wi-Fi

Café and restaurant “Anna Maria”, bar in the Creamcheese room, museum shop, library with reading room. Free coat check on the 2nd basement level, lockers taking a €1 coin.

Events & venue rental

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

Up to 796 guests.

Six event spaces: Robert-Schumann-Saal (up to 796 seats, 240 for banquets), Robert-Schumann-Saal foyer (250), ERGO foyer (200), gallery level (150), TEEKANNE-Belvedere (199) and Peter-Michael Engel foyer (100).

Plan your visit