NRW-Forum Düsseldorf

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The building belongs to the Ehrenhof ensemble, which Wilhelm Kreis designed in 1925/26 with Expressionist brick facades for the major GeSoLei exhibition. From 1928 it housed the Reichsmuseum für Gesellschafts- und Wirtschaftskunde (Reich Museum of Social and Economic Studies), and after World War II, from 1951 until the early 1990s, the Landesmuseum Volk und Wirtschaft, whose show mine in the basement drew many visitors.

After renovation, the building opened in October 1998 as the "NRW Forum Kultur und Wirtschaft," backed by the state, the city, the trade fair company and businesses. It became known above all for major photography and fashion exhibitions. When the state withdrew its funding in 2013, the city of Düsseldorf continued running the venue as NRW-Forum Düsseldorf.

From 2015, artistic director Alain Bieber refocused the program on photography, pop and digital culture, launched festivals such as Düsseldorf Photo and the META Marathon, and opened a virtual annex for digital exhibitions. Since 2020 the NRW-Forum has been part of the Stiftung Museum Kunstpalast. It has no collection of its own and presents group and solo exhibitions that deliberately do not draw a line between high culture and pop culture.

Highlights

• Temporary exhibitions on photography, pop culture and digital art
• Part of the listed Ehrenhof ensemble by Wilhelm Kreis (1926)
• Kinetic entrance installation "HELLO / BYE" by the design lab aerosoap
• Food and concerts at PONG in the foyer

Founded

1998

Operated by

Stiftung Museum Kunstpalast

Director

Felix Krämer (Generaldirektor der Stiftung Museum Kunstpalast)

Admission & discounts

Visitors with a Kunstpalast ticket for the same day can buy an add-on ticket for the NRW-Forum at the ticket desk. On Saturdays, 2-for-1 for Stadtsparkasse Düsseldorf cardholders. Free admission for, among others, members of the Kunstpalast friends' associations, holders of the Art:card, Düsselpass and artist's card, unemployed people, Bürgergeld (basic income support) recipients and ICOM members.

Accessibility

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

Step-free side entrance at the back of the building (Joseph-Beuys-Ufer/Oederallee) with a doorbell, automatic door and elevator; two elevators serve all levels. Accessible unisex restroom on the first floor. Two accessible parking spaces on Joseph-Beuys-Ufer. Loaner wheelchairs on advance request, folding stools. Guided tours for wheelchair users, in German Sign Language (DGS), for blind visitors with tactile objects and in Easy Language (Leichte Sprache) by appointment. Certified under the "Reisen für Alle" scheme (December 2024).

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly

Family tours and workshops for children are offered together with the Kunstpalast and booked through its web shop. With a stroller, use the elevator at the rear entrance. Free admission under age 18.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

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

PONG – Popkultur & Gastro in the foyer (Tue–Thu 11:30–15:30, Fri–Sun 11:30–17:30). Free coat check, lockers with a €1 coin.

Events & venue rental

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

Up to 350 guests.

R-Forum on the upper floor (221 m², up to 199 people), the upper-floor foyer (213 m², up to 100 people) and PONG on the first floor (up to 350 people with a flying buffet); technical equipment on request. PONG also hosts weddings and parties.

Plan your visit