Through February 21, 2027
Silver Egg. Die Sinnlichkeit der Medienkunst
An exhibition on the sensory dimension of media art at the intersection of technology and philosophy.
ZKM | Zentrum für Kunst und Medien Karlsruhe
International center for media art in a historic munitions factory in Karlsruhe – with exhibitions, a games collection and a media theater.
Opening hoursAdmission from €14 Wheelchair accessible Café
Current exhibitions
Through May 21, 2028
The Story That Never Ends. Die Sammlung des ZKM
A long-term presentation of the ZKM collection that also shows how technology-based artworks are preserved and restored.
Through January 10, 2027
Der Fernseher als Galerie. Das Archiv Gerry Schum und Ursula Wevers
A look into the archive of the pioneers who produced art specifically for television in the late 1960s.
Through October 18, 2026
The Schlamm Is Everywhere
An exhibition on rescuing and preserving cultural heritage after natural disasters.
Through June 27, 2027
Hans Hollein. Car Building
A show centered on a project by the Austrian architect Hans Hollein on mobility and architecture.
Through August 8, 2027
William Forsythe. Choreographic Instructions
Installations by the choreographer William Forsythe in the public space around the ZKM.
From October 23, 2026
Agentic Constellations. Kartografie des Verborgenen
An exhibition that uses data visualizations to make the hidden structures of artificial intelligence visible.
From November 28, 2026
Hidden on Tape. Frühe Videokunst in Europa
An overview of the beginnings of video art in Europe from the late 1950s to the 1990s.
About the museum
The ZKM was founded in 1989 by the city of Karlsruhe and the state of Baden-Württemberg as an institution meant to bring together art and new media in research, production and exhibitions. Its founding director was the art historian Heinrich Klotz. An originally planned new building designed by Rem Koolhaas was never realized; instead, the center found its home in an industrial monument.
The hall building, some 312 meters long, was built between 1914 and 1918 to plans by Philipp Jakob Manz as a weapons and munitions factory. In the 1990s the Hamburg firm Schweger + Partner converted it and added the shimmering blue cube at its front end. The ZKM opened here in October 1997; the same building also houses the Hochschule für Gestaltung (University of Arts and Design) and the Städtische Galerie (municipal gallery).
After Klotz’s death, Peter Weibel took over as director in 1999 and shaped the institution for over two decades with major thematic exhibitions on media, science and society. Since April 2023 the British curator Alistair Hudson has directed the ZKM. In 2017 the previously separate Media Museum and Museum of Contemporary Art were merged into a joint exhibition structure.
The collection is among the most important for media art worldwide: it ranges from video works of the 1960s and interactive installations to electronic music and computer games. A key focus is the preservation and restoration of technology-based artworks.
Highlights
- Listed hall building of a former munitions factory with a blue media cube
- One of the world’s largest media art collections
- zkm_gameplay: permanent games exhibition with more than 50 playable games
- Guest exhibition of the Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe with masterpieces from the late Middle Ages to the 20th century
- Free admission to the exhibitions on Fridays from 14:00
Permanent exhibitions
- zkm_gameplay. the next level – A games exhibition with more than 50 playable computer and video games from the 1970s onward.
- playABLE. zkm_gameplay Level 5 – An extension of the games exhibition focusing on accessible and inclusive gaming.
- See You. Begegnungen mit der Kunsthalle Karlsruhe – Guest exhibition of the Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe with masterpieces from the late Middle Ages to the 20th century while its main building is being renovated.
- Founded
- 1997
- Operated by
- Stiftung ZKM (Land Baden-Württemberg und Stadt Karlsruhe)
- Director
- Alistair Hudson
- Visitors per year
- approx. 260,000 (2018)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €14 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €10Holders of a severe disability ID (Schwerbehindertenausweis), university students, apprentices, volunteer-service participants, holders of the Ehrenamtskarte (volunteer card) or Karlsruher Pass, groups of 10 or more, and visitors arriving with certain public transport tickets (including the Deutschlandticket and Jugendticket BW) |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Children and young people under 18 free (funded by the state of Baden-Württemberg) |
| Seniors | –No separate senior discount listed |
| Visitors with disabilities | €10companion free · Reduced admission with a severe disability ID (Schwerbehindertenausweis) |
| Students & apprentices | €10Students of the HfG Karlsruhe free |
| Groups (10+ people) | €10 per personReduced admission for groups of 10 or more; guided tours can be booked separately |
| Families | €262 adults with children under 18 |
| Evening ticket (from 16:30, ages 18 and up) | €8 |
| Annual pass | –Various annual passes available |
Free admission: Every Friday from 14:00
The ticket is valid for all ZKM exhibitions and the guest exhibitions of the Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe. Free admission for, among others, members of the friends’ association, ICOM members, the press and holders of the Museums-PASS-Musées.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours
- Easy-to-read materials
- Audio description
Elevators in the foyer and in the atriums; accessible restrooms in the foyer and in atrium 8+9 (1st floor). Three accessible parking spaces at the Lorenzstraße entrance, more in the underground parking garage with an elevator to the foyer. Wheelchairs, rollators and strollers can be borrowed at the information desk. Regular low-barrier guided tours (Plain Language, sign language, audio description, sensory tours). Contact: barrierefrei@zkm.de
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | €26 · 2 adults with children under 18 |
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
- Stroller-friendly
- Baby changing facilities
- Kids’ birthday parties
Workshops and family programs as well as artistic birthday workshops (e.g. coding, painting with light, animation). Interactive media art and the video game exhibition “gameplay” invite visitors to try things out. Free admission under 18. Strollers allowed, bike trailers not; baby changing tables in the women’s and men’s restrooms in the foyer.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
ZKM
Tram line 2 from Hauptbahnhof (approx. 6 min.) or from Europaplatz (approx. 5 min.) to the “ZKM” stop; bus line 55 from Hauptbahnhof to the “Holtzstraße” stop.
By car
Paid parking
Paid “ZKM” parking garage with approx. 700 spaces, entrance at Südendstraße 44; one EV charging station.
- Accessible parking
From the A5, take the “Karlsruhe Süd” exit, then head toward the city; from the A65/B10, take exit 4 and follow the “ZKM” signs.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant: not available
- Museum shop
- Coat check: not available
- Lockers
Bistro café “mint” in the foyer (Wed/Thu 11:00–17:00, Fri–Sun 11:00–18:00). ZKM shop, library and media lounge. Lockers in the foyer (€1 coin or token).
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
The foyer, media theater, lecture hall and seminar room are available for rent, including outside opening hours; guided tours on request. Contact: event@zkm.de
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photography for private purposes is permitted in the foyer and in the exhibitions, without tripods or professional equipment; commercial photography by prior arrangement (presse@zkm.de). |
| Good to know | Guided tours and workshops for groups and school classes via fuehrungen@zkm.de or workshops@zkm.de (school classes must register at least 7 days in advance). No backpacks or drinks in the exhibitions; bags up to A4 size allowed. Dogs only in the foyer, assistance dogs everywhere. Public guided tours usually last 60 to 90 minutes. |
