Munchmuseet

About the museum

When Edvard Munch died in 1944, he had four years earlier bequeathed everything he left behind to the Municipality of Oslo. The gift comprised more than 28,000 artworks, together with texts, letters, photographs and personal belongings that lay scattered across his property at Ekely. In 1946 the municipality decided to build a museum of its own, and after a long debate about the location, Munchmuseet opened at Tøyen in 1963.

The building at Tøyen soon became too small and poorly suited to house such valuable art. In 2004 The Scream and Madonna were stolen from the museum, and they were recovered two years later. After the theft, security was greatly upgraded, but in 2008 the city nevertheless decided to move the museum to a new and larger building.

Since 2021 the museum has been housed in a tall new building by the fjord in Bjørvika, with 13 floors and eleven exhibition halls. The collection today consists of nearly 28,000 artworks, of which over 26,000 are by Munch himself, and the museum manages a total of more than 42,000 objects. In addition to the Munch legacy, it holds the collections of Rolf Stenersen, Amaldus Nielsen and Ludvig O. Ravensberg.

The museum shows five collection exhibitions of Munch's own art, including The Scream, Madonna and The Sun, and places him in the context of his contemporaries. Contemporary art, modernism, concerts and activities for children and young people also have a permanent place in the programme.

Highlights

• The Scream, one of the versions of the world-famous motif, is always on display
• Over 200 works by Edvard Munch are on permanent display
• Monumental, a two-storey hall with Munch's largest paintings
• Skygger (Shadows), an interactive exhibition about the person Edvard Munch
• Restaurant, bar and roof terrace with views of the fjord and the city

Permanent exhibitions

• Edvard Munch Uendelig – A journey through Munch's artistic career with his best-known works. The exhibition is on the 4th floor.
• Edvard Munch Monumental – Munch's largest paintings are shown in a magnificent hall spanning two floors, on the 6th floor.
• Edvard Munch Skygger – An interactive exhibition that gets close to the person Munch and his life at Ekely, on the 7th floor.

Founded

1963

Operated by

Oslo kommune (Kulturetaten)

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Wednesday of the month 18:00–21:00 (not in July, August and September).

The standard adult admission is NOK 220, and tickets bought online can cost from NOK 200. Members have free admission and may bring one guest. Oslo Pass and ICOM give free admission. The ticket applies to all exhibitions, and it is recommended to buy it online in advance.

Accessibility

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

The museum has step-free access, lifts and seating throughout the building, and was built to universal design standards. Wheelchairs can be borrowed in the lobby. There are accessible toilets in the lobby and on the 3rd, 6th, 12th and 13th floors. Three reserved parking spaces are located on the east side of the Opera at Oda Krohgs bru. There are guide lines in the lobby and a hearing loop in the event rooms. Guided tours with sign language interpretation and audio description are arranged separately, and the audio guide includes videos in sign language.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Baby changing facilities

The exhibitions have experiences for children, including peepholes with the children's own stories and a search for the mouse Herr Storm. The museum organises holiday workshops, baby tours and art days for children. Strollers may not be taken up to the exhibition halls but can be used in the lobby and café. Baby carriers and sports strollers are available to borrow, and there is stroller parking at the main entrance. Changing rooms are on the 3rd, 6th, 12th and 13th floors.

Getting there & parking

Bicycle parking is available outside the museum, and there are city bike stands at Sukkerbiten, Rostockgata and Bjørvika. It is possible to drive over Oda Krohgs bru and stop at the entrance to drop off passengers.

Amenities & dining

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

Free Wi-Fi (MUNCH-guest) throughout the museum. Café in the lobby, restaurant on the 12th floor and bar with roof terrace on the 13th floor. Lockable lockers in the lobby take hand luggage up to 55 × 40 × 23 cm.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 500 guests.

The Festsalen hall holds 160 to 500 people, the Toppsalen with roof terrace 64 to 150 people, and the amphitheatre 48 people.

Plan your visit