Göteborgs konstmuseum

About the museum

The roots of the art museum go back to 1861, when the Göteborgs Museum was formed in the Ostindiska huset (East India House). In 1865 the Göteborgs Konstförening (Gothenburg Art Association) donated its collection, consisting mainly of Düsseldorf School paintings, and this became the foundation of the art collection. The wholesaler Bengt Erland Dahlgren left a larger sum in 1876–1878, which became the basis of the museum's acquisition fund.

The building at Götaplatsen was designed by the architects Arvid Bjerke and Sigfrid Ericson and was completed in 1923 for the Jubileumsutställningen (Jubilee Exhibition). The art museum moved in and opened there in 1925. The architecture is characterised by ancient Rome and 1920s classicism. The building was extended in 1968 and 1996, when a new entrance hall and the Hasselblad Center were added, and it became a listed building in 2017.

The collection has been built up through donations, among others from Pontus and Göthilda Fürstenberg, Werner Lundqvist, Gustaf Werner and Jonas Kjellberg, and through Konstmuseets Vänner (the Friends of the Art Museum). The museum shows Nordic art, the Gothenburg Colourists and international masters, as well as a collection of 3,000 children's book illustrations. According to the museum, a comprehensive renovation and extension is planned, with closure in 2028 and reopening in 2032.

Highlights

• Works by Picasso, Monet and van Gogh
• Nordic art, including Carl Larsson and Edvard Munch
• The Gothenburg Colourists
• The collection of children's book illustrations
• The building from 1923 on Götaplatsen

Permanent exhibition

• Samlingen – The museum's collection of Nordic art, the Gothenburg Colourists and international masters such as Picasso, Monet and van Gogh, on floors 5 and 6, among others.

Founded

1861

Operated by

Göteborgs stad (Göteborgs konstmuseum)

Admission & discounts

Free admission for visitors under 20 and for students, except for exhibitions with supplements. The Hasselblad Center exhibitions are included in the standard admission. Payment is cashless by card or Swish; online purchases incur a service fee.

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 main entrance has steps, but a ramp to the left around the corner leads all the way up. There are two lifts; the large one reaches all floors and can also take larger wheelchairs. Some parts, including the half-level at the Skulpturhallen and the Sergelgalleriet on floor 5, can only be reached by stairs. Wheelchairs can be borrowed at reception, and folding stools are on several floors. An accessible toilet and a changing table are on the ground floor. A hearing loop is in the lecture hall. The museum offers tours with sign language and audio description, and a sensory bag is available from reception. Companions have free admission. Disabled parking for permit holders is at Göteborgs Stadsteater, Götaplatsen and Göteborgs konserthus.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

Baby viewings for visitors with children up to crawling age, Saturdays in the Studion (creative activity for children aged 5–12), and the leaflet Nyfiken på konst (Curious about Art) for children's own discoveries. Prams may be taken in; parking spaces are at the entrance and at reception.

Getting there & parking

Blasting work takes place regularly in the area, and sensitive visitors are advised to be aware of this.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers
• Wi-Fi

Restaurant Mr P runs a café in the museum with the same opening hours as the museum. Free Wi-Fi (network culturewifi-free, no login required). Free lockers at the entrance for larger bags, which may not be taken into the exhibition halls.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit