Aargauer Kunsthaus

About the museum

The Aargauischer Kunstverein, founded in 1860 as a section of the Swiss Art Association, built up a collection of Swiss art for almost a century without having a home of its own. For a time it found space in the Gewerbemuseum next to the cantonal school. In 1959 a museum building of its own was finally erected in Aarau's government district, designed by the firm Loepfe, Hänni and Haenggli.

In 1962 an agreement regulated the cooperation: the building belongs to the Canton of Aargau, which takes care of administration and maintenance, while the art association deposits its collection in the building and looks after its expansion and the exhibition programme. The Kunsthaus is thus a partnership between the public sector and a private association.

As the holdings grew through purchases, donations and bequests, the building became too small. In 2003 Herzog & de Meuron, in collaboration with Rémy Zaugg, opened an extension that today offers around 3,000 square metres of flexibly configurable exhibition space and allows a permanent presentation of the collection. Two spiral staircases are among the museum's much-photographed landmarks; the foyer was redesigned in 2023.

Today the museum sees itself as the leading museum for art from Switzerland. The collection extends from the 18th century to the present, complemented by solo and group exhibitions on current social themes.

Highlights

• Collection of Swiss art from the 18th century to today
• Extension by Herzog & de Meuron with spiral staircases
• Around 3,000 m² of exhibition space
• Free admission on Thursdays from 5 to 8 pm
• Café basil and art bookshop in the foyer

Permanent exhibition

• Sammlungspräsentation Kunst aus der Schweiz – The museum's collection is continuously shown in changing arrangements, spanning the 18th century to the present.

Founded

1959

Operated by

Kanton Aargau und Aargauischer Kunstverein (Public-private-Partnership)

Director

Katharina Ammann

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free admission for everyone every Thursday from 5 to 8 pm

Free admission for, among others, members of the Aargauischer Kunstverein and other recognised art associations, ICOM, VMS, VKKS, SWB, with the Swiss Museum Pass, Museums-PASS-Musées, MemberPlus Raiffeisen, for artists with a visarte/IAA card, teachers, and media professionals with a press card.

Accessibility

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

Access is via a cobblestone square. A wheelchair and folding stools are available, videos are subtitled where possible, and tours are held with hearing amplification (Phonak Roger system). Programmes for people with visual or hearing impairments and for people with dementia, tours in sign language.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Regular programmes for children such as "Kunst für Kleine" and the "Kunst-Pirsch" for ages 5–8 and 9–13, an open studio, a sketchbook and the game "Kunsttypen" about the collection, as well as art birthday parties.

Getting there & parking

About a 10-minute walk from the station, along the tracks or along Bahnhofstrasse towards Olten. On the way from the bus stop to the entrance (about 100 m), two streets with pedestrian crossings have to be crossed.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

basil – café in the foyer (reservations at hallo@basil-cafe.ch); bookshop with art publications, editions and postcards in the foyer; online shop.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Private use and rental of the rooms only for closed events; occasions with a guided tour or art workshop, with an apéro or meal in the foyer on request.

Plan your visit