Kunsthalle Friart Fribourg
Independent art centre for contemporary art in a former cardboard factory in Fribourg's Lower Town, with free admission.
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About the museum
Kunsthalle Friart was founded in 1981 and sees itself as a reference venue for contemporary art at the meeting point of German- and French-speaking Switzerland. It is independently run and supported by an association. Its programme combines exhibitions with events and art education for a broad audience, and it regularly works with local and international partners.
It is housed in the premises of a former cardboard factory in Fribourg's Lower Town (Basse-Ville). The exhibition spaces are spread over three floors (basement, first and second floor); the top floor has an apartment for invited artists.
Over its history, the Kunsthalle has shown many important first solo exhibitions in Switzerland, including Roman Signer (1992), Bernd & Hilla Becher (1994), Thomas Hirschhorn (1995), Mark Dion (1995), Shirin Neshat (1996) and Latifa Echakhch (2010). It continues this tradition with new productions by younger artists. Artistic directors since 1981 have been Michel Ritter, Sarah Zürcher, Corinne Charpentier, Balthazar Lovay, Nicolas Brulhart and, since 2025, Kathrin Bentele.
Highlights
- Changing exhibitions of contemporary art in a former cardboard factory
- Free admission for all visitors
- First Swiss solo exhibitions by international artists
- Shop with editions, publications and posters
- Art education with guided tours and school workshops
- Founded
- 1981
- Operated by
- Verein Kunsthalle Friart Fribourg
- Director
- Kathrin Bentele
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Adults | free |
|---|
Admission is free for all visitors, made possible by the support of the Fribourg Cantonal Bank (Banque Cantonale de Fribourg).
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Due to its historic construction, the Kunsthalle is currently not accessible to people with reduced mobility; structural barriers are to be removed during renovation. The venue has signed the Aretha Charter against discrimination.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Fribourg, Neuveville/Motta
From Fribourg railway station take bus line 4 (direction Auge) to "Fribourg, Neuveville/Motta"; alternatively take lines 1, 2, 3 or 6 to "Fribourg St-Pierre" and continue by funicular to "Fribourg, Neuveville/Motta".
By car
No on-site parking at the museum.
No dedicated car park; the nearby paid multi-storey car parks are recommended.
According to the website, the funicular is out of service until 4 December 2026.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
Shop and bookshop with editions, publications and exhibition posters (editions@friart.ch).
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
The exhibition spaces on three floors can be rented for private purposes; information is in the rental dossier, enquiries by email.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours with commentary by registration (mediation@friart.ch): 15-minute introduction for 1 to 25 people CHF 50, 45 to 60 minutes for up to 10 people CHF 130 or up to 25 people CHF 180, each including admission. The school workshop "Coucou Friart!" (90 minutes) is aimed at classes of lower and upper secondary level. |
