Kunstmuseum Olten

About the museum

The museum's beginnings go back to 1846: the Olten municipal council then bought two works by the political draughtsman and caricaturist Martin Disteli (1802–1844), laying the foundation for a public art collection. From 1902 there was an exhibition room in the old schoolhouse at Kirchgasse 10, and in 1905 it was decided to expand the Disteli collection into a general art collection, initially with a focus on artists from the region. The Kunstverein, founded in 1914, brought works by Frank Buchser, Albert Anker and Cuno Amiet into the holdings.

The former residential and commercial building at Kirchgasse 8 was gradually converted into the Kunstmuseum between 1955 and 1977; in 1965 the Martin-Disteli-Museum was given its present name, Kunstmuseum Olten. The charming but run-down building places tight limits on exhibition activity. Since 2018 the museum has also used a former service room on Platform 7 of Olten station for contemporary art, and since 2020 it has housed the private Stiftung für Kunst des 19. Jahrhunderts.

The collection consists almost exclusively of Swiss art of supra-regional importance, with works of the avant-gardes of the 19th and 20th centuries and regional positions. Its focus is the Disteli estate with an extensive graphic collection, as well as estates of, among others, Hans Küchler, Meinrad Peier and Otto Morach. The city is planning a new location; the earlier plans for a new building at Kirchgasse 10 were abandoned in 2025.

Highlights

• Estate and graphic collection of the caricaturist Martin Disteli
• Swiss art of the avant-gardes of the 19th and 20th centuries
• Estate of Otto Morach and other artists' estates
• Foundation for 19th-century art with Romanticism and early Realism
• Branch "Dienstraum" on Platform 7 at Olten station

Permanent exhibition

• Sammlung des Kunstmuseums Olten – Works from the collection with a focus on Swiss art are shown in changing arrangements, mostly on the mezzanine (3rd floor).

Founded

1902

Operated by

Stadt Olten

Director

Katja Herlach (ad interim)

Admission & discounts

Free admission with the Swiss Museum Pass, Raiffeisen customer card, AIAP (visarte), VKKS, ICOM/VMS, membership of the Kunstverein Olten and the SKV sections, the Friends of the Kunstmuseum Olten, the Friends of the Stiftung für Kunst des 19. Jahrhunderts, and with the Infocard.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• 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

The museum is not wheelchair accessible throughout: only some of the rooms on the ground floor can be reached without steps, and the upper floors are accessible only by stairs. Special arrangements can be made on request.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Materials for looking at art together (games, puzzles, activity booklets, craft suggestions) are available in the rooms and at reception. The Open Studio for young and old, the Kunst-Lupe children's club and family tours take place regularly.

Getting there & parking

About a 10-minute walk from Olten station, for example along the Aare via Ländiweg, Holzbrücke, Hauptgasse and Kirchgasse. Olten is the zero point of the Swiss rail network; the museum lists train connections from certain destinations of no more than 35 minutes.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Mini museum cafeteria with drinks and reading material; postcards, posters and catalogues are available at reception.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

The museum provides a setting for receptions, conferences, aperitifs, family celebrations, children's birthday parties and weddings, and puts together a suitable programme on request.

Plan your visit