In 2026, the Museum of the 20th Century is scheduled to open at the Kulturforum, another important location for contemporary art in Berlin. You will then see around 4,000 works from the National Gallery's collection, as well as works from individual private collections. But Berlin, the art metropolis, already has a lot to offer. In addition to the Gropius Bau and Hamburger Bahnhof, Berlin has many exciting events, programmes and places where you can discover and experience contemporary art. And there's also plenty of art and culture to discover in the city itself. Our 11 tips for art lovers!
Tip 1: Gallery Weekend
The annual Gallery Weekend in Berlin is one of the most important art events of the year - and not only in Berlin. Many galleries open their doors and invite you to talk to and about artists and their work. Get an overview of the contemporary art scene, discover new things and meet old friends again. The Gallery Weekend is also a good opportunity for newcomers and those who just want to get a taste of the world of contemporary art.
When: Opening on 13 September 6 - 10 pm, festival Saturday 14 September 12 - 6 pm and Sunday 15 September 11 am - 6 pm
Where: various locations in Berlin
Tip 2: Berlin Art Week
With a colourful programme, Berlin Art Week presents contemporary art for everyone together with the most important players on the Berlin art scene. The major museums and institutions will be there, as well as project spaces, galleries, art associations and private collections. Workshops, discourse rounds, concerts and other events provide a good introduction. Numerous tours invite you to discover Berlin's contemporary art scene throughout the city. The tours also take you out into the neighbourhoods - and to exciting places that may be a little out of your everyday radius. Definitely the biggest and most important event for art enthusiasts.
When: 11 September - 15 September
Where: various locations throughout the city of Berlin
Tip 3: Berlinische Galerie
If you are interested in art from Berlin and Berlin artists, then you should definitely plan a visit to the Berlinische Galerie. The Berlinische Galerie collects and exhibits art created in Berlin from 1870 to the present day. Epochs such as Dada Berlin, Neue Sachlichkeit (New Objectivity), the Eastern European avant-garde as well as the art of the divided Berlin and the reunited metropolis are part of the permanent exhibition, supplemented by contemporary art, changing project series and cooperation projects. A lively mix with offerings for all ages.
When: Wednesday to Monday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. (Tuesday closed)
Where: Alte Jakobstraße 124-128, Kreuzberg
TICKETS FOR THE BERLINISCHE GALERIE
Tip 4: KW Institute for Contemporary Art
Founded in the early 1990s in a former Magarine factory, KW Institute for Contemporary Art has since become a permanent and important institution for contemporary art in Berlin. In addition to cooperation programmes with national and international partners such as MoMA PS1 in New York, the Biennale di Venezia or Documenta in Kassel, exciting projects are also realised with the local creative scene, such as screenings, readings, discussion rounds and much more. The focus is always on a critical view of current processes of social change.
Tip: KW Institute is also always part of the Berlin Biennale for Contemporary Art. Here, different formats by renowned curators are realised at various locations in Berlin, including many experimental formats.
When: Wednesday to Monday 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Thursday 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Where: Auguststraße 69, Mitte
KW INSTITUTE FOR CONTEMPORARY ART
Tip 5: KINDL Centre for Contemporary Art
Where beer was once brewed is now an exciting meeting place for everyday culture and the art scene. In the listed brick buildings, you can expect international contemporary art as well as an exciting supporting programme that repeatedly involves the neighbourhood and the local art scene, for example during "48 hours Neukölln".
The Maschinenhaus, Kesselhaus and especially the tower offer an impressively brutal backdrop for space-specific large-scale installations. In the former brewhouse you can dine between the shiny copper brewing kettles. In summer, Babette's garden invites you into the inner courtyard.
When: Wednesday 12 - 8 p.m., Thursday to Sunday 12 - 6 p.m.
Where: Am Sudhaus 3, Neukölln
KINDL CENTRE FOR CONTEMPORARY ART
Tip 6: Academy of Arts
Anna Seghers, Helene Weigel and Bertolt Brecht: they all worked here. Today, their living and working spaces under the roof of the Akademie der Künste are open to visitors. Founded in 1669, the Academy in Berlin is one of the oldest European cultural institutes. Its various programmes and sections deal with the visual arts and architecture, music, literature, performing arts, film and media art. At both locations of the academy, you can gain insights into the current art scene in changing exhibitions, lectures and concerts.
When: the building is open daily from 10 am - 8 pm, opening hours of the exhibitions vary
Where: Paris Platz 4, Mitte
When: the building is open daily from 10 am - 8 pm, opening hours of the exhibitions vary
Where: Hanseatenweg 10, Tiergarten
ACADEMY OF THE ARTs (Akademie der Künste)
Tip 7: House of World Cultures
Above all, the House of World Cultures is an open house. With its unusual architecture and prime location directly on the Spree, the HKW invites critical exchange and offers a forum for contemporary arts. Here you can experience exhibitions, concerts, readings and performances, partly in the building, partly on the roof terrace at sunset. In addition to musicians, authors and artists, academics and experts from all fields of work and life are also involved in the programming.
When: daily 12 - 7 pm (closed on Tuesday)
Where: John-Foster-Dulles-Allee 10, Tiergarten
HOUSE OF WORLD Cultures (Haus der Kulturen der Welt)
Tip 8: König Gallery
Founded in 2002 by Johann König, the gallery of the same name now also has branches in Vienna, London and Seoul. Galerie König currently presents 40 artists with a focus on interdisciplinary, conceptual and spatial approaches, and the works find sufficient space in the rooms of a former church. Architect Werner Düttmann, who designed and built the church of St. Agnes in Brutalist style from 1964 to 1967, is incidentally also responsible for the building of the Academy of Arts on Hanseatenweg or the Bridge Museum.
When: Wednesday - Saturday 11 am - 6 pm
Where: Alexandrinenstraße 118-121, Kreuzberg
Tip 9: Boros Collection
Another exciting building conversion is the Boros Collection, housed in a former bunker. The private collection of contemporary art by the couple Karen and Christian Boros is on display, and you can see different sections of the collection in changing presentations. Unlike the König Gallery, which sees itself as a sales gallery, you need to book a ticket for the Boros Collection.
When: Thursday - Sunday 10 am - 8 pm
Where: Reinhardtstraße 20, Mitte
Tip 10: Wilhelm Hallen and Rathenau-Hallen
If you're interested in the conversion of listed buildings, here are a few more tips for you. Hangars 2 + 3 of the former Tempelhof Airport have been converted into an art gallery by the Stiftung Kunst und Kultur, naturally with plenty of space for expansive sculptures. Check our event calendar for art exhibitons here and elsewhere in Berlin.
In Oberschöneweide, walk along a riverside path along the Spree connecting the Culture and Technology Centre in the Rathenau Halls over to the Reinbeck Halls, which hosted the Lost Art Festival, among other things, and the Berlin University of Applied Sciences (HTW Berlin). An alliance that is intended to fuel creativity and a start-up atmosphere.
Where: Rathenau Culture and Technology Centre, Wilhelminenhofstraße 83-85, Oberschöneweide
When: Tuesday to Sunday 11am - 6pm (closed Monday)
Where: Reinbeckhallen, Reinbeckstraße 11, Oberschöneweide
When: Thursday & Friday 4 - 8 pm, Saturday & Sunday 11 am - 8 pm
MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE RATHENAU-HALLEN
New life has also moved into the old Winkelhof iron foundry, a listed ensemble in Reinickendorf. Architects, designers, artists, music producers and marketing experts now work here between brick and iron framework. The Mehdi Chouakri Gallery has its third location in Berlin here - and regularly organises art and cultural events in the spacious rooms, often in cooperation with others, for example during Berlin Art Week.
When: 7 to 15 September 11am - 8pm (closed Monday, Tuesday)
Where: Kopenhagenerstraße 60-72, Reinickendorf
Tip 11: Tips for Urban Art
By the way, it's also worth keeping your eyes open on the way from one cultural institution to another. In principle, the whole of Berlin is one big open-air gallery. You'll find sculptures everywhere in the capital, such as the Oval Butterfly on the Spiegelsee in front of the House of World Cultures or the Boxers by Keith Haring on Potsdamer Platz. At Oberbaumbrücke, the light installation Rock, Scissors, Paper refers to the history of the bridge as a border crossing between East and West. We have put together the best walks for art lovers.
Tip: If you are interested in street art and murals, you can find a map with the best starting points for your urban art discovery here. We've also put together the best routes for you in our ABOUT BERLIN app.
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