Cologne is one of the top addresses for artists and art-lovers from all over the world. The outstanding and worldwide important collections of the major museums make this city on the Rhine an artistic capital. Every day the numerous galleries, the international art fairs and the lively artist scene profoundly influence the cultural life of the city. Festivals, artists’ studios, exhibitions and shopping venues propel art, photography and design into every quarter. The mix of modern architecture and historic buildings make Cologne a vibrant place which is constantly re-inventing itself.
The most extensive Pop Art collection in Europe. The third biggest Picasso collection in the world. One of the best collections of German Expressionism. One of the internationally most important collections on photography. In this museum one superlative follows the other. A generous donation of 350 works of modern art by Peter and Irene Ludwig to the city of Cologne formed the basis for the foundation of the museum in 1976. Since then the museum which bears the name of its founders, has constantly extended its collections and today has one of the most important collections of art from the 20th and 21st centuries worldwide. A tour of the museum will introduce you to important names from the last 100 years, will highlight major artistic positions, will present beautiful and also provocative works which have made history and will continue to do so.
The design department of the MAKK has a Europe-wide reputation – this is the only place you will find a dialogue between art and design within the permanent collection! The variety of objects, styles, materials and themes is reflected in exhibitions and events. For instance Drive-it Day, Hotspot and Open-Air-Exhibition for connoisseurs of automobile design from all over Germany. As a museum of design and art the museum profoundly influences Cologne as a design location. The Museum of Applied Arts is an ambassador for design.
The museum founded in 1985 by the Kreissparkasse Köln houses the worldwide biggest collection of works by this important German artist. Apart from her complete sculptural work it has more than 300 drawings, 600 prints – among them the graphic cycles and extremely rare proofs – and all her posters. War, poverty and death but also love, security and the struggle for peace are the themes expressed by Käthe Kollwitz with great urgency in her works. On 1,000 squaremeters' exhibition space the collection displayed provides new insights into her life and work. In addition, fascinating special exhibitions and a varied accompanying programme await the visitor.
Private guided tours through the collection or special exhibition should be arranged with the museum two weeks in advance.
The park, which extends over 40,000 squaremeters within the city centre, is an oasis of calm and contemplation, a place where you can directly experience contemporary sculpture. The sculpture park is situated in the northern part of the old town on the banks of the Rhine not far from the Zoobrücke. This unique open-air museum was founded in 1997 on the private initiative of the collector couple Michael and Eleonore Stoffel. The park presents modern contemporary outdoor sculpture in hanging exhibitions. You stroll between works by internationally renowned artists from Anish Kapoor to Heimo Zobernig. Entrance to the sculpture park is on Riehler Straße.
First Sun in the month at 3 pm public guided tour. Enquiries about private guided tours should be addressed to Stiftung Skulpturenpark Köln.
Free admission
he August Sander Archive which was acquired in 1992 provided the impulse for the founding of the institution and determines the direction of its activities. With regard to Sander’s objective and concept-oriented photography the collection was expanded to include works in keeping with his approach by other historically important and contemporary artists such as Bernd and Hilla Becher, Karl Blossfeldt, Jim Dine and Candida Höfer. High quality photographic exhibitions are presented in the premises of the foundation which correspond to museum standards. The SK Stiftung is one of the most exciting venues in the Cologne photo scene.
Private guided tours of current exhibitions and exclusive presentations of specific works can be booked on www.photographie-sk-kultur.de
Since it was re-designed both architecturally and conceptually in the year 2008 the Tanzmuseum is more than ever a place of special encounter with dance art. Annually changing thematic exhibitions are presented which are intended to provide users with information about dance above and beyond the everyday. Changing exhibitions encourage visitors to explore anew and in different ways the sources of the fascination exerted by dance art, how the present and past in dance mutually enliven each other and how the one is interwoven with the other.
Private guided tours should be booked two weeks in advance at the Tanzmuseum.
The Kölnischer Kunstverein has been presenting contemporary art of the day since 1839. Many of the artists exhibited at an early stage – for example, Hans Arp (1919) or Paul Klee (1932) – have become established masters in the history of art. Exhibitions such as “Happening und Fluxus” (1970) wrote exhibition history. In recent times the Kölnischer Kunstverein has again and again shown outstanding artists together with promising talented painters in a fascinating mix. Thus for almost 180 years the Kunstverein has made a unique contribution to the question: what is new art?
Info / Tickets / Events: www.koelnischerkunstverein.net
Cologne boasts many examples of outstanding architecture which our expert guides will be delighted to introduce you to. ArchiPedes are guided walking tours exploring examples of excellent architecture. The ArchiTaxi gives you the opportunity to experience modern architecture in a small group. The exclusive ArchiHeli is a perfect venue for airborne discussions on the city’s architecture, while the charming ArchiBoat provides new perspectives and views of Cologne from the Rhine.
Info / Tickets / Guided Tours: www.archipedes-koeln.de
Cologne is an important art centre with a stunning number of contemporary art galleries, studios and other exciting venues where art is created. The city’s art scene gives you the opportunity to get to know more about art on a daily basis. Catch up on the various different options by contacting the artists.
Info / Events / Addresses:
www.kunstwerk-koeln.de
www.offene-ateliers-koeln.de
www.koelner-galerien.de
A city tour of the most important highlights of modern architecture attunes you to this art capital. After a short visit to Cologne Cathedral and its famous stained glass window by Gerhard Richter you continue on foot to Museum Ludwig. A tour by qualified guides introduces you to the highlights of the collection, from the Expressionists and Picasso to Warhol and present-day art. You may even find enough time for the special exhibition. After a “creative break” at the Museumscafé you could visit the Skulpturenpark Köln to the north of the city centre. Alternatively, you may opt for a quick detour to the Belgisches Viertel with its trendy shops, pubs and restaurants. Your choice depends on the weather. In the evening, you choose from the rich variety of current cultural events to enjoy a concert or a night at the theatre or opera.
After breakfast, you go the Museum für Angewandte Kunst (Museum of Applied Arts) to discover the history of design since 1900 on a tour by an experienced guide. The museum’s café in the inner courtyard is not to be missed on a sunny day. The afternoon is devoted to the contemporary gallery and design scene where you have the opportunity to explore the current artistic trends in Cologne.
The city is famous for its lively photography scene. The Photographische Sammlung (Photographic Collection) in the Mediapark always offers exciting exhibitions. If you are interested in dance, a quick detour to the Tanzmuseum (Dance Museum) in the same building is recommended. If you enjoy walking you could include the Gerlingviertel on your way back to the city centre. This district near the impressive church of St. Gereon is an architectural ensemble from the 1950s and has on several occasions served as a film set. Back in the centre, make sure to have a look at the modern stained glass windows by Markus Lüpertz in St. Andreas near the Cathedral.