Kunsthalle Basel

Why go

This is a place to encounter new work and exhibition ideas in a building made for artists and audiences to meet. Its nineteenth-century origins in Basel's art associations give context to the contemporary programme, while its position by the theatre makes it easy to fold into an arts-focused walk.

What to look for

• Changing exhibitions of contemporary art
• The nineteenth-century Kunsthalle building
• Its location beside Theater Basel and opposite Stadtcasino

The full story

Kunsthalle Basel grew out of nineteenth-century associations formed to support art in the city. Its building was constructed between 1869 and 1872, partly funded through revenue from Rhine ferry services. At its opening, the ambition was to bring artists and art lovers into closer contact. That purpose still helps distinguish a Kunsthalle from a collection museum: the rooms are given over to changing projects and new work, so there is no single permanent display to seek out. The institution also has a place in Basel's museum history. Before Kunstmuseum Basel opened, public art collections were shown here. Today the building's older civic role and its current experimental programme sit side by side. The same rooms can offer a markedly different visit from one exhibition to the next. Checking the current programme is therefore part of deciding whether the stop suits your interests.

Useful to know

• Look up the current exhibition before going; the programme defines the visit.
• Pair it with Theater Basel or nearby central art venues if you are planning an arts afternoon.

Your next visit

Estimated · Declared scenario and planning estimates; no live opening, weather, queue or booking service.