Bienenwaben Installation im Folkwang Museum in Essen
Tourismus NRW e.V., Bienenwaben Installation im Folkwang Museum in Essen

Top exhibitionsArt heaven, Kant and the climate crisis

The museums in North Rhine-Westphalia offer a wide range of exciting exhibitions with different focal points. Art and culture enthusiasts can look forward to works by renowned painters, sculptors and photographers. Institutions show exhibits on important music groups. Historical events, historical personalities and social phenomena also play a role. Below you will find an overview of the top exhibitions on offer this year. They are divided into the areas of "Art, Design, Architecture" and "Music, Science, Society".

Art, design, architecture

  • Sumi Anjuman, I am the Mother too, 2019, on permanent loan from the Friends of the Kunstpalast
    Sumi Anjuman, Sumi Anjuman, I am the Mother too, 2019, on permanent loan from the Friends of the Kunstpalast
    MAMA. From Maria to Merkel
    Kunstpalast, Düsseldorf
    30. Apr 2025 - 3. Aug 2025
    The exhibition 'MAMA. From Maria to Merkel' at the Kunstpalast Düsseldorf sheds light on the facets and cultural concepts of motherhood through the centuries.
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  • Paula Rego, Love, 1995, Pastel on paper on aluminum, 120 × 160 cm, Courtesy The Estate of Paula Rego and Victoria Miro
    Paula Rego Estate, Paula Rego, Love, 1995, Pastel on paper on aluminum, 120 × 160 cm, Courtesy The Estate of Paula Rego and Victoria Miro
    Paula Rego. The Personal is Political
    Museum Folkwang, Essen
    16. May 2025 - 7. Sept 2025
    The Museum Folkwang in Essen is presenting a comprehensive retrospective of the works of Portuguese-British artist Paula Rego from May 2025.
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  • Marc Chagall, The Violinist, 1911, Le violoniste, oil on canvas, 94.5 × 69.5 cm, Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen, Photo: Achim Kukulies, Düsseldorf
    VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2024, Marc Chagall, The Violinist, 1911, Le violoniste, oil on canvas, 94.5 × 69.5 cm, Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen, Photo: Achim Kukulies, Düsseldorf
    Chagall
    Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen, Düsseldorf
    30. Apr 2025 - 10. Aug 2025
    The Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen is presenting a comprehensive exhibition of the early works of the Russian-French painter Marc Chagall, highlighting his experiments with Fauvism and Cubism as well as his connection with Jewish motifs and Russian folklore.
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  • West view of Haus Lange
    Volker Döhne, Kunstmuseen Krefeld, Since 1955, Haus Lange has been known as a place where contemporary, experimental art and architecture come together
    Partly furnished, excellent view
    Kunstmuseen Krefeld, Krefeld
    30. Apr 2025 - 21. Sept 2025
    Celebration of the 70th anniversary of Haus Lange with an exhibition highlighting the interaction between architecture and art through various media.
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  • Federico Cuatlacuatl, Xochipitzahuatl-Nova, 2024, 3-channel video installation (still)
    David Morales, Federico Cuatlacuatl, Xochipitzahuatl-Nova, 2024, 3-channel video installation (still)
    Hypercreatures
    Max Ernst Museum Brühl des LVR, Brühl
    30. Apr 2025 - 5. Oct 2025
    The 'Hypercreatures' exhibition at the Max Ernst Museum Brühl examines surrealist hybrid figures that combine elements of animal, machine, human and plant.
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  • Gluck, Bank Holiday Monday, c.1937, Painting, oil on canvas, 23.7 × 18.7 cm
    Private collection, courtesy of The Fine Art Society Ltd, Gluck, Bank Holiday Monday, c.1937, Painting, oil on canvas, 23.7 × 18.7 cm
    Queer Modernism. 1900 to 1950
    Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen, Düsseldorf
    27. Sept 2025 - 15. Feb 2026
    The exhibition "Queer Modernism. 1900 to 1950" at the K20 of the Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen honors the revolutionary contribution of queer artists to modernism.
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  • William Kentridge, drawing for the self-portrait As a Coffee Pot (2 Private Thoughts), 2021
    William Kentridge, 2024, William Kentridge, drawing for the self-portrait As a Coffee Pot (2 Private Thoughts), 2021
    William Kentridge. Triumphs and laments
    ,
    4. Sept 2025 - 18. Jan 2026
    The exhibition 'William Kentridge. Triumphs and Lamentations' at the Museum Folkwang honors the South African artist on the occasion of his 70th birthday and presents his multifaceted work.
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  • The opening of the exhibition Dalí. The Endless Enigma was very well attended.
    Hulisz, Tourismus NRW e.V., The Phoenix des Lumières exhibition openings attract large numbers of visitors
    In the realm of the pharaohs
    Phoenix des Lumières, Dortmund
    30. Apr 2025 - 31. Dec 2025
    The immersive exhibition 'In the Realm of the Pharaohs' at the Phoenix des Lumières in Dortmund takes visitors back to ancient Egypt and presents impressive digital works of art.
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  • Jianfeng Pan (*1973), Northern Ocean, 2023, ink, xuan paper, 138 x 204 cm
    Foto: Jianfeng Pan / Museum für Ostasiatische Kunst, Jianfeng Pan (*1973), Northern Ocean, 2023, ink, xuan paper, 138 x 204 cm
    Ink walks
    Museum für Ostasiatische Kunst, Köln
    30. Apr 2025 - 29. Jun 2025
    The exhibition 'Ink Walks' at the Museum of East Asian Art in Cologne presents the impressive works on paper by contemporary Chinese artist Jianfeng Pan.
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Music, science, society

  • Poster for the exhibition After Hitler. The German confrontation with National Socialism
    Schleiner + Partner Kommunikation, Poster for the exhibition After Hitler. The German confrontation with National Socialism
    After Hitler. The German confrontation with National Socialism
    Haus der Geschichte der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, Bonn
    30. Apr 2025 - 25. Jan 2026
    The exhibition "After Hitler" at the Haus der Geschichte in Bonn examines Germany's confrontation with National Socialism over generations.
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  • Room attendant in the plenary chamber of the German Bundestag, 17.6.1971
    J.H. Darchinger/Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Room attendant in the plenary chamber of the German Bundestag, 17.6.1971
    Jupp Darchinger. The eye of the republic
    LVR-LandesMuseum Bonn, Bonn
    12. Jun 2025 - 14. Sept 2025
    The anniversary exhibition "Jupp Darchinger. The Eye of the Republic" at the LVR-LandesMuseum Bonn honors the photographer who documented the Bonn Republic.
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  • Emmanuele Baccinelli, Phantomias, private collection
    Disney, Emmanuele Baccinelli, Phantomias, private collection
    Superheroes
    NRW-Forum Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf
    30. Apr 2025 - 11. May 2025
    The NRW-Forum in Düsseldorf is presenting an exhibition about superheroes, who are icons of pop culture and symbols of democracy and hope.
    Learn more
  • Two permanent exhibitions and regular special shows provide insights into the animal and plant world at the LWL Museum of Natural History
    LWL, Oblonczyk, Two permanent exhibitions and regular special shows provide insights into the animal and plant world at the LWL Museum of Natural History
    Genes - diversity of life
    LWL-Museum für Naturkunde, Münster
    30. Apr 2025 - 31. Dec 2025
    Discover the fascinating world of genes in the exhibition "Genes - Diversity of Life" at the LWL Museum of Natural History in Münster.
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  • The LVR-Niederrheinmuseum Wesel is the place to go for culture fans who want to find out more about the history of the Lower Rhine region
    LVR-Niederrheinmuseum Wesel, The LVR-Niederrheinmuseum Wesel is the place to go for culture fans who want to find out more about the history of the Lower Rhine region
    The history of the Lower Rhine
    LVR-Niederrheinmuseum Wesel, Wesel
    30. Apr 2025 - 31. Dec 2026
    The new permanent exhibition at the LVR-Niederrheinmuseum Wesel sheds light on the history of the Lower Rhine and links regional developments with global themes.
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  • Couple in front of industrial plant
    LVR-Industriemuseum, Fotografin: Anne Winterer, Couple in front of industrial plant
    Anne Winterer - Rhineland and Ruhr region in view
    LVR-Industriemuseum St. Antony-Hütte, Oberhausen
    30. Apr 2025 - 22. Jun 2025
    The exhibition 'Anne Winterer - Rheinland und Ruhrgebiet im Blick' at the LVR Industrial Museum shows over 60 photographs from the 1920s and 1930s, which offer a unique insight into people's lives at that time.
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  • View of the exhibition The Land of a Thousand Fires. Industrial pictures from the Ludwig Schönefeld Collection
    Ruhr Museum; Foto: Deimel + Wittmar, View of the exhibition The Land of a Thousand Fires. Industrial pictures from the Ludwig Schönefeld Collection
    The land of a thousand fires
    Ruhr Museum, Essen
    30. Apr 2025 - 14. Feb 2026
    The exhibition "The Land of a Thousand Fires" at the Ruhr Museum shows the fascination of heavy industry for artists since the 19th century.
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    Democratic cultures in the Sauerland 1925-1975-2025
    Sauerland-Museum, Arnsberg
    1. Oct 2025 - 30. Jun 2026
    The special exhibition at the Sauerland Museum sheds light on the social development of the Sauerland from 1925 to 2025, with a focus on democratic cultures.
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  • Lucian Freud, Head of a Woman, 1988-1990, MGKSiegen, Lambrecht-Schadeberg Collection
    The Estate of Lucian Freud Bridgeman Images, Lucian Freud, Head of a Woman, 1988-1990, MGKSiegen, Lambrecht-Schadeberg Collection
    Look, the looks
    Museum für Gegenwartskunst Siegen, Siegen
    30. Apr 2025 - 15. Jun 2025
    The exhibition "Schau, die Blicke" at the Museum für Gegenwartskunst Siegen explores the theme of "seeing and being seen" through various artistic media.
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