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

Foto: Achim Kukulies, Ausstellungsansicht der Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen

Art heaven, Kant and the climate crisis

Top exhibitions

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

Von Louise Bourgeois bis Yoko Ono. Schmuck von Künstlerinnen
Museum für Angewandte Kunst Köln, Köln
13. Dec 2025 - 26. Apr 2026
Das MAKK präsentiert eine Sonderausstellung mit Schmuckentwürfen von Künstlerinnen des 20. und 21. Jahrhunderts, darunter Werke von Louise Bourgeois und Yoko Ono.
Learn more
Marianna Simnett – Headless
Max Ernst Museum Brühl des LVR, Brühl
31. Jan 2026 - 5. Jul 2026
Entdecken Sie die traumhaften und verstörenden Welten der Berliner Künstlerin Marianna Simnett in der Ausstellung 'Headless' im Max Ernst Museum Brühl.
Learn more
The fascination of jewelry. 7000 years of jewelry art at the MAKK
Museum für Angewandte Kunst Köln, Köln
13. Dec 2025 - 30. Dec 2025
Discover the impressive exhibition 'Fascination Jewelry. 7000 years of jewelry history with 370 exhibits can be admired here.
Learn more
Nach Damaskus...
Museum Folkwang, Essen
6. Nov 2026 - 21. Feb 2027
Die Ausstellung „Nach Damaskus … Karl Ernst Osthaus und die islamischen Künste“ im Museum Folkwang beleuchtet die islamische Kunstsammlung des Museumsgründers und ihre Auswirkungen auf Design und Architektur.
Learn more
Yayoi Kusama. Works from 70 years
Museum Ludwig, Köln
14. Mar 2026 - 2. Aug 2026
Comprehensive retrospective of the artist Yayoi Kusama at the Museum Ludwig, Cologne, sheds light on seven decades of her work, including unpublished and new works.
Learn more
Women artists! From Monjé to Münter
Kunstpalast, Düsseldorf
13. Dec 2025 - 1. Feb 2026
The exhibition at the Kunstpalast Düsseldorf honors 30 female artists of the 19th and 20th centuries who created important works despite social obstacles.
Learn more

Music, science, society

Germaine Krull: Chien Fou
Museum Folkwang, Essen
13. Dec 2025 - 15. Mar 2026
Die Ausstellung „Germaine Krull: Chien Fou“ im Museum Folkwang präsentiert das vielseitige Werk der Fotografin und Autorin, mit rund 400 Exponaten aus ihrem Nachlass.
Learn more
Formula 1® exhibition
FKP Scorpio Entertainment GmbH, Oberhausen
13. Dec 2025 - 22. Mar 2026
The international Formula 1® exhibition in Oberhausen offers a multimedia experience with original racing cars, unpublished material and a racing simulator.
Learn more
Behind Beauty
LWL-Museum Textilwerk, Bocholt
13. Dec 2025 - 1. Nov 2026
The exhibition 'Behind Beauty' at the LWL-Museum Textilwerk Bocholt questions ideals of beauty, role models and the role of advertising in the beauty industry.
Learn more
Genes - diversity of life
LWL-Museum für Naturkunde, Münster
13. Dec 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.
Learn more
Brave new world of work. 1890-1940
LVR-LandesMuseum Bonn, Bonn
13. Dec 2025 - 12. Apr 2026
The exhibition "Brave new world of work. 1890-1940" at the LVR-LandesMuseum Bonn sheds light on the changes in the world of work and their artistic treatment.
Learn more
Democratic cultures in the Sauerland 1925-1975-2025
Sauerland-Museum, Arnsberg
13. Dec 2025 - 12. Apr 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.
Learn more