Bienenwaben Installation im Folkwang Museum in Essen
Tourismus NRW e.V., Bienenwaben Installation im Folkwang Museum in Essen
Ausstellungsansicht der Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen
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

  • To Page After Damascus...

    After Damascus...

    Museum Folkwang, Essen
    6. Nov 2026 - 21. Feb 2027
    The exhibition "After Damascus ... Karl Ernst Osthaus and the Islamic Arts" at Museum Folkwang sheds light on the museum founder's Islamic art collection and its impact on design and architecture.
    Learn more
  • To Page William Kentridge. Triumphs and laments

    William Kentridge. Triumphs and laments

    Museum Folkwang, Essen
    23. Dec 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.
    Learn more
  • To Page Seeing Kollwitz anew

    Seeing Kollwitz anew

    Käthe Kollwitz Museum Köln, Köln
    23. Dec 2025 - 15. Mar 2026
    Following extensive refurbishment, the Käthe Kollwitz Museum Cologne is presenting the opening exhibition "Kollwitz revisited", which features both classics and rarely shown works by the artist.
    Learn more
  • To Page Thomas Schütte

    Thomas Schütte

    K21 Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen, Düsseldorf
    7. Nov 2026 - 18. Apr 2027
    Overview of the diverse work of the influential artist Thomas Schütte in the Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen, including sculptures, watercolors and installations.
    Learn more
  • To Page L'Art d'habiter. The art of living

    L'Art d'habiter. The art of living

    Kunstmuseen Krefeld, Krefeld
    23. Dec 2025 - 15. Mar 2026
    First major retrospective in Germany of the French architect Charlotte Perriand, who revolutionized modern living, presented by the Kunstmuseen Krefeld.
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  • To Page

    Ludwiggalerie Schloss Oberhausen, Oberhausen
    20. Sept 2026 - 17. Jan 2027
    Learn more

Music, science, society

  • To Page Udo Lindenberg. Comet-like panic

    Udo Lindenberg. Comet-like panic

    Ludwiggalerie Schloss Oberhausen, Oberhausen
    23. Dec 2025 - 18. Jan 2026
    Discover the 'Udoversum' in a comprehensive exhibition about the musician and artist Udo Lindenberg in the Ludwiggalerie Schloss Oberhausen.
    Learn more
  • To Page Forest myth

    Forest myth

    Gasometer Oberhausen, Oberhausen
    20. Mar 2026 - 30. Dec 2026
    The 'Mythos Wald' exhibition in the Gasometer Oberhausen shows the biodiversity of forests worldwide and raises awareness for their protection.
    Learn more
  • To Page After Hitler. The German confrontation with National Socialism

    After Hitler. The German confrontation with National Socialism

    Haus der Geschichte der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, Bonn
    23. Dec 2025 - 25. Jan 2026
    The exhibition "After Hitler" at the Haus der Geschichte in Bonn examines Germany's confrontation with National Socialism over generations.
    Learn more
  • To Page Genes - diversity of life

    Genes - diversity of life

    LWL-Museum für Naturkunde, Münster
    23. 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
  • To Page Democratic cultures in the Sauerland 1925-1975-2025

    Democratic cultures in the Sauerland 1925-1975-2025

    Sauerland-Museum, Arnsberg
    23. 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
  • To Page Land and soil

    Land and soil

    K21 Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen, Düsseldorf
    23. Dec 2025 - 19. Apr 2026
    The exhibition "Grund und Boden" at the K21 of the Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen reflects on the use and management of resources in modern societies. It invites discussion about a sustainable future.
    Learn more
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