Kestnergesellschaft

The Kestner Gesellschaft in Hanover is an important art association founded in 1916 to counter what was seen as the city's conservative cultural climate. Named after the distinguished patron of the arts August Kestner, the association set out to bring internationally significant contemporary artists to Hanover. Its early years were marked by bold experiments, including exhibitions of work by Max Liebermann and El Lissitzky, who also designed a famous portfolio of lithographs. The association had to close in 1936 under pressure from the Nazis, after its Jewish director, Justus Bier, was slated for dismissal and the board refused to collaborate. After World War II, the Gesellschaft was re-established in 1948 and, under a succession of directors, became one of the most renowned institutions of its kind in Germany.

Since 1997, the Kestner Gesellschaft has been housed in a converted former public swimming pool at Steintor on Goseriede. The building was modernized by local architects and today offers five halls across two levels, with a total of 1,500 square meters of exhibition space. In addition to the spacious galleries, the building houses a library, a bookstore, and a bistro, making it an inviting place to enjoy art. The association is one of the largest in Germany and stands out for its broad spectrum of contemporary art, ranging from classic positions to provocative installations. Well-known projects such as Santiago Sierra's "House in the Mud" ("Haus im Schlamm") or the collaborative exhibition "Made in Germany" with other Hanover museums show the diversity and topicality of the program.

At the Kestner Gesellschaft, you can engage deeply with modern and contemporary art. The institution maintains close ties to the local and international art scene, which is reflected in its changing exhibitions and events. Since 2003, it has also published the so-called Kestner Editions, in which graphic or photographic works are offered exclusively to members in small print runs. With a strong focus on presenting current artistic positions and a rich historical tradition documented in a three-volume chronicle, the Kestner Gesellschaft remains a central destination for art lovers in Hanover.