Kunstmuseum Stuttgart

The Kunstmuseum Stuttgart is a modern center for the visual arts on Schloßplatz, right off Königstraße. The building opened in 2005 as the successor to the Galerie der Stadt Stuttgart and stands on the site of the Kronprinzenpalais, which was demolished in 1963. Designed by the Berlin architects Hascher and Jehle, the structure looks like a glass cube during the day, reflecting the surrounding city. At night, the illuminated interior walls take over: they are made of irregular limestone slabs from the Altmühl Valley, whose mineral oxidation creates splashes of color. A distinctive feature is the huge lettering made of adhesive film on the glass facades, which changes with every new exhibition.

Inside, 5,000 square meters (about 54,000 square feet) of exhibition space show works from the city's collection, from the 19th century to contemporary art. One highlight is the important Otto Dix collection, which includes the triptych Großstadt (Metropolis) and is displayed in specially dedicated rooms. The holdings are complemented by works by artists such as Willi Baumeister, Adolf Hölzel, Joseph Kosuth, and Wolfgang Laib. In addition to the permanent exhibition, the museum regularly stages special thematic shows that take up current questions in art history and society. The collection dates back to a donation in 1924 and was shaped in large part by former director Eugen Keuerleber.

The museum also sees itself as a place for art education and public exchange. You can join a variety of guided tours and special programs for children, teenagers, and seniors. In the foyer, the restaurant o.T. invites you to linger, while the Cube, a rooftop restaurant glazed on all sides, offers a special view of the city. The museum also presents the Kubus. Sparda-Kunstpreis together with Sparda-Bank Baden-Württemberg, an award for artists with a connection to the state. In 2022, the German section of the international association of art critics honored the museum's architecture and curatorial work by naming it Museum of the Year.