• On 31 July 2024, the university of Wuppertal and the city of Wuppertal officially signed the cooperation agreement to revive the Kunsthalle Barmen.
• "Kunsthalle Barmen Lab" aims to attract and inspire people for art.
• Support now: Online donations help to offer an approach to art to as many people as possible free of charge.
  Click here for the donation tool

Co-operation agreement signed

Normally, a cooperation agreement marks the beginning of a collaboration. This time it was different: at the beginning of July, the university of Wuppertal, together with the city of Wuppertal and the art and museum association of the Von der Heydt Museum, announced the revitalisation of the Kunsthalle Barmen. Now the signatory Dr Ursula Löffler, Chancellor of the University of Wuppertal, has expressed her enthusiasm: "I am very impressed by the scope and artistic charisma that the project has already taken on on the part of the university".

Her contractual partner, Head of Cultural Affairs and City Director Matthias Nocke, is also delighted with what has already been achieved, which has now been formally signed and sealed: "As the city, we are happy to help revitalise such a flagship project for Barmen city centre and the entire region by covering the building and operating costs."

In addition, those willing to donate can now also provide concrete support for the work accompanying the exhibition in the neighbourhood. Reason enough to take a closer look at the idea of the Kunsthalle Barmen and the work of the "Kunsthalle Barmen Lab".

Inspiring people for culture and art

"Kunsthalle Barmen is not a traditional museum. We don't collect, we focus on contemporary art and its mediation. We want our students to conduct practical research into what it's like to work with international artists, set up an exhibition and establish an institutional operation," says Prof Katja Pfeiffer, Head of the Kunsthalle Barmen Lab at the University of Wuppertal, outlining the overall concept.

The idea and work of the Kunsthalle Barmen Lab

All of this is happening - now and in the future to accompany exhibitions - in the "Kunsthalle Barmen Lab": a unique laboratory for the encounter between the city's population, visitors and institutions and students. Since the summer semester of 2024, 60 of them have been developing flexible exhibition architecture, mobile laboratory equipment and a guidance system to the exhibitions via barrier-free access in five seminars.

In addition, innovative educational formats and programmes are being created to enable intergenerational communication about art on a professional basis. Initial indications of all these projects are already arousing curiosity: "The LAB will be active, creative and fast! We are responding to current and pressing social issues, the politics of the day, exhibition themes and ideas from participants and visitors," says Pfeiffer. After all, the participation of citizens is central to all of this: They are already in contact with numerous neighbourhood initiatives and educational institutions, says Pfeiffer. "But we look forward to receiving further enquiries and interested parties!"

Get involved - or donate!

Educational establishments, social initiatives, institutions and the general public: everyone can get involved or participate in the "Lab". For the reopening, guided tours, practical art workshops and events await the curious to get to know the Kunsthalle and its exhibits. A commitment that also welcomes monetary support: an online donation now offers a small or large opportunity to do so. On the donation website, supporters can donate free amounts or sponsor specific events or certain material purchases. Browsing here is therefore expressly encouraged and provides a good insight into the scope and diversity of the "Lab" programme. Unless otherwise requested, all donors are mentioned by name.

Click here for the launch press release from 9 July

Click here for the German-language press release for the trade press

Click here for further press material