Kunsthalle Basel Contemporary Art Venue

Kunsthalle Basel was established in 1872, serving as a vital center for contemporary art in Basel, Switzerland. Its creation was the result of a 1864 merger between the Basel Society of Artists and the Basel Art Association, the latter of which was founded in 1839.

The current neoclassical building was constructed between 1869 and 1872, designed by the architect Johann Jakob Stehlin-Burckhardt. Financing for the project was provided by revenue generated from two ferry services operating across the Rhine.

In 1958, the institution organized 'Die neue amerikanische Malerei' in collaboration with the Museum of Modern Art in New York. This event marked the first time works by American expressionist artists, such as Mark Rothko and Jackson Pollock, were exhibited in a museum setting in Europe.

The building underwent its first major period of renovation from 1969 to 1973. This project followed a period of financial difficulty during the 1950s when the building had been rented to the state, leading to its return to the Kunstverein following the upgrades.

In 2004, the Steinberg building underwent extensive renovations executed by the architectural firm Miller & Maranta. The project aimed to restore the building's historical character while simultaneously updating facilities to maintain its relevance in the international art scene.