Basel
Basel contemporary art

Guide to Kunstmuseum Basel – Gegenwart

Exploring contemporary art in a unique riverside venue in Basel.

ArtContemporary

This dedicated venue of the Kunstmuseum Basel focuses on contemporary art. Located a short walk along the Rhine from the main buildings, it hosts rotating special exhibitions and presentations of current works in an accessible, modern setting.

The contemporary art branch of the Kunstmuseum Basel, hosting temporary exhibitions and modern collection displays along the St. Alban-Rheinweg.

Kunstmuseum Basel – Gegenwart
Contemporary Art at Kunstmuseum Basel – Gegenwart

Located along the scenic Rhine in Basel, Kunstmuseum Basel – Gegenwart is a dedicated venue for art from the late 20th century to the present. The museum presents a rotating lineup of contemporary installations, media art, and thematic exhibitions alongside selections from the permanent collection. Visitors can explore these dynamic works across multiple fully accessible gallery floors.

Exterior view of the Kunstmuseum Basel - Gegenwart, a large modern building with a light-colored stone facade and geometric blocky design, with tram wires overhead
Kunstmuseum Basel – Gegenwart opening hours in Basel

Check today’s opening status, weekly schedule, and special date changes for Kunstmuseum Basel – Gegenwart. Use these opening hours to plan your arrival and avoid closed times in Basel.

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
-
11:00-18:00
11:00-18:00
11:00-18:00
11:00-18:00
11:00-18:00
11:00-18:00
Admission and Ticket Information for Kunstmuseum Basel – Gegenwart

Access to the Kunstmuseum Basel – Gegenwart is managed through an All-in-One ticket that covers all museum venues, the permanent collection, and special exhibitions. Children up to age 12 enjoy free admission, while discounted rates are available for students, teenagers, and holders of a valid BaselCard or KulturLegi. Group pricing is offered for parties of 20 or more, and specific concessions require proof of eligibility at the entrance.

Adult
CHF 35.00

For visitors over 20 years old All-in-One ticket covering venues, collection, and exhibitions

Student
CHF 25.00

Aged 20 to 25 with student ID

Teenager
CHF 12.00

Aged 13 to 19

Visitor Amenities at Kunstmuseum Basel – Gegenwart

The Kunstmuseum Basel – Gegenwart offers a range of practical facilities to ensure a comfortable visit, including a cloakroom and lockers for secure storage. To support an inclusive visitor experience, the museum also provides specialized guided tours and tactile programming tailored for guests with hearing or visual impairments.

Tastend, klingend oder beschreibend erleben

Available

Führungen für Menschen mit Gehör- oder Sehbeeinträchtigung

Available

Cloakroom

Available

Lockers

Available
Family visits at Kunstmuseum Basel – Gegenwart

The Kunstmuseum Basel – Gegenwart offers various opportunities for families to engage with contemporary art through creative workshops and physical activities. Children aged 7 to 10 can participate in hands-on workshops, while recurring Open Studio events provide interactive experiences for all ages. Visitors can explore the dedicated family page for further planning.

The Kunstmuseum Basel | Gegenwart offers family-oriented programming and workshops that encourage children to explore contemporary art through creative and physical activities.

Why families will enjoy it

  • Free interactive activity stations at major exhibition openings
  • Monthly children's workshops for ages 7–10
  • Free recurring Open Studio events on the first Sunday of each month
  • Reduced workshop rates available with a Familienpass

Activities and resources for children

Family program

Monthly Children's Workshops

Ages 7–10150–150 minPaidBooking required

Creative workshops for children aged 7-10.

Family program

Open Studio

Free

A recurring free studio event open to all ages.

Kunstmuseum Basel – Gegenwart Location and Setting

Kunstmuseum Basel – Gegenwart is situated along the St. Alban-Rheinweg in Basel, positioned in a scenic setting near the Rhine. Located about a ten-minute walk from the main Hauptbau and Neubau buildings, this dedicated contemporary art venue is easily reachable for visitors exploring the city's cultural hub. This proximity allows for a seamless transition between the museum's different exhibition spaces.

© OpenStreetMap contributors

St. Alban-Rheinweg 60

4052 Basel

Basel-Stadt, CH

Planning Your Visit to Kunstmuseum Basel – Gegenwart

Planning a visit to the Kunstmuseum Basel – Gegenwart in Basel is straightforward, with parking facilities available for those arriving by car. The museum's unique riverside setting along the Rhine makes it easily accessible for visitors exploring the city's cultural landscape. Allocating a few hours allows ample time to experience the contemporary art exhibitions on display.

Planning Your Visit to Kunstmuseum Basel – Gegenwart

The Contemporary Art Experience at Kunstmuseum Basel – Gegenwart

Located along the scenic St. Alban-Rheinweg in Basel, the Kunstmuseum Basel – Gegenwart offers a dedicated space for forward-looking contemporary art. Housed in a unique building near the Rhine, this venue features multiple floors of accessible galleries showcasing works from the 1960s to the present. Visitors can explore a rotating lineup of international media art, major temporary solo exhibitions, and thematic installations. The museum ensures a welcoming experience for all guests, offering fully wheelchair-accessible exhibition spaces and modern, barrier-free facilities.

Gallery interior with CRT television monitors arranged on low blue tiered platforms, visitors seated on spherical stools watching the screens
Top exhibition picks at Kunstmuseum Basel – Gegenwart
Curated museum program highlights and what to see now in Basel
Discover high-interest exhibitions at Kunstmuseum Basel – Gegenwart, selected to help you prioritize your route, compare show themes, and plan a more rewarding museum visit in Basel.
A framed artwork featuring a purple and blue watercolor wash background with a diagonal row of six white triangles, displayed on a white gallery wall.
From Mar 17, 2026

Vera Molnár Printmaking Exhibition at Kunstmuseum Basel

A systematic exploration of pioneering computer and geometric art.

Explore the creative prints of computer art pioneer Vera Molnár. This collection highlights her calculated structural variations of geometric squares produced with Basel's Éditions FANAL studio.

Explore Exhibition
Watercolor illustration of a museum gallery with purple walls, framed artworks, and glass display cases showing letters for the Im Obersteg exhibition.
From Sep 1, 2026

Im Obersteg Art Collection Exhibition at Kunstmuseum Basel

Explore modern masterpieces and correspondence between Swiss collectors and artists.

Examine forty classical modernist artworks alongside the personal letters that document close artistic partnerships. Learn how Karl and Marianne Im Obersteg built their private collection through mutual creative support.

Im Obersteg Exhibition
Watercolor rendering of Renée Levi's 'Mira' mural at Kunstmuseum Basel, featuring dynamic sweeping purple lines and bold color bursts on white gallery walls.
From Aug 30, 2025

Renée Levi: Mira Mural Exhibition at Kunstmuseum Basel

A site-specific contemporary art installation enlivening the courtyard.

Explore a dynamic spatial intervention by Swiss artist Renée Levi in Basel. This colorful site-specific mural transforms the quiet courtyard of the Hauptbau into a vibrant wind tunnel of movement, bridging painting and architectural space.

Exhibition Details
Purple watercolor illustration of a surreal landscape featuring figures riding animals, a distant cityscape, and floating digital interfaces.
From May 30, 2026

Cao Fei Exhibition at Kunstmuseum Basel | Gegenwart

A comprehensive survey of video installations and digital art.

Explore a multi-floor digital universe featuring video installations and virtual-reality settings by Chinese artist Cao Fei. Delve into themes of globalization, technology, and identity across her thirty-year career at this major contemporary art presentation.

Explore Exhibition
Watercolor illustration depicting Cassidy Toner's exhibition 'Besides the Point', featuring abstract purple ceramic sculptures on white pedestals in a gallery.
From Aug 22, 2025

Cassidy Toner Solo Contemporary Art Exhibition in Basel

Sculptures and installations challenging art-world expectations.

Delve into the thought-provoking works of Cassidy Toner at Kunstmuseum Basel. This exhibition showcases unique ceramic sculptures, tin cast installations, and a sprawling wall drawing designed to question value and meaning in commercial and artistic spheres.

View Exhibition
Abstract canvas on a studio floor with vibrant layers of stained paint in blue, yellow, and red hues, demonstrating Helen Frankenthaler's soak-stain technique.
From Apr 18, 2026

Helen Frankenthaler Retrospective Exhibition at Kunstmuseum Basel

Six decades of pioneering Abstract Expressionism and color field painting.

See the largest survey of Helen Frankenthaler's abstract works in Europe. Learn about her revolutionary soak-stain technique and view over fifty paintings on display with standard museum admission.

Helen Frankenthaler Exhibition
Purple watercolor illustration of a gallery wall with framed prints, highlighting a central artwork depicting figures dancing and socializing.
From Aug 4, 2026

Boundless Printmaking Exhibition at Kunstmuseum Basel

Schweizerische Graphische Gesellschaft retrospective of original prints

Browse a selection of thirty-four original commissions showcasing the history of the Schweizerische Graphische Gesellschaft. Experience works by pioneering figures and contemporary artists that highlight the evolution of modern printmaking.

Boundless Printmaking
Framed abstract ink drawings and drypoint prints by Wols displayed on a gallery wall with a large purple and blue watercolor wash.
From Jan 28, 2025

Wols Exhibition: Seeing Means Closing Your Eyes at Kunstmuseum Basel

Rare postwar drypoint prints and surrealist drawings by Wols.

Explore a focused selection of small-format drypoint prints and postwar drawings in Basel. Delve into the dreamlike abstract style of artist Wols and discover his seminal influence on the Informel movement.

Wols Exhibition Details
Curious Minds: Kunstmuseum Basel – Gegenwart Visitor FAQ

Wondering where to leave your car while pondering contemporary art at Kunstmuseum Basel – Gegenwart? We can confirm parking is available at this Basel venue, even if some mysteries—like the perfect visit duration—remain up to your own artistic interpretation. Dive into our quick FAQ to sort out the logistics before you dive into the masterpieces.

What is the phone number for Kunstmuseum Basel – Gegenwart?

The phone number for Kunstmuseum Basel – Gegenwart is not currently provided in our records.

What is the response time for inquiries to Kunstmuseum Basel – Gegenwart?

The response time for customer service inquiries at Kunstmuseum Basel – Gegenwart is not specified.

How can I contact Kunstmuseum Basel – Gegenwart by email?

The email contact information for Kunstmuseum Basel – Gegenwart is not currently available.

Is parking available at Kunstmuseum Basel – Gegenwart?

Yes, parking is available at the venue, although specific details regarding parking fees are not specified.

Planning Your Visit to Kunstmuseum Basel – Gegenwart

When planning a visit to Kunstmuseum Basel – Gegenwart in Basel, visitors can look forward to exploring contemporary art from the 1960s onward. The venue occupies a converted industrial building by the Rhine, and parking is available for those traveling by car. Allowing enough time to view both the collection displays and the temporary exhibitions helps ensure a relaxed experience. Confirming these basic travel arrangements in advance is an easy way to prepare for a smooth visit.

Visitor Experience and Accessibility at Kunstmuseum Basel – Gegenwart

The Kunstmuseum Basel – Gegenwart is highly suited for enthusiasts of contemporary art, offering dedicated galleries focused on works from the 1960s to the present. Visitors interested in modern media art, diverse installations, and temporary exhibitions will find the rotating displays in Basel particularly engaging. The venue is designed to accommodate guests with accessibility needs, featuring fully wheelchair-accessible exhibition spaces across multiple floors and automated entry doors. With facilities that support group visits and available parking options, the museum offers a welcoming environment for a diverse range of art lovers.

Visual Preview of Kunstmuseum Basel – Gegenwart

Photos of the Kunstmuseum Basel – Gegenwart capture its distinct modern architecture and textured stone facade along the St. Alban-Rheinweg in Basel. Inside, the images reveal spacious, light-filled galleries spanning multiple floors. Visitors can preview the minimalist exhibition spaces hosting contemporary installations, media art, and rotating collection displays.

Exterior view of the Kunstmuseum Basel - Gegenwart, a large modern building with a light-colored stone facade and geometric blocky design, with tram wires overhead
Large rectangular building with textured light-gray stone facade, narrow vertical windows, and a cyclist riding past on the street
Stone museum building with arched colonnade along the street facade, tall windows on upper floors, and overhead tram lines
Gallery interior with CRT television monitors arranged on low blue tiered platforms, visitors seated on spherical stools watching the screens
Floor plan map of Kunstmuseum Basel showing the layout of the Neubau, Hauptbau, and Gegenwart buildings with collection locations and visitor information.
Painting of stylized figures standing in water, with two prominent figures in the foreground gesturing, and a group of people in the distance against a pastel pink and green sky.
Exterior view of Kunstmuseum Basel Gegenwart showing a modern glass entrance pavilion connected to a historic beige industrial building with a bare tree in the courtyard under blue sky
Immersive art installation featuring a large purple octopus sculpture, a ball pit filled with blue and pink balls, and large video screens displaying animated octopus imagery in a gallery space
Stone building facade with arched colonnade entrance, large rectangular windows, and overhead tram lines with pedestrians walking nearby
Exterior view of a large, modern, light-colored building with a distinctive stepped facade, with pedestrians and tram lines at street level.
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