# German exhibition season 2026–27

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/german-museum-anniversary-exhibitions-2026
> Updated: 2026-08-19T08:12:00.000Z. Sources: 49. Developments: 18.

The 2026–27 German exhibition season features a dense schedule of anniversaries and large-scale biennials. The Alte Pinakothek’s 200th anniversary and the Bayreuth Historisches Museum’s 30th anniversary launched the summer programme. In June, the Albertina celebrated 250 years with a free exhibition of works including Albrecht Dürer’s “Feldhase”.

Manifesta 16, the 30th-anniversary edition of the nomadic biennial, transformed twelve former churches in the Ruhr region (Duisburg, Essen, Bochum, and Gelsenkirchen) into contemporary art spaces. The €9.8 million project, titled “This is not a church”, highlights migrant artists and addresses the repurposing of Germany’s declining religious infrastructure. Notable installations include Abbas Zahedi’s ‘Ouranophobia 47051’ in Duisburg, which incorporates organ pipes from a fire-damaged church in Kyiv. The biennial also includes community projects like Dortmund’s St. Martin Church exhibition and the “Tea Garden of Ferdane Satir”.

Regional activity remains high, with exhibitions by Rupprecht Matthies in Jesteburg, Beate Ruberg in Arnsberg, and various shows in Upper Swabia and Brandenburg. In Munich, the Valentin-Karlstadt Museum reopened after a two-year renovation with a new permanent exhibition, “Flug zum Mond”, dedicated to Liesl Karlstadt. Other notable events include the 48 Stunden Neukölln festival preview in Berlin and the reopening of the Armeemuseum’s Kavaliers wing in Ingolstadt. In July, the GLG Martin Gropius Hospital in Eberswalde announced an art-therapy exhibition featuring works by psychiatric patients.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-19: Manifesta 16 biennial transforms Ruhr region churches into art venues

The Manifesta 16 biennial is transforming decommissioned churches in Germany's Ruhr region into contemporary art venues, exploring new uses for religious spaces amidst declining church membership.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/manifesta-16-biennial-transforms-ruhr-region-churches-into-art-venues

### 2026-07-26: Manifesta 16 Biennale Reopens Ruhr Churches as Contemporary Art Venues

Manifesta 16, the European biennale, is using 12 Ruhr churches as art venues through Oct 4 2026, showcasing over 100 artists and exploring new uses for secularised church buildings.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/manifesta-16-biennale-reopens-ruhr-churches-as-contemporary-art-venues

### 2026-07-10: Liesl Karlstadt Exhibition Opens at Valentin‑Karlstadt Museum in Munich

The Valentin‑Karlstadt Museum in Munich reopens with the “Flug zum Mond” exhibit, a comprehensive look at Liesl Karlstadt’s unconventional life and partnership with Karl Valentin.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/liesl-karlstadt-exhibition-opens-at-valentinkarlstadt-museum-in-munich

### 2026-07-07: Munich Valentin‑Karlstadt Museum Reopens After Two‑Year Renovation

Munich’s Valentin‑Karlstadt Museum reopens after two years of renovation, unveiling a new Liesl Karlstadt exhibition and cabaret performances.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/munich-valentinkarlstadt-museum-reopens-after-twoyear-renovation

### 2026-06-30: Manifesta 16 transforms Ruhr churches into art spaces

Manifesta 16 is using empty Ruhr churches as art and community hubs, highlighting the future of Germany’s 20,000 soon‑unused churches and promoting social cohesion.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/manifesta-16-transforms-ruhr-churches-into-art-spaces

### 2026-06-29: Frommherz and Eurich exhibitions open in Germany and France

Angelika Frommherz opens a solo show in Germany and Adelheid Eurich’s works are displayed in a group exhibition in France, both running through July 2026.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/frommherz-and-eurich-exhibitions-open-in-germany-and-france

### 2026-06-27: Manifesta 16 Ruhr+ launches community art project in Dortmund's St. Martin Church

Manifesta 16 Ruhr+ opened a community art project in Dortmund’s St. Martin Church on 21 June, featuring lectures, an exhibition on post‑war church rebuilding, and running until 4 Oct 2026.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/manifesta-16-ruhr-launches-community-art-project-in-dortmunds-st-martin-church

### 2026-06-24: Neukölln Arcaden to host preview of 48 Stunden Neukölln festival

Neukölln Arcaden will host a preview of the record‑breaking 48 Stunden Neukölln festival on 2 July 2026, showcasing twelve art projects and two exhibitions under the theme “OUT/SIDE/IN”.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/neuklln-arcaden-to-host-preview-of-48-stunden-neuklln-festival

### 2026-06-23: Regional German art exhibitions draw crowds in Neunkirchen and Musberg

Two German galleries host regional art shows: Musberg’s Danube‑focused installation (20 Jun‑26 Jul) and Neunkirchen’s free exhibition of 100+ works themed “Stadt Land Fluss” (21 Jun‑26 Jul).

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/regional-german-art-exhibitions-draw-crowds-in-neunkirchen-and-musberg

### 2026-06-20: Manifesta 16 Biennial Opens in Ruhr Region Churches

Manifesta 16 opened in the Ruhr region’s former churches, featuring migrant artists and addressing local economic and social crises.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/manifesta-16-biennial-opens-in-ruhr-region-churches

### 2026-06-18: German Museums Host Major Art Event and Complete Major Renovation

Heidelberg’s museum teams with GEDOK for a July 19 art festival, while Ingolstadt’s museum finishes a major renovation of its Kavaliers building.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/german-museums-host-major-art-event-and-complete-major-renovation

### 2026-06-17: Manifesta 16 launches in Ruhr region, spotlighting summer 2026 German art exhibitions

Manifesta 16 runs June‑Oct 2026 in Ruhr’s post‑war churches, featuring top contemporary artists, while Munich unveils major exhibitions including Barcelona moderna and performances by Marina Abramović.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/manifesta-16-launches-in-ruhr-region-spotlighting-summer-2026-german-art-exhibitions

### 2026-06-11: German art exhibitions in Eberswalde hospital and Berlin museums attract visitors

Free art‑therapy exhibition opens at a hospital in Eberswalde (July‑August 2026) and four Berlin museums offer free weekend access with morbid-themed displays (June 12‑14).

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/german-art-exhibitions-in-eberswalde-hospital-and-berlin-museums-attract-visitors

### 2026-06-11: Germany's June 2026 art openings: Albertina's 250‑year anniversary and Noiz Two solo show

The Albertina opens a free 250‑year anniversary exhibition on 18 June 2026, while Ingolstadt’s Daniel Malun Lange hosts Robin Gower’s Noiz Two solo show from 12‑14 June 2026.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/germanys-june-2026-art-openings-albertinas-250year-anniversary-and-noiz-two-solo-show

### 2026-06-10: German galleries unveil June 2026 exhibitions by Rupprecht Matthies and Beate Ruberg

German galleries announce June 2026 exhibitions: Matthies’s solo show in Jesteburg with aquarelles and light objects, and Ruberg’s “STÜCKWERK” in Arnsberg featuring found‑object collages.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/german-galleries-unveil-june-2026-exhibitions-by-rupprecht-matthies-and-beate-ruberg

### 2026-06-09: German venues showcase diverse art exhibitions in June‑July 2026

German museums and galleries host multiple art exhibitions June‑July 2026, including shows at Hannover’s Sprengel Museum, Brandenburg’s Wredow‑Woche, Göttingen library, Kunsthaus Seelscheid, LohmART, and a Weid

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/german-museums-unveil-summer-2026-art-exhibitions

### 2026-06-06: German Museums Announce 2026 Art Exhibitions and Guided Tours

German regional museums have scheduled 2026 art exhibitions across Upper Swabia, while Durlach's Pfinzgau Museum will hold free guided tours in June of a military‑history exhibit.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/german-museums-announce-2026-art-exhibitions-and-guided-tours

### 2026-05-29: German Museums Mark Major Anniversaries in 2026

Munich’s Alte Pinakothek marked its 200‑year founding, while Bayreuth’s Historisches Museum opened a 30‑year anniversary exhibition, both celebrating German museum heritage.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/german-museums-mark-major-anniversaries-in-2026

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Cite as: German exhibition season 2026–27. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/german-museum-anniversary-exhibitions-2026