Kunstverein Ulm e.V.

Kunstverein Ulm e.V. is a non-profit art association (eingetragener Verein) based in Ulm, Germany, dedicated to promoting contemporary art in the city and region. It was founded in 1887 by ten citizens of Ulm with the stated purpose of "cultivating artistic sensibility" and "promoting the fine arts." Since 1973 the association has used the Renaissance hall on the first floor of the former shoemakers' guild house, the Schuhhaussaal, built in 1537, as its main exhibition venue. It stages five to six exhibitions per year and today has more than 1,000 members. The association operates two exhibition spaces: the Kunstverein im Schuhhaussaal at Kramgasse 4, and the Kunstverein im Ulmer Metzgerturm (kum) in the Metzgerturm tower. Both venues offer free admission. Opening hours at the Schuhhaussaal are Thursday and Friday 14:00–18:00 and Saturday and Sunday 11:00–17:00; the Metzgerturm gallery is open Friday, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays from 14:00 to 18:00. The programme combines contemporary art exhibitions with events such as children's concerts, creative writing workshops, classical song recitals, and jazz concerts, often in cooperation with local cultural initiatives such as the Ulmer Lyriksommer. In 2006 the Kunstverein Ulm was nominated by the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Deutscher Kunstvereine (ADKV) for the ADKV-ART COLOGNE Prize for art associations. The association is a member-based, non-commercial organisation; it is not a listed company and has no parent company. Its activities are funded through membership, public support and event income, and admission to its exhibitions is generally free.

The Kunstverein Ulm was founded in 1887 by ten citizens of Ulm. Its founding purpose was the "Pflege des Kunstsinns" (cultivation of artistic sensibility) and the "Förderung der bildenden Künste" (promotion of the fine arts). For much of its history it functioned as a civic art association typical of German cities, organising exhibitions and cultural events for its members and the public. A decisive change came in 1973, when the association began using the Renaissance hall on the first floor of the former shoemakers' guild house, the Schuhhaussaal, built in 1537, as its exhibition venue. This historic space in the centre of Ulm has remained its main home, hosting five to six exhibitions each year. The association later expanded to a second venue, the Kunstverein im Ulmer Metzgerturm (kum), located in the Metzgerturm tower. By the 2000s the Kunstverein Ulm had grown to more than 1,000 members. In 2006 it was nominated by the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Deutscher Kunstvereine (ADKV) for the ADKV-ART COLOGNE Prize for art associations, a recognition of its exhibition programme. A history of the association's first hundred years was published in 1987 by Elsbet Zumsteg-Brügel under the title "Kunstverein Ulm 1887–1987. Berichte und Dokumente." In the 2020s the association continues to present a mix of local, national and international contemporary art, alongside an events programme that includes concerts, readings and workshops. Its exhibitions remain free of charge, and it cooperates with local cultural initiatives such as the Ulmer Lyriksommer.

• 2006

  Nominated by the ADKV for the ADKV-ART COLOGNE Prize for art associations.

• 1987

  Centenary history published by Elsbet Zumsteg-Brügel.

• 1973

  Association begins using the Schuhhaussaal as its exhibition venue.

• 1887

  Kunstverein Ulm founded by ten citizens of Ulm.

Non-profit, member-based art association presenting contemporary art with free admission in central Ulm.

• Traces in a Sandbox

  Exhibition by Julius Bobke and Wolfgang Günther; vernissage 12.09.2026, 19:00.

• Johannes Pfeiffer — Equilibrio

  Exhibition at kum – Kunstverein im Metzgerturm; guided tours with Johannes Pfeiffer on 19.09.2026 and 18.10.2026 at 10:30.

• Kinderkonzert (4 bis 7 Jahre) – Kirsas Musik

  Mobile opera by Thierry Tidrow; free admission.

• Stift & Kunst – Kreatives Schreiben im Museum

  Led by Claudia Schoeppl in the Schuhhaussaal.

• Klassischer Liederabend

  Lieder by Franz Schubert and Hugo Wolf; Saskia Maas (soprano) and Samuel Waffler (piano).

• Poesie & Jazz — Auf kleinen Planeten

  Musical-literary jazz concert with texts by poet Christian Wagner and the trio of cellist Friedemann Dähn, part of the Ulmer Lyriksommer.

• Duo Sâma – Jazz der Extraklasse

  Spanish pianist Albert Sanz and British jazz award winner Sara Dowling (vocals, cello) between jazz tradition and Brazil feeling.

1. 1Kunstverein Ulm e.V. – lokale, nationale und internationale zeitgenössische Kunst in Ulmkunstverein-ulm.de
2. 2Kunstverein Ulm e.V. – Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Kunstverein Ulm – Wikipediade.wikipedia.org