Gallery of Artists | Exhibitions & Opening Hours

The Gallery of Artists in Munich is much more than a classic exhibition space. It is located at Maximilianstraße 42, in the left wing of the Museum Five Continents, and is supported by the BBK Munich and Upper Bavaria. The association sees the gallery as a mediating interface between Bavarian, regional, and international artists, the public, commercial galleries, exhibition houses, and the press. This is precisely what gives the character of this place: historical spaces, contemporary art, and a clear promotion mandate intertwine. Those searching for Gallery of Artists Munich, Gallery of Female Artists Munich, or BBK Gallery of Artists will find here an address that cannot be limited to a single type of exhibition but reinvents itself monthly while also looking back on a long institutional history. ([bbk-muc-obb.de](https://bbk-muc-obb.de/galerie-der-kuenstler/ueber-die-galerie/))

Exhibitions and Promotion Series in the Gallery of Artists

The heart of the gallery is its exhibition program. According to BBK Munich and Upper Bavaria, the gallery shows, in addition to free projects, primarily the annual promotion series The First Years of Professionalism, Debutants, and the award winners of the Bavarian Art Promotion Prize. At the turn of the year, an unjuried exhibition of the members is added, showcasing current works of BBK members. Thus, the gallery fulfills not only the role of an exhibition space but also that of a working and development level for artists who are at the beginning of their careers or are already well into their professional paths in Munich and Bavaria. This is a strong signal for all those searching for Gallery of Artists exhibitions, BBK Gallery of Artists, or Gallery of Artists BBK Munich: This is not about a single show, but about an ongoing system of visibility that supports talents in various ways and creates public awareness. ([bbk-muc-obb.de](https://bbk-muc-obb.de/ueber-uns/aufgaben-und-struktur/))

This principle can be particularly well observed in the current format TACKER / PRESELECTION. On the official gallery page, the BBK describes the exhibition as an annually recurring selection exhibition for the promotion prize. In 2026, 14 positions were selected from 80 applications, which will be shown in May and June in their original form; in a second jury session, the award winner will be determined from the presented works, who will receive a solo exhibition in the gallery the following year. This is exactly what makes the place so relevant for the Munich art scene: The gallery is not just a space for finished results, but a place where selection, discussion, presentation, and promotion logic become publicly understandable. For visitors, this means a surprisingly vibrant program, where changing arrangements, different media, and current social issues can coexist. The gallery thus not only conveys art but also the process behind the art. ([bbk-muc-obb.de](https://bbk-muc-obb.de/galerie-der-kuenstler/))

The special orientation also includes openness to curated projects with regional and international participation. The BBK explicitly describes the gallery as a place where the entry into professional life has been facilitated for many now-established artists through promotion series for young talent. This makes the gallery one of the addresses in Munich where one can not only admire finished positions but also experience artistic developments. Those searching for Gallery of Artists Munich exhibitions or gallery of artists * inside can therefore rightly expect more than a static permanent exhibition: The program thrives on succession, jury decisions, encounters with new handwriting, and an audience that can experience these processes directly. This mixture of promotion, exhibition practice, and public visibility is the actual core of the place. ([bbk-muc-obb.de](https://bbk-muc-obb.de/galerie-der-kuenstler/ueber-die-galerie/))

Opening Hours, Tickets, and Admission on Site

For planning a visit, the practical information is straightforward and clearly regulated. During ongoing exhibition periods, the gallery is open on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 11 am to 6 pm; on Thursdays, it opens from 1 pm to 8 pm. The gallery is closed on public holidays. This regulation is important because the gallery is not permanently open daily but is oriented towards the respective exhibition operation. Therefore, those starting the search for Gallery of Artists opening hours should pay attention to the calendar of the current exhibition and plan their visit during the ongoing presentation period. For many visitors, this is even an advantage: The place thus feels more like a consciously curated exhibition space and less like a random, always the same house. ([bbk-muc-obb.de](https://bbk-muc-obb.de/galerie-der-kuenstler/ueber-die-galerie/))

The admission prices are also transparent. Regular admission costs 4 euros, reduced 2 euros for students, retirees, artists, and art historians. BBK members receive free admission, group discounts are available upon request, and guided tours are free of charge. This is an attractive framework, especially for art enthusiasts, students, and groups, as a visit can be well planned as a cultural appointment, excursion, or study visit. The gallery consciously positions itself as accessible while also being professionally demanding: The admission is low, the content is sophisticated, and access to guided tours is not hindered by additional admission barriers. Therefore, those who specifically visit the Gallery of Artists Munich receive not only an exhibition but a fairly calculated cultural offer right in the city. ([bbk-muc-obb.de](https://bbk-muc-obb.de/galerie-der-kuenstler/ueber-die-galerie/))

Practical visitor guidance also includes contact details and service information. The gallery can be reached by phone during opening hours at 089 22 04 63, and there is also the email address galerie@bbk-muc-obb.de. When using the museum toilets, the following applies: Toilet use is possible during the opening hours of the Museum Five Continents; if events, workshops, or openings take place outside museum hours, use must be registered in advance at the gallery. This shows how closely the gallery is linked to the neighboring museum and how much the visit remains organizationally tied to its infrastructure. For visitors, this is useful information because it allows them to plan their appointment not only according to the opening hours but also according to the actual schedule of the house. ([bbk-muc-obb.de](https://bbk-muc-obb.de/galerie-der-kuenstler/ueber-die-galerie/))

Directions to Maximilianstraße 42, Parking, and Barrier-Free Access

The location at Maximilianstraße 42 is central and well connected to public transport. The BBK names the nearest stations as the S-Bahn station Isartor, the U4 and U5 to Lehel, and tram lines 17 and 19 to Maxmonument. The address itself is officially confirmed multiple times, as is the route description through the left wing of the Museum Five Continents. Thus, the gallery is not only geographically anchored in the heart of Munich but also in an urban environment where cultural walks, museum visits, and city explorations can be easily combined. Therefore, those searching for Gallery of Artists Maximilianstraße Munich or Gallery of Artists directions receive clear guidance: Traveling by train and tram is the most straightforward option, as the location is right in the city center and in direct proximity to a large museum building. ([bbk-muc-obb.de](https://bbk-muc-obb.de/galerie-der-kuenstler/ueber-die-galerie/))

There is also specific information available for barrier-free access. According to Culture Barrier-Free Munich, the barrier-free entrance is accessible via Knöbelstraße and the courtyard of the rear building; from there, one can reach the arcade corridor in front of the main entrance to the gallery using the elevator of the Museum Five Continents. It is important to note that one should call in advance if this entrance is used. At the same time, the site mentions two designated disabled parking spaces in front of the Museum Five Continents. This is a relevant point for all those asking about Gallery of Artists barrier-free or Gallery of Artists parking: There is a clear, reliable solution for mobility-impaired guests, but it should be noted that use should be coordinated organizationally. The regular main entrance is accessible via a staircase from Maximilianstraße, there is a small ramp in front of the entrance, and overall, access is well described but not completely step-free. ([kultur-barrierefrei-muenchen.de](https://www.kultur-barrierefrei-muenchen.de/galerie-der-kuenstler/))

The internal accessibility of the gallery is also important for visitor planning. The exhibition rooms are described as very large, walkers can be stored on-site after consultation with the staff, and there are folding chairs that can be set up flexibly. At the same time, the barrier-free site points out that there is no wheelchair-accessible toilet and that the toilets are accessible via the foyer and five steps. For blind individuals, the main entrance is accessible via the arcade corridor and seven steps, there is a small ramp in front of the entrance, and guide dogs for the blind are allowed. These details are particularly valuable because they not only claim general accessibility but also precisely describe the actual situation of the spaces. Those planning a visit can better assess whether the gallery is suitable for their needs and can use the contact in advance to clarify paths and access. ([kultur-barrierefrei-muenchen.de](https://www.kultur-barrierefrei-muenchen.de/galerie-der-kuenstler/))

History of the Gallery of Artists since 1900

The history of the gallery goes far beyond the current brand or program. The BBK documents that the Royal Privileged Artists' Association was founded in Munich in 1858. In 1900, the artists assembled there received the ground floor in the Old National Museum, i.e., the current section of the Gallery of Artists, from Prince Regent Luitpold for free exhibition and the development of contemporary visual arts. At that time, the artists' house at Lenbachhaus served as an administrative and meeting building as well as an archive. This makes it clear: The place was from the very beginning not just any exhibition space but a politically and culturally significant address where Munich artists' organizations, the public, and state funding met early on. Therefore, those visiting the gallery today are moving in a space that has been shaped by artistic self-organization over generations. ([bbk-muc-obb.de](https://bbk-muc-obb.de/galerie-der-kuenstler/ueber-die-galerie/))

Following this early phase, a federation was founded in 1905, which was to be limited to economic and social areas and thus achieve a common general representation of artists. From this federation, the Economic Association of Visual Artists of Germany was formed in 1914, which was renamed in 1921. With the fire of the Glass Palace in 1931 and the rise of the National Socialists, all opposition artists' associations were initially dissolved; later, the Reich Chamber of Fine Arts took over the overall organization of artists, so that an independent free representation of the artist community was no longer possible. This passage of history is important for understanding the house because it shows how closely artistic institutions were linked to political frameworks and how much artistic freedom had to be fought for again and again. The gallery is thus not only a place of the present but also an archive of lived cultural-political disputes in Munich. ([bbk-muc-obb.de](https://bbk-muc-obb.de/galerie-der-kuenstler/ueber-die-galerie/))

After World War II, the Professional Association of Visual Artists returned to the premises. In 1946, the BBK, based in the artists' house, received permission to establish the association and was registered in the association register in 1948; in 1947, the premises at Maximilianstraße 42 were handed over to the association at the instigation of the Allies and the Bavarian State Government. Later, there were again structural changes: In 1981, the gallery received a modified exhibition plan and the name GALLERY OF ARTISTS from a young generation of artists. At the same time, the promotion of young artists from Munich and Bavaria became a priority, complemented by curated projects with regional and international participation on current social discourses. In the 1980s, it was possible to prevent, after lengthy negotiations, that the premises had to be relinquished after a renovation of the then Ethnological Museum; after the renovation phase, the gallery resumed its exhibition operations in 1995. In 2021, a renewed impending termination of the gallery premises was averted through the cooperation of all Bavarian BBK associations. This sequence shows very clearly that the location is not coincidental but has been defended repeatedly through institutional persistence. ([bbk-muc-obb.de](https://bbk-muc-obb.de/galerie-der-kuenstler/ueber-die-galerie/))

Rooms, Atmosphere, and Significance for Munich's Art Scene

The Gallery of Artists thrives on its spatial and programmatic duality. On the one hand, it is a historical place with clear cultural continuity; on the other hand, it is made newly readable through its changing exhibitions. The barrier-free information page describes the rooms as very large, points out the flexible folding chairs, and shows that the gallery is intended not only for classic hangings but also for discussions, openings, workshops, and events. The BBK further formulates the goal of the gallery program: The gallery should be a mediating interface between Bavarian, regional, and international artists, the public, commercial gallery business, exhibition houses, and the press. This is precisely what makes the address so interesting for culture enthusiasts who not only want to see a beautiful exhibition but also want to understand how art becomes visible in a professional environment and how artistic careers develop. ([kultur-barrierefrei-muenchen.de](https://www.kultur-barrierefrei-muenchen.de/galerie-der-kuenstler/))

The neighborhood also shapes the character of the place. The gallery is located directly next to the Museum Five Continents, and the route through the arcade corridor or the barrier-free access in the courtyard shows that these two cultural institutions are closely connected. This proximity creates an urban museum experience where different perspectives on art, history, and the present complement each other. Therefore, those visiting the Gallery of Artists are not in a closed specialized space but are part of the Munich cultural fabric. The 2 disabled parking spaces in front of the museum, the different access points, and the relatively small organizational hurdles make the visit easy to plan in everyday life, even if some areas are only accessible via steps. This mixture of central location, historical substance, and pragmatic usability is typical for a place that has been mediating between art production and public communication for decades. ([kultur-barrierefrei-muenchen.de](https://www.kultur-barrierefrei-muenchen.de/galerie-der-kuenstler/))

The gallery holds a special place in the Munich art scene because it not only shows but also promotes. Formats like Debutants, The First Years of Professionalism, and the Bavarian Art Promotion Prize make it a stage for positions that are still on the way or for which professional visibility is particularly important. At the same time, the changing exhibition events ensure that even experienced visitors can regularly discover something new. Those searching for Gallery of Artists photos are often interested in impressions, but the actual strength of this house lies on-site: in the historical rooms, the changing arrangements, the open encounters, and the immediate experience of art in the context of a strong professional representation. Thus, the gallery remains a place where contemporary art in Munich is not only presented but actively made possible. ([bbk-muc-obb.de](https://bbk-muc-obb.de/ueber-uns/aufgaben-und-struktur/))

Sources:

• BBK Munich and Upper Bavaria – About the Gallery ([bbk-muc-obb.de](https://bbk-muc-obb.de/galerie-der-kuenstler/ueber-die-galerie/))
• BBK Munich and Upper Bavaria – Gallery of Artists ([bbk-muc-obb.de](https://bbk-muc-obb.de/galerie-der-kuenstler/))
• BBK Munich and Upper Bavaria – Tasks and Structure ([bbk-muc-obb.de](https://bbk-muc-obb.de/ueber-uns/aufgaben-und-struktur/))
• Culture Barrier-Free Munich – Gallery of Artists ([kultur-barrierefrei-muenchen.de](https://www.kultur-barrierefrei-muenchen.de/galerie-der-kuenstler/))