Kunst Archiv Darmstadt

In the location's words:

Founded in 1984 as the "Archiv Darmstädter Künstler" by a circle of committed Darmstadt art lovers, the Kunst Archiv Darmstadt e.V. with its more than 500 members has become an integral part of the city's cultural life. It is a documentation, library and exhibition venue all in one. Volunteers collect documents on visual artists from the region and exhibition venues in and around Darmstadt on a daily basis, including CVs, newspaper articles, photos, letters and exhibition files and reviews.

The art collection comprises around 20,000 works from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries, including a collection of posters and several estates of Darmstadt artists, including Karl Deppert, Esteban Fekete, Friedrich Wilhelm Jochem, Helmut Lortz, Annelise Reichmann, Karl Thylmann and Helga Föhl. The library contains around 4,500 volumes of artist monographs, catalogs raisonnés, more general writings on the Darmstadt art scene and the Kunst Archiv's own publications. Parallel to its archival work, the Kunst Archiv presents changing exhibitions and events.

Use of the archive

The Kunst Archiv Darmstadt is located in the Literaturhaus Darmstadt. As a public archive, the Kunst Archiv is not only available to its 550 members, but also to anyone interested in art. The document, book and art collection holdings can also be used without prior registration. The library is a reference library. There are workstations in the bright and open rooms. A photocopier is available. Staff are available for on-site assistance or written inquiries. A large part of the art collection is housed in external depots and can therefore only be viewed on request.

Exhibitions and events

Parallel to the archive work, the Art Archive organizes changing exhibitions on Darmstadt art, often on topics that have not yet been dealt with or have not been dealt with elsewhere. The exhibitions are free to visit. The Kunst Archiv also organizes a parallel programme of art-historical lectures, readings, guided tours, art trips and art talks. The extensive parallel program is free of charge for members; non-members can participate for a small entrance fee.