The city has numerous history, science, and art exhibitions on (or planned) at any one time. This list covers the major museums and venues. Click/tap to view by topic:
- Personal tips for the coming days
- Art history & art around 1900
- Modern and contemporary art
- Design & architecture
- Photography
- History, culture & current affairs
- Science, nature & music
A few notes:
- Most locations have permanent displays too, of course. So you’ll always find Klimt at the Belvedere and Leopold museums, for example, or Picasso at the Albertina
- Many also have small exhibitions and installations or those intended for local audiences, which I often won’t cover here
- Check the event listings for suggested exhibition highlights for each month of the year
- Exhibitions in Vienna almost always present information in at least English and German, but you may find one or two exceptions
- See also:
Personal tips
(Jean-Michel Basquiat; Untitled, 1983; screen print on canvas; Nicola Erni Collection, Reto Pedrini Photography © Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Licensed by Artestar, New York)
Jean-Michel Basquiat
- Runs to Jan 8, 2023
- Large retrospective
- Some 50 major works
- Full of raging creativity
- Rare coup for Austria
- At the Albertina
Special mention(s)
- Idols & Rivals at the Kunsthistorisches Museum (until January 8th, 2023): dozens of masterpieces from European history’s great art clashes
- George Nuku at the Weltmuseum Wien (until January 31st, 2023): fascinating and thought-provoking
What art exhibitions are on?
Let us begin with…
Art history & art around 1900
(The Kunsthistorisches Museum)
I update this section about once a month, but do check locally and with official sites for any changes, particularly to the dates of future exhibitions.
Lower Belvedere
- Grow: art exhibition dedicated to the tree in art history (September 23rd, 2022 to January 8th, 2023)
- Klimt: exhibition of his art in the context of those works that inspired and influenced him, so includes numerous paintings etc. from predecessors like van Gogh and contemporaries (February 3rd to May 29th, 2023)
- Klimt: a detailed exploration of the techniques, materials and work processes behind his art (January 26th to September 8th, 2024)
Kunsthistorisches Museum
- Idols and Rivals: the great year-end exhibition which highlights the competitive nature of art and artists, showcasing the Baroque and Renaissance masterpieces that emerged as a result (September 20th, 2022 to January 8th, 2023)
- Around the World in 80 Coins: coins as the traveler’s companion, with anecdotes concerning historical personalities (April 26th, 2022 to June 23rd, 2023)
- Colour in Black and White: a closer look at the work of Josef Löwy, who photographed the Imperial painting collection at the end of the 19th century on its transfer to the new museum (October 28th, 2022 to May 1st, 2023)
- Aphrodite von Ephesos: start of an exhibition series always featuring one piece from the museum’s collection of Greek and Roman Antiquities (September 30th to May 21st, 2023)
Albertina
- Jakob, Franz and Rudolf von Alt: watercolour masterpieces from this family of artists (November 9th, 2022 to January 29th, 2023)
- The Print: Dürer to Picasso: printed graphics from its early days through to modern art. See also the sister exhibition at the Albertina Modern below (January 27th to May 21st, 2023)
- Bruegel and his Time: works from the golden age of drawing that was the Netherlands in the 16th century (February 14th to May 29th, 2023)
- The Grand History: paintings of historical moments in their wider sense, including mythology, religion and events of the past (June 2nd to September 3rd, 2023)
- Michelangelo and the Consequences: the traditional major year-end exhibition features the great master and his influence on both his peers and later artists (September 15th, 2023 to January 7th, 2024)
Marx Halle
- Monet’s Garden: a multimedia art experience that explores the life and works of Claude Monet (October 20th, 2022 to January 22nd, 2023)
Leopold Museum
- Hagenbund: history and works of this radical artist collective from its 1900 establishment to its ending (and persecution of members) by the Nazis (September 16th, 2022 to February 6th, 2023)
Academy of Fine Arts
- The Purloined Masterpiece. Images as Time Machines: presents a selection from the academy’s old masters paintings and other historical collections in dialogue with contemporary works (April 8th, 2022 to January 29th, 2023)
Dom Museum
- The Meal: a reflection in historical and contemporary art of the role of meals in communities and cultures (September 29th, 2022 to August 27th, 2023)
Wien Museum MUSA
- Big city / small format: exhibition focused on Vienna in postcards (May 4th to September 24th, 2023)
Modern art & contemporary art
(The Bank Austria Kunstforum Wien)
I update this section about once a month, but do check locally and with official sites for any changes, particularly to the dates of future exhibitions.
Albertina
- Basquiat: retrospective featuring over 80 major works (September 9th, 2022 to January 8th, 2023)
- Two artist collectives in Austria: works by two artist duos; Peter Hauenschild and Georg Ritter & Markus Muntean and Adi Rosenblum (October 5th, 2022 to January 15th, 2023)
- Ruth Baumgarte: paintings by the German artist and inspired by Africa (December 8th, 2022 to March 5th, 2023)
- Alex Katz – Cool Painting: major tribute to the US artist that draws on the Albertina’s extensive collection of his works (March 7th to June 4th, 2023)
- Ofer Lellouche: solo exhibition for the Tunisian artist (June 29th to September 24th, 2023)
- Gottfried Helnwein: selected works from the last two decades (October 13th, 2023 to January 28th, 2024)
Albertina Modern
- Ways of Freedom: major autumn exhibition on the New York School’s abstract expressionism and featuring such names as Rothko, Pollock, and Lassnig (October 15th, 2022 to January 22nd, 2023)
- Karl Anton Fleck: solo exhibition for this Austrian artist (November 18th, 2022 to January 22nd, 2023)
- The Print: Warhol to Kiefer: post-1945 printed graphics with resonant names from the pop art world and other genres (February 23rd to August 15th, 2023)
- Yoshitomo Nara: paintings, objects and graphic works from the contemporary Japanese artist (May 11th to September 30th, 2023)
- Diversity in Race, Sex, & Gender: an exhibition that closes the gaps between old white men of art history and diverse, still underrepresented, voices in contemporary art (from September 1st, 2023)
Upper Belvedere
- Rona Pondick: the year-end Carlone Contemporary piece featuring the Monkeys installation (September 23rd, 2022 to January 8th, 2023)
- Public Matters: contemporary sculptures from various artists in the Baroque gardens (May 15th to September 30th, 2023)
Lower Belvedere
- Grow: the role of the tree through art history until the current day (September 23rd, 2022 to January 8th, 2023)
- Public Matters: contemporary sculptures from various artists in the privy garden and palace courtyard (May 15th to September 30th, 2023)
- Louise Bourgeois: solo exhibition with her paintings from the 1940s in dialogue with later works (September 22nd, 2023 to January 28th, 2024)
Bank Austria Kunstforum Wien
- Kiki Kogelnik: the largest solo exhibition to date for this multifaceted Austrian artist, perhaps best-known internationally for her contributions to pop art (February 2nd to June 25th, 2023)
- Robert Motherwell: solo exhibition for the American abstract expressionist (October 13th, 2023 to January 14th, 2024)
The MAK
- Picture Books: artistic expression and communication through the medium of the printed tome, with examples from the 1960s to the present day (October 12th, 2022 to March 5th, 2023)
- 100 Best Posters: the 16th iteration of this competition showcasing the hundred best works from the world of artistic poster design in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria (October 19th, 2022 to March 5th, 2023)
- Birke Gorm: sculptures by the Hamburg-born artist (February 1st to June 25th, 2023)
- Entangled Relations – Animated Bodies: installation by Sonja Bäumel and was Austria’s official contribution to the 23rd Triennale di Milano (February 1st to April 30th, 2023
Heidi Horten Collection
- LOOK: art and fashion and the interaction between the two (with a feminine perspective), featuring numerous modern and contemporary art works but also custom dresses from famous designers (October 21st, 2022 to April 16th, 2023)
Leopold Museum
- Tilla Durieux: tracing the story of this star of film and theatre, who was portrayed in various artistic media by a host of contemporary artists, including Renoir, Kokoschka, and Oppenheimer (October 14th, 2022 to February 27th, 2023)
Academy of Fine Arts
- The Purloined Masterpiece. Images as Time Machines: highlights from the historical collections juxtaposed with contemporary works (April 8th, 2022 to January 29th, 2023)
Weltmuseum Wien
- Chaekgeori: exhibition of still-life paintings by contemporary Korean artists (April 21st, 2022 to April 11th, 2023)
- George Nuku: the exhibition Oceans. Collections. Reflections. features the work of the New Zealand artist and carver (June 23rd, 2022 to January 31st, 2023)
- Dark Pairing: Wie-yi T. Lauw’s screen images offer a metaphor that invites critical examination of colonialism (May 20th 2021 to September 30th, 2023)
- Science Fiction(s): a look at the future and science fiction through the lens of contemporary artists and indigenous voices (March 30th, 2023 to January 9th, 2024)
- Beyond the Future: presenting various forms of modern Japanese calligraphy (March 30th to September 12th, 2023)
- Sparrow War: solo exhibition for Maximilian Prüfer and his examination of two historical campaigns by Mao in China and their resonance for today’s world (May 18th, 2023 to April 10th, 2024)
Theseus Temple
- Space Mosque: artist Saks Afridi poses the question of what might pass if all our prayers were answered (April 21st to October 8th, 2023)
Künstlerhaus
- Loving Others: cooperation, collaboration, collectives and artists groups form the focus (October 13th, 2022 to January 15th, 2023
- On the Road again: contemporary Austrian art conceived in relation to locations around the world (February 17th to May 21st)
The Kunsthalle
All at the MuseumsQuartier site unless marked as the Karlsplatz site.
- Exhibitions for the works of:
- Sanja Iveković (October 4th, 2022 to March 12th, 2023)
- Rajkamal Kahlon (December 1st, 2022 to April 9th, 2023)
- In the meantime, midday comes around (Karlsplatz): group exhibition around work and unemployment and their role along the political spectrum (November 10th, 2022 to May 1st, 2023)
MUMOK
- Solo exhibitions:
- Emília Rigová (October 8th to March 5th, 2023)
- Changes: presents new acquisitions, but also uses them to throw new light on works from the existing collection (October 8th, 2022 to January 29th, 2023
- Das Tier in Dir: art and animal life in the broadest meaning of the term; one that includes humanity’s sociobiological context (September 22nd, 2022 to February 26th, 2023)
- mixed up with others before we even begin: juxtapositions that create hybrid constructs where the elements within may complement, contradict or clash (November 26th, 2022 to April 10th, 2023)
Belvedere 21
- Avant-Garde and the Contemporary: a themed presentation of the treasures among the more recent works in the Belvedere collection (September 15th, 2021 to February 19th, 2023)
- Stanislava Kovalcikova: and another first solo exhibition in Austria, this time for the Düsseldorf-based painter (September 16th, 2022 to February 5th, 2023)
- Gerwald Rockenschaub: exhibition of works by this radical minimalist and long-time Berlin resident (November 25th, 2022 to March 12th, 2023)
- Alois Mosbacher: immersive exhibition by this Austrian visual artist ( March 10th to September 23rd, 2023)
- Constanze Ruhm: exhibition of feminist art from (or selected by) this Austrian contemporary video artist (March 16th to August 27th, 2023)
- On the New: multiple artists, curators, and projects present a wide-ranging selection of contemporary Austrian art (April 6th, 2023 to January 14th, 2024)
- Public Matters: contemporary sculptures from various artists in the garden area (May 15th to September 30th, 2023)
- Belvedere Art Award: solo exhibition for the winner of this new art prize (September 8th, 2023 to February 18th, 2024)
- Renate Bertlmann: major retrospective for this national great and major figure in the Austrian (feminist) avant-garde (September 29th, 2023 to March 3rd, 2024)
- Walter Pichler < > Friedrich Kiesler: a dialogue between these two artists (June 28th to October 6th, 2024)
Dom Museum
- The Meal: a reflection in historical and contemporary art of the role of meals in communities and cultures (September 29th, 2022 to August 27th, 2023)
Stable Gallery im Palais Brambilla
- The Dumb Speech: solo exhibition for Sun Hee Moon featuring works whose theme reflects a manifesto against intolerance. Viewing by appointment only (November 24th to January 23rd)
Sigmund Freud Museum
- SURREAL! Imagining New Realities: explores the interactions and relationships between surrealism and psychoanalysis with numerous works on display from the Klewan collection and elsewhere (May 5th, 2022 to April 10th, 2023)
Design & architecture
(The MAK)
I update this section about once a month, but do check locally and with official sites for any changes, particularly to the dates of future exhibitions.
The MAK
- Werkstätte Hagenauer: objects from the 90-year history of this Viennese art metal workshop established in 1898 (November 16th, 2022 to September 3rd, 2023)
- The Fest: a German word for celebration or party and the exhibition explores the creative impulses and output driven by these ephemeral events…from rococo masked balls to modern-day raves (December 14th, 2022 to May 7th, 2023)
- Falten: special exhibition of the MAK Asia collection looking at the role of “Falten” (English: folds, creases, wrinkles) in a variety of contexts and design forms (February 1st to May 21st, 2023)
National Library
- Fischer von Erlach and the Emperor’s State Hall: special exhibition around the construction in the early 1700s of the extraordinary main hall of the national library (January 12th to March 5th, 2023)
Vienna Furniture Museum
- Finer Dining: the story of Amboss cutlery against the general background of the development of Austria’s food and living culture across the 50s and 60s (September 28th, 2022 to April 16th, 2023)
Architekturzentrum Wien
- Europe’s Best Buildings: as the title suggests, with highlights of the 2022 European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture. Mies van der Rohe Award (October 6th, 2022 to January 23rd, 2023)
Wien Museum MUSA
- Studio Bauhaus, Vienna: covers the living spaces and furniture designed by two followers of the Bauhaus approach between the two world wars – Friedl Dicker and Franz Singer (November 24th, 2022 to March 26th, 2023)
Ringturm
- Excellent environments: projects shortlisted for the Bauherrenpreis 2021 architectural prize with a focus on the six winners (October 4th, 2022 to January 13th, 2023)
Porcelain Museum
- Leopoldina: porcelain in the context of the life of Archduchess Maria Leopoldine (1797-1826), particularly her time as empress in Brazil (June 28th to November 19th, 2022)
Photography
(The Kunsthaus Wien)
I update this section about once a month, but do check locally and with official sites for any changes, particularly to the dates of future exhibitions.
Kunst Haus Wien
- Unseen Places: showcases the photography of Gregor Sailer with a focus on architecture rarely seen due to its inaccessibility to the casual visitor (September 15th, 2022 to February 19th, 2023)
Bank Austria Kunstforum Wien
- Helmut Newton Legacy: huge retrospective of the legendary photographer, with a mix of iconic and rare works (October 19th, 2022 to January 15th, 2023)
Albertina
- Valie Export: although perhaps best-known for her performance art and wide use of diverse media, this exhibition focuses on the Austrian artist’s photography (June 23rd to September 24th, 2023)
Albertina Modern
- Pictoralism: progressive photographic art from the late 19th and early 20th century in Austria (early February to April 30th, 2023)
Westlicht
- Ernst Haas: a retrospective for the Vienna born photojournalist, Hasselblad Award winner, and one-time president of Magnum Photos (November 17th, 2022 to February 12th, 2023)
Other major exhibitions
History, culture & current affairs
(The Jewish Museum)
I update this section about once a month, but do check locally and with official sites for any changes, particularly to the dates of future exhibitions.
Jewish Museum
- Espresso at Last!: the history of the famous Café Arabia and businessman Alfred Weiss, who brought Italian espresso culture into the heart of Vienna (May 25th, 2022 to March 19th, 2023)
- Apologies: centered on James T. Hong’s video presentation of political leaders apologising (October 13th, 2022 to February 12th, 2023)
- 100 Misunderstandings about and among Jews: explores the misconceptions that lead to, for example, Jewish stereotypes (November 30th, 2022 to June 4th, 2023)
Literature Museum
- Ingeborg Bachmann: a homage to the acclaimed Austrian writer featuring, for example, items from her estate, letters, photos, recordings, drafts, and more (November 17th, 2022 to November 5th, 2023)
METAStadt
- Harry Potter exhibition: major interactive experience reaches Vienna (December 16th, 2022 to spring, 2023)
Lower Belvedere
- The Belvedere. 300 Years a Venue for Art: celebrates the 300-year anniversary of Belvedere with a comprehensive review of its role through time (December 2nd, 2022 to January 7th, 2024)
Weltmuseum
- Extinctions!?: explores narratives of extinction from different perspectives (February 23rd, 2023 to January 16th, 2024)
- Science Fiction(s): a look at the future and science fiction through the lens of contemporary artists and indigenous voices (March 30th, 2023 to January 9th, 2024)
Papyrus Museum
- Crescent Moon over the Nile: tracing the spread of Arab influence in byzantine Egypt through the evidence presented on papyrus (June 3rd, 2022 to May 7th, 2023)
House of Austrian History
- Disposing of Hitler: addresses the issues surrounding the treatment of relics from the time of the Nazis (December 12th, 2021 to January 8th, 2023)
- End of Testimony?: looks at the relationship between Holocaust survivors and those who interview them (January 27th to September 3rd, 2023)
Science, nature & music
(No prizes for guessing the name of this museum)
I update this section about once a month, but do check locally and with official sites for any changes, particularly to the dates of future exhibitions.
Technical Museum
- BioInspiration: how disciplines like architecture, medicine, transport and material science have drawn inspiration from nature and natural systems (from October 26th, 2022 to August 2023)
Natural History Museum
- Brazil: the natural history of the country set within the context of important issues and two centuries of relations with Austria (June 8th, 2022 to April 23rd, 2023)
Theatermuseum
- Austropop: Austrian pop phenomena in the widest sense of the expression (from Mozart to the modern) and viewed from different perspectives (October 12th, 2022 to September 4th, 2023)