Florian Trott, March 18, 2020

Closed – all of a sudden

March 8, 2020: Just a few days after celebrating the closing of the successful exhibition “Hans Baldung Grien. Sacred | Profane” (Grand exhibition of Baden-Württemberg) the Kunsthalle Karlsruhe is facing drastic changes.

On the last day of the exhibition, we were able to welcome over 1,000 visitors. In total, over 60,000 art lovers visited the Baldung show at the Kunsthalle. Even though some groups cancelled their bookings and guided tours in response to the spread of coronavirus, the upcoming crisis was not forseeable for the Kunsthalle.

Only four days later, as a precautionary measure, we proactively cancelled guided tours, workshops and all other events.

March 13, 2020: The city council of Karlsruhe passes an ordinance in the early evening, which states that cultural institutions must remain closed, effective immediately. Ever since, it has become increasingly challenging to predict the negative repercussions of the coronavirus, but certainly the reality of its impact hit us hard. The Kunsthalle, like all other cultural and educational institutions, will remain closed for the time being. At this point, no predictions about what comes next can be made.

Even though the museum is closed, behind the scenes, we continue our work – for the most part, under different or unusual conditions. The Kunsthalle remains open to the public online. Digital media are available – anywhere and anytime. In times like these, the importance and value of cultural offerings, as well as a diverse and functioning cultural landscape become apparent.

In the following days, we will present a variety of educational activities on our website and social media. On the blog, we will share insights into our day-to-day work while the museum is closed. Let us know in the comment section below if there are any topics that you are particularily interested in.

We look forward to your feedback. Join in the conversation with us and others and stay connected. Take care!