KunstRaus — Open-Air Exhibition Saarn 2026

Art in Public Space — for Five Months

While classic art fairs concentrate on a few weekends and galleries usually remain in protected indoor spaces, KunstRaus takes a different approach: five months of art in the public street space of Mülheim's Saarn district. From May 8 to September 30, 2026, paintings, sculptures, and installations will be spread throughout the neighborhood's streets, courtyards, and squares — residents, strollers, and visitors will encounter the works in their daily lives.

2026 Theme: BRIDGES

The 2026 theme is "BRIDGES" — deliberately intended to be understood in a double sense: bridges between cultures, generations, artistic styles, but also, quite concretely, the bridge as an architectural motif. The participating artists have adapted their works for outdoor spaces, some created specifically for the theme.

2026 Artists — Renowned Names

The 2026 artist list is impressive for a neighborhood exhibition:

• Jim Dine — American Pop Art and Neo-Dada artist
• David Hockney — British painter, one of the most significant figures in contemporary art
• Emil Nolde — Expressionist (works from the estate)
• Klaus Florian — contemporary painter
• FRANEK — Polish artist, representing the German-Polish encounter tradition of the KunstRaus concept
• Matthias Lahme — Mülheim artist
• Andrea Lehmann — contemporary artist

Opening Reception on May 8

The opening reception will take place on Thursday, May 8, 2026, at 5 PM at the community center of the Protestant church at Holunderstraße 5. The program includes a welcome address, an artistic introduction, musical contributions, and an initial tour of the outdoor exhibition in the surrounding district.

Saarn — Mülheim District with Tradition

Saarn is one of the most traditional districts of Mülheim an der Ruhr. With its half-timbered houses, the Saarn Monastery (founded in 1214), and its quiet, village-like character, Saarn offers a deliberate contrast to the Ruhr area's industrial architecture. Precisely this character makes the district an ideal setting for an open-air exhibition — art here does not exist in a gallery bubble, but within the organically grown historical urban space.

Concept: Art and Encounter

The subtitle "Begegnung Spotkanie" (Polish for "Encounter") refers to the German-Polish cultural exchange program that shapes KunstRaus. Polish and German artists collaborate, and bridges between languages and cultures are a recurring motif. The program is supported by the Mülheim an der Ruhr Cultural Office.

How to Visit the Exhibition?

Since the works are spread throughout Saarn's streetscape for five months, there is no fixed admission time — you can experience the exhibition anytime during a stroll. A tour map with all locations is available at the Protestant church's community center and on the Cultural Office's website.