Skulptur Projekte Münster 2026 — Preliminary Programme

One of the World's Most Important Art Events

Since their inception in 1977, the Skulptur Projekte Münster have been one of the most significant art events globally — every ten years, Münster's urban landscape transforms into an open art gallery where international artists present site-specific sculptures. The 6th Skulptur Projekte will take place in 2027 — from June 13 to October 3, 2027, with a special focus on the 50th anniversary of the initiative (1977-2027). The preliminary programme is already underway — with several sessions, lectures, and opening events in 2026.

The 2026 Preliminary Programme — The Skulptur Projekte Sessions

Starting in spring 2026, the series 'Skulptur Projekte Sessions' will launch — public events designed to prepare for the upcoming main exhibition, introduce visitors to thematic questions, and foster dialogue between artists, curators, and the public.

Opening — April 23, 2026, from 6 p.m.

The series kicks off with 'An Evening with WHW': the artistic direction collective will make its first public appearance at B-Side am Hafen. WHW (What, How & for Whom) will be the first all-female artistic direction in the history of the Skulptur Projekte in 2027 — a historic moment already generating significant attention.

July 2026 — Lecture 'Museums in Contact'

On July 7, 2026, at 6 p.m., curator Vincent Schier will deliver the lecture 'Museums in Contact' at the Kunstakademie Münster. This talk reflects on the relationship between institutions and art in public spaces, serving as preparatory theory for the 2027 edition.

Further Sessions 2026

Throughout 2026, additional lectures, discussions, and artist talks will take place — dates and programmes will be successively published on skulptur-projekte.de and stadt-muenster.de/skulptur-projekte.

WHW — The First All-Female Artistic Direction

The collective What, How & for Whom (WHW) was founded in Zagreb in 1999 and comprises curators Ivet Ćurlin, Sabina Sabolović, Nataša Ilić, and Ana Dević. WHW is internationally recognized for its politically ambitious and socially engaged curatorial work — including their role as artistic directors of Kunsthalle Wien (2019-2024) and the 11th Istanbul Biennale (2009). Their appointment as artistic directors for Skulptur Projekte 2027 signals a significant shift — the established, male-dominated tradition is opening up to new perspectives, curatorial approaches, and a feminist-influenced culture of discourse.

Skulptur Projekte 2027 — The Main Exhibition

• Duration: June 13 to October 3, 2027 (4 months)
• Occasion: 50 Years of Skulptur Projekte (1977-2027)
• Format: Site-specific sculptures by international artists in Münster's public urban space
• Admission: Free access (a classic hallmark of Skulptur Projekte)
• Organizers: LWL-Museum für Kunst und Kultur + City of Münster

The History of Skulptur Projekte

The Skulptur Projekte were founded in 1977 by Klaus Bußmann and Kasper König and have taken place every ten years since — 1977, 1987, 1997, 2007, 2017, and 2027. They have established Münster on the international art map and left permanent site-specific works in the urban landscape — from Henry Moore's 'Sculpture' at Schlossplatz to Donald Judd's 'Untitled' in the Sculpture Garden. Each edition re-examines the relationship between art, public space, and the city.

Venues for the Preliminary Programme

• B-Side am Hafen: Alternative cultural venue at Münster's harbour, an ideal location for the opening session
• Kunstakademie Münster: The University of Fine Arts, a place of education and discourse
• Other Locations 2026: Various sites within the city, depending on the programme theme