The Centre d’art contemporain Genève, founded in 1974 as a Kunsthalle, is the leading contemporary art institution in French-speaking Switzerland. With no permanent collection, it stages exhibitions dedicated to the emerging local and international art scene, in the Quartier des Bains.
Fine and applied arts museums
Main highlights
- Over 300 exhibitions presented, featuring Andy Warhol, Cindy Sherman, Nan Goldin and Joseph Beuys
- Every medium : painting, video, performance, design, architecture, dance and photography
- Artist talks, debates, performances and guided tours around the works
Overview
Founded in 1974 as the Kunsthalle de Genève, the Centre d’art contemporain Genève is the first contemporary art institution in French-speaking Switzerland. Located in the Quartier des Bains, it is devoted exclusively to current artistic creation.
A Kunsthalle is a space for production, research and experimentation. Unlike a museum, it has no collection. It designs exhibitions, connects the public with artists from the emerging local and international scene, and publishes catalogues and art books.
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What to see and do
The exhibitions cover every field of contemporary practice : architecture, dance, design, drawing, new media, installation, music, painting, performance, photography, sculpture and video. They change regularly, so there is always a reason to return and discover new approaches.
The Centre has presented over 300 exhibitions, featuring artists such as Joseph Beuys, Olaf Breuning, Maurizio Cattelan, Nan Goldin, Dan Graham, On Kawara, Ugo Rondinone, Thomas Scheibitz, Shirana Shahbazi, Cindy Sherman and Andy Warhol.
The programme also includes artist talks, themed debates and performances, opening up a direct dialogue between artists and the public. Guided tours offer keys to understanding the works within their historical and conceptual context.
Practical information
Getting there : bus 1 (“Ecole de médecine” stop), buses 2 and 19 (“Musée d’ethnographie” or “Bains” stops), trams 12, 17 and 18 (“Plainpalais” stop) and tram 15 (“Cirque” stop).
Visit duration : allow at least an hour to explore the exhibition spaces.
Audience : contemporary art lovers, students and school groups.
On site : a bookshop sells the exhibition catalogues.
Visitor tips
Check the Centre’s website before your visit to find out about the current exhibition and any scheduled talks or performances. Joining a guided tour helps when approaching the more challenging works.
The exhibition catalogues sold in the bookshop document the featured artists and extend the visit.
Nearby
- The Mamco Musée d’art moderne et contemporain occupies a former factory and brings together more than 6,000 works from 1945 onwards.
- The Patek Philippe Museum showcases more than five centuries of watchmaking art in a restored Art Deco building.
- The Cimetière des Rois, founded in the 18th century, holds the graves of notable Genevan figures.
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