ideas and goals

an exhibition institute for international contemporary art
Located in a distinguished, smartly designed exhibition space within Hanover’s city center, the kestnergesellschaft numbers among the largest and most acclaimed German “Kunstvereine” or art associations. Since the foundation of the institution in 1916, our presence in the contemporary art world not only survived, but thrived throughout the explosive artistic, social and technological developments of the 20th century. Our goal in the 21st century continues to be the presentation of new work by important and relevant artists within the global context.

The visible present, not only interpreted and contested within the visual arts but also in architecture, fashion and design, is a central focus of our interest in art presentation and dissemination. Contemporary music and literature, along with the theoretical positions of both philosophy and the humanities, inform the kestner’s interdisciplinary approach toward contemporary ideas, knowledge production, struggles and debates.

program
Our exhibitions, along with our catalogues and guided tours, offer members a wide range of events and services, such as kestnerlectures, kestnerconcerts and kestnereditions. With the interdisciplinary kestnerlabor, or kestner “lab,” we have a diverse range of programs through which we can provide our visitors and more than four thousand members the opportunity to experience and interact with the most up-to-date ideas, art, and creative trends at an international level.

support
Our work is supported by the State of Lower Saxony, our corporate partners, kestnergesellschaft members, the patrons’ circle and Kunstkomm, the young patrons’ circle of the kestnergesellschaft, and many others.