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 enduring presence in the contemporary art world has survived and 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
With our exhibitions, accompanying catalogues and guided tours, the kestnergesellschaft offers its members a series of events and services such as kestnerlectures, the kestnerconcerts and the 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 the international level in a vital and discriminating manner.

support
We are supported in our work by the State of Lower Saxony, our corporate partners, kestnergesellschaft members, the patrons' circle and Kunstkomm, the young patrons' circle of the kestnergesellschaft, among others.