Collections of the Munich Pinakothek der Moderne
- Art: The Modern Art Collection is part of the Bavarian State Painting Collection.
- Graphics: Exhibits from the Munich State Collection of Prints and Drawings are displayed here.
- Architecture: The Technical University of Munich has housed its architecture museum here.
- Design: The Design Museum presents state-of-the-art design as a new collection.
Concept and building of the Pinakothek
The word "Pinakothek" derives from the Greek pínax = painting and thēkē = place of storage. The facility in Munich's Kunstareal is part of the concept of grouping cultural institutions in this spatial environment. The museum building was designed by architect Stephan Braunfels, who opted for an open, very modern structure.
The building has been universally praised internationally as a success. It was financed by private donations, which provided the initial funding of ten million euros. Subsequently, the Free State of Bavaria assumed the further costs and also made available the Munich property on which there had once been a Turkish barracks. Originally, university institutes were to be built there. Just 18 months after its opening in September 2002, two million visitors had already visited the Munich Pinakothek der Moderne.
The white structure is made of exposed concrete. Inside, two large staircases lead from a central double-shell rotunda to the collections. The design collection is located in the basement, while the first floor houses the graphics collection, the architecture collection and temporary exhibitions. Classical Modernism has been placed on the upper floor (west wing), while contemporary art is located in the east wing.
Arts Education in the Munich Pinakothek
Visitors of all ages greatly appreciate the arts education offered at the Pinakothek through guided tours and workshops. These are run by the museum's own team and specialists from the Munich Volkshochschule. This includes special programs for school classes and even daycare centers, such as a scavenger hunt across the museum and discovery tours for children. The Pinakothek der Moderne offers these programs free of charge in six languages.
