The historic Orangery of the State Art Museum in Karlsruhe is set to reopen in early September after years of extensive renovation work, offering a bright spot for the city's cultural landscape that has been heavily impacted by ongoing construction projects. The distinctive domed building on Hans-Thoma-Straße will welcome visitors back through a special citizens' festival called "Room to Grow," marking the first phase of the facility's gradual reopening to the public.
While the main museum building has been closed for nearly four years due to a comprehensive renovation project that will continue for several more years, the Orangery's restoration provides a temporary solution for exhibition space. The museum's art collection has been partially displayed at an interim location in the ZKM (Center for Art and Media) during the closure, but the reopening of the Orangery will allow for a partial return to the institution's original home.
Museum Director Frédéric Bußmann expressed his enthusiasm about the development, stating that "we can partially return to our natural habitat." The reopening was originally planned a year earlier, but construction work in the historic building has now been completed. Starting in November, the Orangery will host a special exhibition titled "Archistoris," focusing on architecture in art.
The reopening will begin with the Rotunda section of the Orangery, located at the edge of Karlsruhe's Botanical Garden. The month-long "Room to Grow" festival will run from September 6 through October 5, featuring Karlsruhe groups and organizations invited by the Art Museum to present a diverse program accessible to all community members.
This initiative represents the implementation of a vision that Director Bußmann announced when he took office. He emphasized that the museum must establish itself as a social and political actor in the community, beyond its exhibition projects and high-level academic work. Bußmann aims to develop the Art Museum as a venue for public debates and discourse. The "Room to Grow" festival will serve as the launch for the "New Neighborhoods" initiative, through which the Art Museum hopes to create opportunities for exchange and cultural encounters throughout the city.
The historic Orangery holds significant architectural importance, having been designed by Heinrich Hübsch, who also planned the original Art Museum. Hübsch, who served as the grand ducal court building director, created the Orangery between 1853 and 1863. His design combined nature and architecture to achieve a picturesque effect that continues to characterize the site today, creating a harmonious ensemble with the Botanical Garden setting.
The public can visit the Rotunda for free events beginning Saturday, September 6, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Following the opening day, the space will be accessible from September 6 through September 26, Tuesday through Friday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., and on all weekends through October 5 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The festival program will include a wide variety of cultural activities designed to engage different segments of the community. Scheduled events include readings, dance performances, concerts, workshops, swap meets, and foreign language courses. Additionally, the Art Museum will provide information about the construction planning for the historic main building, keeping the public informed about the ongoing renovation project's progress and future timeline.
