ART COLOGNE

They expected 800, maybe 1,000 visitors. 15,000 came in the fall of 1967 when the world's first fair for modern and contemporary art opened its doors – a bombshell in the German art market. Initiated by Cologne gallery owners Hein Stünke and Rudolf Zwirner, with 16 participating galleries. 

Today, around 150-170 renowned national and international galleries participate in the fair annually, with photographs, prints and paintings, sculptures, installations, and multiples. For the approximately 45,000 art enthusiasts, the curious, or collectors from about 60-70 countries, there is art in all price segments. 

Location for Modern Art – Why Cologne?

After the war, Germany lost its capital and traditional art centers, but in the Rhineland – a hub of the Western European economy, with Bonn as the new capital – a new cultural center developed over the years. Not only did many artists live and work here, but there were and are also more private and corporate collectors here than anywhere else in Europe. 

Additionally, Cologne's central location as a railway hub and its close links with the Benelux countries contributed to the region's importance. This was already an excellent foundation for the art market around 1960 and certainly a reason why ART COLOGNE still exists today, despite having lost its once leading international role to Art Paris, Art Basel, and the art fairs in Miami Beach, New York, and London.

Middle-Class Fair with Art Even for Small Budgets

The nonchalant and homely character of the cathedral city also puts its stamp on ART COLOGNE and lets you enjoy the fair in a relaxed atmosphere – with the option to take something from there home: As a middle-class fair in price ranges up to ten million euros, you will find art in all price segments here, even at small prices. 

From the Cologne Art Market to ART COLOGNE: Foundation and History

The history of ART COLOGNE began like all success stories begin: with a good idea at the right time. The idea was to create an art center to make German artists more well-known, give young talents an international platform, and make art more accessible to a broader public than was possible before. Thus, in 1967, the Cologne gallery owners Hein Stünke and Rudolf Zwirner founded the "Kunstmarkt Köln," which was the name of ART COLOGNE until 1975. It then became the International Art Market, IKM, and finally found its current name in 1984. 

The first "fair" in 1967 was already a great success with a record turnover of around 1 million DM – a new VW Beetle cost about 5,000 DM at the time, to show the relation. In 1969, "Das Rudel" by Josef Beuys broke the 100,000-mark threshold for a German artist. The fair grew, soon gained international renown, and went through low points as well as repositionings. 

Back to the Initial Thoughts

The current director, American gallery owner Daniel Hug, has since 2009 refocused on German artists and the promotion of young artists at ART COLOGNE. He thus reestablished the fair with a clear, more regional and national orientation in the art market, which also holds its firm place on the international stage. 

New Positions: Career Jumping-off Point for Young Artists

From the beginning, ART COLOGNE aimed to promote young talents. Today, it mainly does so with the "New Positions," a support program existing since 1980: emerging selected artists can present their works on a 25-square-meter exhibition area – in close proximity to established galleries.

ARTtours: Public, VIP, and for Children

Skilled guidance through ART COLOGNE is promised by ARTtours with experienced art mediators: Here you will learn more about current trends in the art market, backgrounds, or the history of art trade. There is also room for your questions. With the VIP or ARTtours for KIDS, a visit with children or friends becomes an event.