Kunstverein Biel

The Kunstverein Biel organises various activities. These include studio visits to local artists, which provide space for encounters and discussions and give members of the Kunstverein an insight into the creative process. Art trips promote networking and exchange with art institutions and artists in Switzerland and abroad. In cooperation with the Filmpodium Biel/Bienne, art-related films are shown as part of the Cinéart programme.

The Kunstverein Biel organises studio visits, which provide insights into the creative work of the city by making selected community studios accessible to interested visitors.
The project already existed under the name “Atelier Weekend”. After a break since 2020, we would like to revive the format and have developed a new, low-threshold version. Under the name “Atelier Visit”, the doors to a studio will be opened on a selected day. This enables a direct exchange with the artists.

The 2024 edition took place at Mattenstrasse 153. The artists Linus Baumeler, Tobias Hauswirth, Géraldine Heller, Rachele Monti, Thalles Piaget, Mateo Rodriguez and Katja Schultz welcomed interested visitors during a whole day.

In the past, members of the Kunstverein have travelled to Venice, Istanbul and Copenhagen in groups to take part in biennials and international exhibitions. We are also planning interesting trips to places where art is flourishing in the future.

During its annual programme, the Filmpodium Biel/Bienne shows a selection of films with a visual arts theme, films that deal with art or films made by artists. Cinéart offers members of the Kunstverein the opportunity to attend these selected film screenings at a reduced price. In addition, the Nuit Kunstverein takes place once a year, to which Kunstverein members are admitted free of charge on presentation of their valid membership card.

The Kunstverein Biel aims to make contemporary art accessible to a wide audience outside the museum context. It therefore makes part of its collection available to members on loan for a small fee as part of the rental programme Aktion Miete. In addition to numerous paintings and drawings, the collection also includes prints, objects and photographs and is regularly expanded with new works. A selection of the works can be seen regularly in the Kunsthaus on the collection floor.

If you are interested in borrowing one, please contact the Kunstverein Biel (info@kunstverein-biel.ch). The loan is subject to the rental conditions of the Kunstverein.

To a selection of rentable works of the collection Kunstverein

• “Rent a contemporary work of art for CHF 50.– per year”
  Podcast “InterCités”, RTS, 6.10.2015 (6:27)
• A brief insight into the event since its beginnings
  “Schauplatz”, SRF, 19.4.1985

The Cantonale Berne Jura is an exhibition that is jointly organised each December by numerous art institutions in the cantons of Berne and Jura. It presents a broad spectrum of artistic positions and is therefore an art event of supra-regional importance. Local artists can register via an open call and are then selected by the juries of the respective institutions.

The Kunstverein Biel organises the Cantonale Berne Jura in close collaboration with the Kunsthaus. The exhibition offers a versatile platform for artists from Biel/Bienne and has established itself as a permanent fixture in the regional art calendar. You can register via the Cantonale website.

The Kunstverein Biel awards the Prix Kunstverein once a year. The prize of CHF 5’000.– honours artists from the Biel region who have distinguished themselves through their independent and promising work. The jury is made up of members of the board of the Kunstverein Biel. A selection of works will be exhibited as part of the annual Cantonale Berne Jura exhibition at the Kunsthaus and complemented by a presentation at the Biel off-space Lokal-int.

Artists who have lived or worked in Biel/Bienne or in the Biel/Bienne region for at least 2 years are eligible (eligible municipalities Prix Kunstverein, proof is provided by a copy of the residence permit or studio rental contract) and who are members of the Kunstverein Biel/Bienne (proof is provided by a copy of the current annual membership fee paid).

Applications can be submitted via the cantonale.ch platform (the relevant box must be ticked and the specifically requested copies enclosed) or directly to the Kunstverein Biel (without application for participation in the Cantonale Berne Jura), by post or email. The deadline for submission is 15 August. The decision will be made in October.

Linus Baumeler

• 2023: Floyd Grimm
• 2022: Nora Renaud
• 2021: Leolie Greet
• 2020: Jeanne Jacob
• 2019: Anna Neurohr
• 2018: Maya Hottarek
• 2017: Jerry Haenggli
• 2016: Vera Trachsel
• 2015: Andrea Anastasia Wolf

The Kunstverein Biel has been promoting regional art for decades. Its members significantly support the Kunsthaus Biel (KBCB) and the activities of the Kunstverein with their annual membership fees.

As a member of the Kunstverein Biel you benefit from numerous advantages.
These include, among others:

• Free admission to the Kunsthaus, Photoforum Pasquart and Neues Museum Biel as well as more than 25 other institutions in various cantons
• Lending of works as part of the rental programme Aktion Miete
• Discounts on annual publications, editions and publications of the Kunsthaus Biel, Cinéart screenings at the Filmpodium Biel/Bienne and subscriptions to the Kunstbulletin
• Invitations to all events organised by the Kunstverein and the Kunsthaus
• For artists: Application for the Prix Kunstverein and the Prix Anderfuhren

The Board functions without a Presidium. The Board members share the tasks.

• Julien Berberat (cashier ad interim)
• Laura Curtze
• Jill Gasparina
• Leolie Greet
• Tobias Hauswirth
• Richard Märk
• Camille Regli

Manon Engel, representative of the Kunsthaus

Kunstverein Biel 
Seevorstadt 71
CH-2502 Biel Bienne
T +41 32 322 55 86
info@kunstverein-biel.ch

Office hours: Wednesday afternoon

If you would like to support the work of the Kunstverein Biel by making a donation or contribution, the Board will be happy to discuss sponsorship options with you at any time.