The Kunsthaus

The history of the Kunsthaus begins in December 1990 with the opening of the first exhibition in the eastern part of the former hospital building. The premises had previously been remodelled and refurbished thanks to the support of the Biel/Bienne authorities, the federal government, the Canton of Bern and private individuals as well as the associations involved.

The opening of Paul Ariste Poma’s will in 1993 provided a decisive impetus. It provided for a bequest of seven million francs in favour of an extension to the Kunsthaus. This was on the condition that the city of Biel would make double the contribution. Thanks to the support of many committed art lovers, conditions could be negotiated with the Biel authorities so that the bequest could become effective.

In the referendum of October 1995, the extension project is approved by a large majority. The foundations for an architectural competition are quickly laid. The jury decides in favour of the project by Basel architects Diener & Diener. The choice of an internationally recognised firm for this project proves to be positive in all respects.

The official opening ceremony of the expanded Kunsthaus takes place on New Year's Eve in 2000. In the years that followed, the Kunsthaus fought for an increasingly important place among regional and national museums. It repeatedly attracts attention beyond the country's borders.

The Kunsthaus building complex is structured in three parts: the oldest and what is today the central part was built in 1866 as the first hospital in Biel and provides the site with its classical historicist style. A west wing, used today as studios, was added in 1955 for the accommodation of an old people’s home. Following the move of the Kunsthaus into the oldest building in 1990, this was extended 10 years later. The renovation of the former hospital and an extension to the eastern end were carried out by the winners of the open competition, the Basel architectural practice of Diener & Diener.

The extension is connected to the former hospital by the existing stairwell. The resulting fusion allows three levels of varying heights in the extension that cleverly weave with the floors in the old building. The entrance area on the ground floor of the new building provides via its large glass front visual contact with the Jura mountains, at the foot of which the building is situated. The first floor (Galeries) is divided into three consecutive rooms, each with two diagonally offset windows. The second floor (Salle Poma, named after the donor Paul Ariste Poma, whose generosity made this new building possible) is lit exclusively by skylights, the harmonious regularity of which lends calm and clarity to the room with its 365 m2 surface area and height of 5.80 metres. The artists exhibiting here benefit from practically unrestricted exhibition conditions.

The Kunsthaus has a large collection of publications on contemporary art, which we are happy to make available to the public. The books can be viewed on site. Feel free to browse through the books, read, work, discuss, wander in your thoughts...

The library is open to everyone and events are organised there regularly. If you have an idea or would like to organise an event in this room, please contact our team at T +41 32 322 55 86 or
pr@kbcb.ch

The library can also be hired for meetings and seminars.

The opening hours are the same as those of the Kunsthaus:

The Studiolo is an experimental space that is made available to interdisciplinary artists for a whole year. The Studiolo is accessible during opening hours and events are organised there regularly.

Previously invited artists:

• 2024: Lumpen Station

• 2025: Jeanne Jacob