BONN.- “What Connects us. Dimensions of Social Sustainability” is the programmatic theme for 2026 at the Bundeskunsthalle. Following last year's focus on ecological sustainability, we now want to turn our attention to perspectives on social responsibility, asking how art, education, cultural exchange, and dialogue can contribute to more public engagement and strengthen societal relationships. This is not only reflected in exhibitions at the Bundeskunsthalle, but also in a comprehensive audit of educational programs, inclusion and social participation. We want to further widen our horizon internationally and also explore diverse local socio-cultural environments. With our exhibition programs we turn our attention to the Global South and explore the Indigenous worlds of the Amazon region, showcase a central figure in queer New York of the 1970s and 80s, delve into the cultural history of sex work, focus on the memory culture post WW II and the Nazi crimes, and we will revisit Latin American female artists from the past Century.

The 2026 exhibition program:

Peter Hujar. Eyes Open in the Dark ​
February 27–August 23, 2026

Peter Hujar was a photographer and central figure in the downtown scene of 1970s and early 80s New York, but at his death in 1987 from AIDS-related pneumonia his photography was largely unknown to a broader art world. Hujar’s principal concern was with portraiture, whether photographing his friends and denizens of the downtown scene—whom he encountered on the street, photographed in his apartment studio, and sought out at performance venues—or turning his attention to animals, architecture and landscapes. A show organized by Raven Row and the Peter Hujar Foundation. In partnership, the Gropius Bau in Berlin will be showing Peter Hujar / Liz Deschenes: Persistence of Vision from March 19–June 28, 2026.

Amazônia. Indigenous Worlds ​
March 13–August 19, 2026

This exhibition gives voice to the Indigenous peoples of the Amazon, offering a new perspective on a region often reduced to exotic clichés. Amazonia is a vibrant whole of dense networks, intercultural exchange, and diverse sociability. With around 400 exhibits, the show explores creation, community, and future visions from Indigenous perspectives. An exhibition from the Musée du quai Branly.

Sex Work. A Cultural History
April 2–October 25, 2026

“Nothing about us without us!” Developed with a collective of researching sex workers, this exhibition traces the history of sex work in Europe from antiquity to today. Through art, cultural-historical evidence, and archival material, it explores how societies have treated sex work—and what that reveals about power, values, and humanity.

Interactions 2026
May 1–November 1, 2026

This outdoor program invites visitors to engage with interactive artworks, performances, and workshops. Each project tells its own story and encourages openness, shared experience, and social connection.

"Social Fabric": 55 years Collection of Contemporary Art of the Federal Republic of Germany
June 12–October 4, 2026

Since 1995, the Bundeskunsthalle has showcased works from the Federal art collection. Social Fabric presents a broad selection from several decades, reflecting on how themes like social responsibility, equality, and identity are expressed in artistic practice.

NEVER AGAIN! Against Forgetting the Crimes of the Nazi Era
October 9, 2026–May 2, 2027

Opening the Cultural Autumn, this exhibition explores Germany’s changing memory culture regarding the crimes of the Nazi period. As Holocaust survivors become fewer, preserving their testimonies gains new urgency. The show examines methods of commemoration through art, digital media, and historical objects.

Latin American Women Artists. From Frida Kahlo until Today
December 4, 2026–March 29, 2027

This major retrospective brings together works by over 60 women artists from Latin America—from Mexico to Argentina—for the first time in Europe. Spanning more than a century from 1915 until today, it highlights both iconic and overlooked figures, exploring their artistic voices in relation to cultural identity and female empowerment.

Live arts—Dance, theatre, music, performance

When the doors to the exhibitions close, the spotlights turn on: Physical Therapy – Sober Dance Sessions, Connor Schumacher explores rave culture without substances and gets everyone on the dancefloor. Manu Delago (handpan) and Max ZT (hammered dulcimer) come together to present innovative sounds and beautiful compositions. In Hiding Piece, Hofmann & Lindholm invite the audience to disappear in the performance space, make themselves invisible, or remain as silent observers.

Studio Bonn–Talks and a new conference format

Studio Bonn hosts public debates on current topics with cultural impact. In 2026, it introduces the European Cultural Forum Bonn (ECFB), bringing together global voices from arts, culture, science, politics, and civil society (September 17–19). Considering global interdependences and planetary boundaries, the forum will explore cultural responses to today’s challenges and foster transnational alliances for an open, democratic society.