Kunsthal Rotterdam

In 2024, we welcomed 320,000 visitors to the Kunsthal, a rise of 10,000 compared to the already highly successful previous year. This growth shows that with our diverse and contrasting programme, we continue to engage a wide audience and maintain a strong financial footing. Exhibitions such as Ai Weiwei. In Search of Humanity, Thomas J Price. Matter of Place, and DIVA were highlights that received widespread praise from both press and public. Collaborations further expanded our reach and deepened engagement.

With a striking, surprising, and engaging program, the Kunsthal aims to offer the widest and most diverse audience the chance to enjoy art and culture. Through many collaborations with artists, institutions, and companies, we succeeded in bringing both international crowd-pullers and hidden gems to Rotterdam in 2024, surprising visitors with intimate presentations as well as impressive, large-scale exhibitions. New talent also received plenty of spotlight. Swipe through the photos for an impression of last year’s exhibitions, and check out the Kunsthal annual report for a complete overview of exhibitions and activities.

The Kunsthal in 2024 in numbers. Download the annual report for more information. 

Thanks to a contribution from the VriendenLoterij, last year we were also able to realize ten editions of Friday Night LIVE. Every third Friday evening of the month, the Kunsthal provides a stage for Rotterdam partners who are active in fields such as spoken word, film, music, dance, fashion, and theater. Our partners in 2024 included: RIDCC, Spraakuhloos, Sip & Paint, Motel Mozaïque, Weelde, 75B, Rotterdam Unlimited Zomercarnaval, Operator, Cult North, and Club Gewalt.

Public activities bring the Kunsthal program to life; we engage visitors, encourage learning, and create connections. We see it as our mission to attract a broad audience through an appealing, educational, and above all activating program, including new visitors and young people. In 2024, this focus was fulfilled with various guided tours, Artist Talks, Kijk&Doe (Look & Do) tours for children, the All You Can Art Summerschool, and family activities in the (pop-up) KunsthalLAB, a space where experimentation and playful learning are central.

• From 27 September, the Kunsthal will be dedicated to the world-famous Dutch fashion designer Iris van Herpen (1984), one of the most avant-garde couturiers of her generation. The exhibition Sculpting the Senses is a journey through Van Herpen’s universe and presents an immersive overview where fashion, contemporary art, design, and science come together. The Kunsthal showcases over one hundred iconic creations in which Van Herpen constantly challenges the boundaries of haute couture.

• From July 5, CUTE opens, an exhibition exploring the irresistible power of cuteness in contemporary culture. From the origins of kawaii and the rise of Hello Kitty to the influence of emojis, internet memes, plush toys, and cute robot designs, CUTE investigates how this phenomenon, once considered innocent, has become a huge cultural trend. How did something so charming, big eyes, chubby baby cheeks, flowers, and candies, gain so much influence? The exhibition shows how cuteness serves as a powerful tool to touch on social and cultural themes.