Exhibition Hall KhK | Tour & Events

The exhibition hall of the Kassel University of Arts is a young but already significant place for art, education, and public presentation in Kassel. Since early 2022, it has been located in the courtyard of the northern building on Menzelstraße and expands the university campus with a space that is intentionally designed not to function like a traditional exhibition venue, but as a flexible stage for student and interdisciplinary projects. Here, exhibitions, screenings, readings, and performances take place on 450 square meters of usable space, which not only have an impact within the university but also appeal to a wide audience. The hall thus aligns with the idea of an open art space that connects production, presentation, and discussion. In the official description, it is understood as a communication space and experimental area for artistic, design, and curatorial practice. At the same time, it benefits from its special location within a listed university ensemble and from its close connection to the tour, which is one of the most important events of the KhK each year. ([kunsthochschulekassel.de](https://kunsthochschulekassel.de/kunsthochschule/ausstellungshalle.html))

KhK Tour and Events: Why the Hall is So Important Throughout the Year

Those searching for the KhK Tour or KhK Events quickly end up at the exhibition hall, as it is a central location for the annual final presentation of the Kassel University of Arts. The tour has been an institution at the university for many years and, according to the city of Kassel, takes place at the end of the summer semester. Workshops, studios, and the exhibition hall open their doors, allowing visitors to experience the university as a place of encounter, exchange, and discourse. In 2025, the tour took place from July 24 to 27 under the motto eXtase. The official notices described it as a free format without prior registration; works from painting, sculpture, performance, design, film, sound, and digital media were showcased. This is particularly valuable for the visibility of the university, as not only finished works but also processes and working methods can be traced here. This mixture makes the difference between a typical exhibition space and a vibrant university location. Therefore, anyone looking for the current program, tours, open doors, or presentations should keep the exhibition hall in mind as a fixed anchor point. ([www1.kassel.de](https://www1.kassel.de/buerger/sport_und_freizeit/wiederkehrende-veranstaltungen/rundgang-kunsthochschule.php))

The tour is also more than an internal university showcase. The city of Kassel describes it as a recurring event that brings together students, faculty, and guests. This creates an atmosphere where feedback, public engagement, and artistic quality meet directly. It is particularly relevant that the exhibition hall is not conceived in isolation but is part of a larger campus structure. It complements the workshops and studios of the programs in Fine Arts, Product Design, Art Education, Art Science, and Visual Communication. Thus, very different formats can run in parallel: a film program in one area, a spatial installation in another, discussions with faculty, or interactive media works elsewhere. For inquiries related to khk events, it is therefore important to understand that this is not a rigid event house but a flexible place where the program changes depending on the semester, project, and participants. This openness makes the hall particularly interesting for the audience, as each visit can introduce new working methods and artistic approaches. ([www1.kassel.de](https://www1.kassel.de/buerger/sport_und_freizeit/wiederkehrende-veranstaltungen/rundgang-kunsthochschule.php))

Architecture, Spatial Concept, and 450 Square Meters of Usable Space

The architectural history of the exhibition hall is closely linked to the existing structure of the Kassel University of Arts. According to the official university description, the building is located in the courtyard of the northern building, and the architect of the university ensemble, Paul Friedrich Posenenske, had already envisioned a building there. The current hall was realized by Innauer Matt Architekten ZT GmbH, who referred to this historical design but interpreted it independently. This connection between historical reference and contemporary implementation is a key part of the special impact of the building. The single-story hall encompasses 450 square meters of usable space and was designed to adapt to different uses. Movable partition walls allow for a variable division of the interior, making large cohesive presentations as possible as smaller, concentrated setups. The interior surfaces are made of untreated spruce wood, with specially crafted light lenses above that create a pleasant lighting atmosphere. The result is not a neutral white cube in the classical sense, but a space with clear material presence that still offers great openness for very different artistic forms. ([uni-kassel.de](https://www.uni-kassel.de/uni/aktuelles-aus-der-universitaet/sitemap-detail-news/2022/05/06/neue-ausstellungshalle-der-kunsthochschule-eingeweiht.html?cHash=18f54df6472f16db3973a11c82f0fddf))

The construction of the building also shows that the hall was not created by chance but was part of a long-term development strategy of the university. The inauguration was celebrated in May 2022; prior to that, external spaces often had to be organized and rented for student projects and exhibitions. With the new building, the partially autonomous university of arts gained significantly more independence, as highlighted by the University of Kassel in its press release. The project was financed with around four million euros from the Higher Education Pact 2020; the state of Hesse acted as the client, represented by the Hesse Ministry of Science and Art in coordination with the Ministry of Finance and implemented through the University of Kassel. Later, the hall also received architectural recognition: in 2023, it was awarded the Simon-Louis-du-Ry plaque for “Outstanding Architecture in Hesse” as part of the BDA competition. For visitors, this is not only a prestige indication but also a sign that function, design, and cultural mission come together convincingly here. ([uni-kassel.de](https://www.uni-kassel.de/uni/aktuelles-aus-der-universitaet/sitemap-detail-news/2022/05/06/neue-ausstellungshalle-der-kunsthochschule-eingeweiht.html?cHash=18f54df6472f16db3973a11c82f0fddf))

Directions to Menzelstraße 13–15: How to Reach the Exhibition Hall KhK

The official address of the Kassel University of Arts is Menzelstraße 13–15, 34121 Kassel. For arrival, the university primarily recommends public transport, bicycles, and – depending on the origin – long-distance buses or trains. Those arriving by train can conveniently continue from Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe. From there, one should take tram line 3 towards Ihringshäuser Straße to Kassel Rathaus and transfer to tram line 5 towards Baunatal; the destination is the stop Heinrich-Heine-Straße/Universität. From there, according to the official location description, it is about a five-minute walk towards Auepark to Menzelstraße. This route is particularly convenient for visitors as it functions without complicated detours and connects clearly marked university locations. Especially for events with many guests, such as the tour or larger exhibitions, the good public transport connection is an important argument. ([kunsthochschulekassel.de](https://kunsthochschulekassel.de/service/anfahrt.html))

There is also clear guidance for long-distance bus travelers: the university mentions the Wilhelmshöhe bus station and the P+R parking lot Kassel-Ost as stops for long-distance buses. Those who prefer to come by bicycle will find a nextbike drop-off station in front of the southern building of the university at Menzelstraße 15. For students of the University of Kassel, the first 60 minutes there are free. This information is not only practical but also a good signal of how the location is intended: open, urban, and as accessible as possible. The fact that the university does not highlight its own parking garage or a special visitor parking lot for the exhibition hall on its arrival page is also relevant. For planning purposes, this means: the most relaxed arrival is by tram, train, or bicycle. Those who wish to come by car should therefore check in advance how the parking situation around Menzelstraße is developing and whether a visit by public transport might not be the more convenient solution. For a cultural destination like the exhibition hall KhK, this combination of campus location and good public transport connection is a clear plus. ([kunsthochschulekassel.de](https://kunsthochschulekassel.de/service/anfahrt.html))

Opening Hours, Admission, and Practical Planning for the Visit

The exhibition hall of the Kassel University of Arts is a project-based space, so opening hours and accessibility are published separately depending on the event. This is also sensible because the formats can vary greatly. During the tour in 2025, for example, the doors were open from Thursday to Sunday, with clearly designated times for visiting. For the FLUID exhibition in the hall, different times applied, namely Tuesday to Thursday and Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 7 PM. Both examples show that visitors should not expect rigid museum hours but must check the current notices from the university. This is where the appeal lies: the hall adapts to the respective project and can thus accommodate very different audience flows and usage situations. Particularly attractive is that the official examples were freely accessible and no admission was charged. This makes the exhibition hall a low-threshold place where art, research, and the public can come together. ([www1.kassel.de](https://www1.kassel.de/buerger/sport_und_freizeit/wiederkehrende-veranstaltungen/rundgang-kunsthochschule.php))

For planning a visit, it is therefore worthwhile to always check the respective event first: When does the opening start? Are there guided tours? How long is the exhibition open? Is admission free or is registration recommended? For FLUID, for example, there was a mention of guided tours via Eventbrite, while the tour in 2025 could be visited explicitly without registration. These differences are typical for a university hall that functions not only as an exhibition space but also as a learning and experimental space. Therefore, anyone specifically searching in Kassel for exhibition hall kassel, free admission, or opening hours should always keep the context in mind: this is about changing semester projects, collaborations, and public presentations, not about a permanently consistent regular program. It is also practical that the hall is located in a university ensemble that is itself well connected. This makes it easy to combine a visit with other stops on campus, such as a workshop visit, a tour of the university grounds, or a look at other exhibition locations in the city. ([www1.kassel.de](https://www1.kassel.de/buerger/sport_und_freizeit/wiederkehrende-veranstaltungen/rundgang-kunsthochschule.php))

Exhibitions, Screenings, Readings, and Interdisciplinary Practice

The official self-description of the exhibition hall makes it clear that it is not just about classic hanging. The Kassel University of Arts explicitly names exhibitions, screenings, readings, and performances as formats that can be developed and shown in the hall. At the same time, the space is designed as a place where the five study programs of the university can collaborate interdisciplinary. This is particularly important for the identity of the KhK, as the university unites scientific, artistic, and art educational fields under one roof and traditionally has strong networking among its workshops and study structures. The hall creates a visible public stage for this. This makes visible what often remains hidden in the studio or workshop: research, material tests, sound experiments, video works, text formats, or curatorial decisions. For inquiries related to khk events, this is a core aspect, as the concept of events is very broadly defined here and extends far beyond classic openings. ([kunsthochschulekassel.de](https://kunsthochschulekassel.de/kunsthochschule/ausstellungshalle.html))

A good example of this is the FLUID exhibition from spring 2025. The official announcement describes it as a project at the intersection of art, design, media, and artificial intelligence with more than twenty works by students, faculty, and guests from various universities, including the Kassel University of Arts, Städelschule Frankfurt, HfG Offenbach, and the Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts. Groups and artists such as Crosslucid and Michael Wallinger are also mentioned. Thematically, the exhibition moves between digital image worlds, sound, spatial installations, and experimental media. Such a format is ideal for the exhibition hall because its flexible spatial structure with movable partition walls supports exactly this open, process-oriented presentation form. Another exhibition focused on the work of the study workshop leaders and showcased drawing, printmaking, sculpture, installation, and video. Such projects are important because they make the university visible not only as a place of education but as a vibrant production site where technical and curatorial teams also have an artistic voice. ([kunsthochschulekassel.de](https://kunsthochschulekassel.de/veranstaltungen/ausstellung-fluid-medien-ai-kunst-und-design.html?utm_source=openai))

This creates a varied program for visitors that cannot be limited to a single genre. Those who come to the exhibition hall may be confronted with a sound work, experience a spatial installation in the next moment, or follow a discussion and reading situation. This diversity is not a coincidence but part of the university culture. The hall serves as a communication space where the boundaries between production and presentation, research and exhibition, study and public are consciously permeable. This makes it equally exciting for art enthusiasts as for people who want to get to know the university first as a place of learning. Therefore, anyone looking for a location that not only shows results but also makes processes understandable will find the KhK exhibition hall to be a very suitable place. Especially in a city like Kassel, which is shaped by documenta, art institutions, and university culture, the hall convincingly integrates into the cultural environment and simultaneously enriches it with an independent, young, and experimental voice. ([kunsthochschulekassel.de](https://kunsthochschulekassel.de/kunsthochschule/ausstellungshalle.html))

History, Significance, and Awards of the Exhibition Hall KhK

The exhibition hall of the Kassel University of Arts is not just a new building but a project with a clear cultural-political and university strategic background. Before its opening, the university often relied on renting external spaces for exhibitions and student projects. With the inauguration on May 6, 2022, this practice ended, and the university gained significantly more independence for presenting its own works. The statements from the university and state politics at that time emphasized not only the architectural quality but also the importance for teaching, research, and artistic presentation. The hall integrates into the listed ensemble of the former School of Applied Arts, thereby connecting historical continuity with contemporary use. This is particularly important for the university because it is one of the few internationally oriented art universities in Germany that brings together scientific, artistic, and art educational degree programs and thus relies on a close interplay of practice and theory. ([uni-kassel.de](https://www.uni-kassel.de/uni/aktuelles-aus-der-universitaet/sitemap-detail-news/2022/05/06/neue-ausstellungshalle-der-kunsthochschule-eingeweiht.html?cHash=18f54df6472f16db3973a11c82f0fddf))

Architecturally and culturally historically, the reference to Paul Friedrich Posenenske is particularly interesting. He had already envisioned a building for the site; the current solution takes up this idea without copying it. This is where the quality of the project lies: the hall respects the existing structure but remains distinctly contemporary. That it was honored in 2023 with the Simon-Louis-du-Ry plaque for “Outstanding Architecture in Hesse” confirms this attitude even outside the university context. Additionally, the hall is intended as a place for exhibitions, screenings, readings, and performances by students, while also promoting collaboration between the degree programs. From the perspective of those searching for exhibition hall university of arts kassel, this is the most important insight: this place is not just an additional space on campus, but a symbol of the university of arts opening up to the outside. Therefore, those who visit the hall experience not just an exhibition but a piece of the university in motion. ([uni-kassel.de](https://www.uni-kassel.de/uni/aktuelles-aus-der-universitaet/sitemap-detail-news/2023/03/20/ausstellungshalle-erhaelt-plakette-fuer-ausgezeichnete-architektur-in-hessen.html?cHash=cc351552064c27b7f3d0a44fda2a9aac))

The exhibition hall is also significant for the university's external impact. It enhances the public visibility of artistic work by making projects directly accessible and not mediated through external institutions. At the same time, it supports a working method that has long been established in Kassel: experimental, interdisciplinary, and open to collaborations. The hall is thus also a place where the future of the university of arts is spatially concretized. Visitors who inform themselves in advance will find that while the location is referred to as a hall, in everyday life it functions more like a versatile campus space. This versatility is precisely what makes it appealing. Therefore, anyone looking for a place that unites architecture, contemporary art, student experiments, and public events will find the exhibition hall KhK to be one of the most exciting addresses in Kassel. ([kunsthochschulekassel.de](https://kunsthochschulekassel.de/kunsthochschule/ausstellungshalle.html))

Sources:

• Kassel University of Arts – Exhibition Hall
• Kassel University of Arts – Directions
• City of Kassel – Tour at the University of Arts
• University of Kassel – New Exhibition Hall of the University of Arts Inaugurated
• University of Kassel – Exhibition Hall Receives Plaque for “Outstanding Architecture in Hesse”
• Kassel University of Arts – FLUID: Between Realities