ARKEN Museum of Modern Art opened on 15 March 1996. Prior to this, years of political activity had taken place in order to turn the region south of Copenhagen into an important part of Danish cultural life.

ARKEN lies like a great sculpture overlooking K¿ge Bay. The museums architecture interplays with its maritime surroundings and is motivated by the lines of the landscape. One of the buildings main axes runs parallel with Skovvej whereas the other follows the coastline. The architect behind ARKEN, S¿ren Robert Lund, worked with the ship as metaphor for his edifice. The museum was placed as a ship, with a stem and sails, by the edge of the sea.

When ARKEN opened in 1996 the museum invited the visitors inside to a completely different experience than the one that met them outside. Visitors walked into an inner landscape which, with its slanted angles, high-ceilinged rooms, metal stairs and smooth walls, resembled a ferry or a large cruise ship where many functions were collected under one roof: gallery space, cafe, shop etc.

Subsequently ARKEN has undergone two extensions. The first in 2008, provided more space for art whereas the 2009 extension improved visitor facilities, including changes to the entrance opened up the museum to the world, giving visitors a glimpse of the experience that awaits them inside.

ARKEN aims to be aesthetically and intellectually challenging. Through its collection and exhibition program it presents Danish art within an international context to give its audience insight into the international art scene, and provoke discussion regarding Danish artists relationship to this. ARKEN aims for the collection to initiate reflective encounters that challenge one to understand themselves better within the present moment of change.

ARKENs collection comprises more than 300 works of art, including works by Danish, Nordic and international artists, with a special emphasis on contemporary art. Two principles unify the collection: art concerned with the existence of modern man; and art that uses new forms, materials and media to explore the very definition of art.

ARKEN aims to continue expanding its collection of new Danish and international art. It continues to reinvigorate its art historical research, a fundamental strand to ARKEN’s operation. ARKEN aims to continue its development of communication of art, and pedagogical activities for children and young people.

Most outstanding recent projects:

Katharina Grosse, Hello Little Butterfly I love You What’s Your Name?, 2010.

Jeon Mir, I Work Like a Gardener, 2010.

Chinamania, Colorful, Diverse and Distinctly Narrative, 2010.

Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, Gauguin—Impressionists and Post Impressionists in the Israel Museum, Jerusalem, 2009.

ARKEN BGK is for young people between the ages of 15 and 25 years. BGK, or Billedkunstnerisk GrundKursus, (general pictorial course) gives young people the opportunity to develop their artistic talent in inspiring surroundings. ARKEN’s collection, changing special exhibitions and research provides the basis for the program.

ARKEN BGK is a stepping stone for young people who wish to join artistic or creative educational institutions including academies of art, architecture, design, film, photography and writing schools. It is also relevant for students who wish to pursue an education in economics, graphic design, animation/comics and gaming development.

6000 m2, exhibition space.