The first ‘Kunstvereine’ (Art Associations) were founded by an ambitious bourgeoisie between 1800 and 1840. Their goal was to open up contemporary art and cultural themes to the laymen, taking the view that these should no longer be the privilege of the rich, the aristocrats or the clerics. According to their history, german art associations are considered to be the precursors of the democratic processes. Their operating systems are still based on the structural and regulatory association of elected board members. Their emphasis is not to collect art but rather, to procure that which is contemporary art of its time.

On the basis of three collections, one of them owned by famous Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, two civilian initiatives were founded in Wiesbaden in the mid 19th Century (at that stage Duchy of Nassau) to look after those collections and to forward the idea of having a Museum for Art in the later Hessian Capital Wiesbaden. Therefore, the Kunstverein and the Museum were tightly connected until 1973, when the city of Wiesbaden sold their Museum to the land Hesse. Shortly after, the Kunstverein had to move out of the Museum Building and survived six years without a space of its own in which to exhibit. In 1979 the city government offered parts of the Building in which the NKV still resides today. Gradually the space for the Kunstverein within the building grew, until 2007 when the association was offered a 66 year lease for the building. While NKV has always shown contemporary art of its time, regressive tendencies surfaced between 1933 and 1945 when exhibitions focussed mainly on 19th century painting. It was not until the 1980s that the association was able to define a new profile, which emphasized the local art scene. The exhibition program today is made has a strong international focus.

Centrally located in the heart of the city in a historical villa at Wilhelm Avenue, the Nassauischer Kunstverein (NKV) has been Wiesbaden’s focal point for contemporary art since 1847. Through its program of changing exhibitions, a team of dedicated art historians and curators approximate the tendencies of contemporary art to visitors. NKV presents thematic group and single exhibitions of international artists, as well as regional positions and invites guest curators to present insights into current movements in the contemporary arts. The central aim of the institution is to provide a platform for young artists at the beginning of their careers. A special focus is placed on art and artists that following in the footsteps of Fluxus, founded 1962 in Wiesbaden. In cooperation with the artists, curators introduce teasing, controversial and progressive tendencies in their changing exhibitions. Through exhibitions and art trips, NKV communicates the social relevance of contemporary art.

As a publicly funded institution, NKV’s main aim is to, increase public knowledge, understanding and enjoyment of modern and contemporary art through continuous series of inspiring temporary exhibitions, educational programs and special trips.” NKV works to support young and emerging artists by offering them an institutional exhibition. The second strand is to support young international artists whose works suggest ideas inherent to the Fluxus art movement. NKV often collaborate with contemporary art institutions and cultural institutions.

NKV presents approximately 10–15 exhibitions each year.

Most outstanding projects in recent years:

Class of Tobias Rehberger; Christian Jankowski; Emily Wardill; Tracer -Thomas Bayrle; Jorinde Voigt; Murray Gaylard; Sven Johne; Jun Nguyen Hatsushiba; Att Poomtangon; Yves Netzhammer; Mona Hatoum; Jimmy Robert; 40 Years – Fluxus and Followers; Benjamin Patterson; Nasan Tur; Laura Kuch; Katherine Segura Harvey.

NKV supports young and emerging artist by supplying an infrastructure and a platform on which to show their work. Exhibitions are almost always accompanied by a publication and an edition, alongside extensive documentation which assists the possibilities for emerging collectors to begin collecting their work.

Conceptual and research based practices including painting, sculpture, photography, performance, film and video are all commonly on view. Art works related to the Fluxus movement and works conveying a regional context are two addition key strong strands in the program. Thematic group shows offer a wide ranges of current positions regarding a theme or a specific region such as Israel, Poland and Brazil.

NKV offers a special children’s program (NKV Kinder mittenDRIN 0-14) led by local artists, Guided Tours for Kids (NKV Kinderentdeckerführungen 8-88) and vacation art courses by artist Sommerlabor. The Discussion group on Text regarding Theories of Contemporary Art (NKV Diskurs) is open to students, specifically those studying Art History, and the general public. Exhibitions are accompanied by weekly and “on request” guided tours and artist talks. NKV organizes between three and five Special Art Journeys each year to varied locations within Germany and Europe.

In addition to organized discussions on art theory texts (NKV Diskurs) each year NKV invites a High School class to perform and reenact one of the shows.

Catalogues, artist books or editions are usually published in conjunction with each exhibition, with the focus of these to make them accessible and affordable.

Total internal floor space, 513 m²; exhibition space (3 floors), 342 m²; studio, 43 m²; office and members lounge, 62 m²; stairs, washrooms and storage, 66 m².