events

The Schleswig-Holsteinischer Kunstverein supports and initiates exhibitions, lectures and discussion events such as the Stadt-Land-Kunst series or interdisciplinary events such as Klangbilder. Once a year, the Kunstverein dinner is organised exclusively for members.

Information on the Kunstverein's trips can be found here.

Upcoming events:

Past events (Selection):

20 November 2025, 6 pm

"From the Kunsthalle to the cinema - the SHKV invites you to a film evening" - in cooperation with the municipal cinema.

To coincide with the cinema release, we will be showing the documentary film The Secret of Velázquez (2025) by Stéphane Sorlat. Édouard Manet called him the "painter of all painters", Salvador Dalí the "glory of Spain" and yet Diego Velázquez (1599-1660) remains enigmatic to this day. The court painter of the Spanish king created one of the most influential paintings in art history with The Court Maidens, portrayed kings as well as the common people and left behind over 200 works of timeless radiance. The documentary film follows in the footsteps of this master and takes the viewer on a cinematic journey through 400 years of art history.

(For members and non-members, free admission for SHKV members)

12 November 2025, 6 pm

Lotte Hegewisch Lecture with Kerstin Abraham

The Lotte Hegewisch Lecture has become a permanent fixture in the Kunstverein's programme. This year, we are delighted to welcome Kerstin Abraham as a speaker. In her lecture, she will talk about cultural memory and ceramics as an image carrier on the basis of her work.

Appointed to Burg Giebichenstein Halle in 1993, Abraham headed the class for Fine Arts and Ceramics at the Muthesius University in Kiel from 1994 to 2022. Kerstin Abraham lives and works in Hamdorf.

Location: Boiler house of the Muthesius Academy of Fine Arts. Legienstraße 35, 24103 Kiel

(For members and non-members)

Wednesday, 10 September 2025, 6 pm

"Art from the data centre? On the fascination and baroque splendour of AI images" - a lecture by Nils Pooker

In cooperation with the Digital Learning Centre (DLC), we are delighted to invite Nils Pooker to give a lecture. A visual artist himself, Nils Pooker will examine artificial intelligence from the perspectives of art practice and reception. He will not only look at the rapidly advancing technical developments, but also discuss how creative processes, artistic authorship and our understanding of image production are changing in the digital age.

(For members and non-members)

06 August 2025, 6 pm

Restitution from a legal perspective - a reading by Prof. Dr jur. Haimo Schack

We are delighted to welcome Prof Dr Haimo Schack as part of the "Stadt-Land-Kunst" lecture series. In his lecture, he will shed light on the complex relationship between art, property and restitution from a legal perspective.

He will be reading from his book Art and Law, the fourth revised edition of which was published in 2024 and deals with legal issues in fine art, design, photography and architecture. Afterwards, there will be an opportunity to ask questions and engage in dialogue.

Venue: Restaurant Bootshaus 1862, Düsternbrooker Weg 16, 24105 Kiel
(for members and non-members)

(For members and non-members)

Tuesday, 03 June 2025, 18:30
"What does art want?" - A cooperation event with the Philosophical Seminar, the Pumpe and the Schleswig-Holsteinischer Kunstverein

Together with the Philosophical Seminar, we will enter into dialogue via the medium of film. The film Manifesto by Julian Rosefeldt will be shown first. The film is a cinematic art project in which Cate Blanchett recites central artistic and political manifestos of the 20th century in twelve different roles. The film combines these texts with various scenarios of 21st century society and thus creates a reflection on the meaning of art, attitude and expression in today's context.

Afterwards, art historian and curator Muriel Meyer (Kunsthalle zu Kiel) and philosopher Melanie Reichert (CAU) will discuss the role and self-image of artistic creation under the title "What does art want?". What motivates artists to write a manifesto and how can the text collages shown in the film be classified philosophically and art historically?
We look forward to a stimulating evening full of discussion!

Location: Kommunales Kino der Pumpe, Haßstr. 22, 24103 Kiel

Wednesday, 28 May 2025, 18:00
The Schleswig-Holsteinischer Kunstverein invites you to the special edition "From the Kunsthalle to the cinema": Artist talk with Wagehe Raufi

The special edition combines the video works of Berlin-based artist Wagehe Raufi (*1990) with a film of her choice.

Curator Muriel Meyer will talk to Raufi about the two video works "Ornamental Hermit" (2022, 6:48 min) and "Das geliehene Haus - Shell in Transition" (2025, 6:59 min), which will be shown on this evening and in parallel in the glass porch of the Kunsthalle. In these works, Raufi continues her exploration of analogue and digital spaces and their relationship to one another. The hermit crab seeking shelter serves as a symbol for human experiences and the position of art in today's world.

The discussion will also include the documentary film "Koyaanisqatsi" (1982, 86 min) by Godfrey Reggio, which will be shown afterwards. The associatively structured film combines impressive urban and natural landscapes with specially composed music by Philip Glass. Reggio's civilisation-critical observations of human intervention in nature lend themselves to fascinating cross-references to Raufi's works.

Are there further overlaps in terms of content or aesthetics between the artist's work and the film "Koyaanisqatsi"? And why did Raufi choose this particular film?

We look forward to exploring these questions in the Pumpe cinema.

Location: Kommunales Kino der Pumpe, Haßstr. 22, 24103 Kiel
(for members and non-members)
in cooperation with Die Pumpe e.V.

Wednesday, 7 May 2025, 15:00
Art walk through Gaarden
Together with Chrissi Agrianidou from the district office, we will explore Gaarden. The programme will include art in public spaces as well as visits to studios and galleries.
The number of participants is limited - registration required.
(For members and non-members)

Thursday, 8 May 2025, 18:00
"Bertel Thorvaldsen and Schleswig-Holstein"
Together with the German-Danish Society, we have been able to invite the head curator at the Thorvaldsen Museum in Copenhagen, Dr Margrethe Floryan, to give a lecture in Kiel.
Venue: Pumpe e.V., Haßstr. 22, 24103 Kiel
(For members and non-members)

Wednesday, 9 April 2025, 18:00
Stadt-Land-Kunst
After an introduction to provenance research at the Kunsthalle zu Kiel by Dr Annette Weisner, Dr Michael Lingohr will report on provenance research in the Graphic Art Collection.
"Provenance research - difficult to do and easy to explain"
Venue: Restaurant Bootshaus 1862, Düsternbrooker Weg 16, 24105 Kiel
(for members and non-members)

Friday, 24 January 2025, 19:00
"Form follows function?! Martin Gropius and the new building of the Zoological Museum 1880" by Dr Hans-Dieter Nägelke
Venue: Zoological Museum Kiel, Hegewischstr. 3, 24105 Kiel
In cooperation with the Zoological Museum Kiel
(for members and non-members)