Brno House of Arts

Brno House of Arts (Dům umění města Brna) ranks among the most significant exhibition venues in Brno, operating as a Kunsthalle without a permanent collection of its own but with a lively programme of contemporary art shows.

Where is it and how do you get there?

The main building stands on Malinovského náměstí in the heart of Brno, an easy walk from Freedom Square (náměstí Svobody) and the city's main railway station. Since 1958, the House of Arts has also run a second venue — the Renaissance palace known as the House of the Lords of Kunštát (Dům pánů z Kunštátu) on Dominikánská Street, just a few minutes' walk from the main building. Both locations sit on well-connected tram and bus routes running through the city centre.

What's the story behind the building?

The building on Malinovského náměstí was originally conceived in an Art Nouveau style, then rebuilt into its current, distinctive form between 1946 and 1947 to designs by architect Bohuslav Fuchs, one of the leading figures of Brno functionalism. In 2009 the building underwent a thorough modernisation designed by architect Petr Hrůša, giving the interiors a contemporary feel while preserving the functionalist shell. After the city's liberation in 1945, the building was handed over to artists precisely under the name Brno House of Arts, marking the start of its exhibition history.

What can you expect to see?

The exhibition programme focuses on 20th-century visual art and the current Czech and European art scene. Since its founding, the institution has staged more than two thousand exhibitions, featuring both established artists tied to Brno's cultural life and projects of international significance. The main building also houses Vašulka Kitchen Brno (VKB), a centre for new media art operating in the basement since 2018 and dedicated to work at the intersection of art and technology.

At the Renaissance House of the Lords of Kunštát, the programme leans toward contemporary and experimental art. This is also the base for BAIR (Brno Artists in Residence), a residency programme that brings foreign artists to work in Brno and sends Czech artists abroad.

The institution co-organises the Brno Art Open biennial, which presents contemporary art in the city's public spaces, and runs the Brno Architecture Manual, a research and outreach project dedicated to the city's modern and contemporary architecture.

When is the best time to visit?

Exhibitions rotate throughout the year, so it's worth checking the current programme before you go — unlike a museum with a permanent collection, every visit here means a different show. Architecture enthusiasts have a good reason to visit regardless of what's on display, simply to see Fuchs's building and its postwar reconstruction, while fans of new media art should set aside time for Vašulka Kitchen Brno.

Frequently asked questions

Does Brno House of Arts have a permanent collection? No. It operates as a Kunsthalle, an exhibition space without its own holdings — its programme consists entirely of temporary shows of contemporary and 20th-century art.

How many venues does the House of Arts run? Two: the main building on Malinovského náměstí and the Renaissance House of the Lords of Kunštát on Dominikánská Street, managed by the institution since 1958.

What is Vašulka Kitchen Brno? It's a new media art centre that has operated since 2018 in the basement of the main building, dedicated to technology-based art and audiovisual experimentation.

What recurring events does the institution organise? The House of Arts co-organises the Brno Art Open biennial, which showcases art in public space, and runs artist residencies under the BAIR programme.