Kunsthaus Glarus (institution)

Kunsthaus Glarus is a contemporary art gallery in Glarus, the capital of the canton of Glarus in eastern Switzerland. Despite its remote setting, it ranks among the notable Swiss venues for current art and is the only major art institution in the whole canton.

What is Kunsthaus Glarus?

The building opened in 1952 and was designed by architect Hans Leuzinger. Its strictly minimal modernist form is a reason to visit in itself. The house is run by the Glarner Kunstverein, an art association that has been collecting works since 1870.

For its first decades the venue opened only a few months a year and had no paid staff. That changed in the early 1990s, when professional curators took over and a regular programme and fixed opening hours were introduced. Since the mid-1990s the focus has been on contemporary work and younger artists.

What will you see inside?

The programme centres on temporary shows by Swiss and international artists. Urs Fischer and Ugo Rondinone both had early solo exhibitions here. The calendar also includes displays from the association's collection and an annual show devoted to the local art scene. That yearly exhibition, traditionally without a jury, alternates with the triennial "Heimspiel", which brings together artists from several cantons.

The collection also holds twentieth-century classics. Othmar Huber, a longtime board member and collector, helped drive the purchase of modernists, among them Kirchner's "Vor Sonnenaufgang", acquired in 1952.

When should you go, and what does it cost?

Sources give differing hours. According to museums.ch the gallery is open Wednesday to Friday from 12 to 18 and on weekends from 11 to 17; other listings say Tuesday to Friday from 14. Check kunsthausglarus.ch before you travel, as special hours can apply when exhibitions change over. A full ticket is around CHF 10, reduced around CHF 5.

How do you plan the visit?

Glarus is roughly an hour by train from Zurich, so a day trip works well. Allow one to two hours for the gallery, then spend the rest of the day on a walk around the town and the surrounding valleys.

Frequently asked questions

Is Kunsthaus Glarus a traditional museum? Not quite. It is mainly a venue for contemporary exhibitions, complemented by displays from the association's holdings.

Who designed the building? Hans Leuzinger. It opened in 1952.

How much is admission? About CHF 10 for adults and CHF 5 reduced. Confirm current prices on the gallery's website.

Is it worth a trip on its own? If you follow contemporary Swiss art, yes. Exhibitions change regularly, so look at the current programme first.