About this place
Kunstmuseet KUBE is the county art museum of Møre og Romsdal, located in the heart of Ålesund at Apotekergata 16. Its coordinates are roughly 62.47 N, 6.15 E, a short walk from the waterfront and the town's Art Nouveau streets.
What is this place?
KUBE is the regional art museum for the whole of Møre og Romsdal county. It builds, looks after and presents a collection with a strong focus on Norwegian and Nordic Art Nouveau, along with art connected to the region. Several exhibitions are held each year, so the programme changes with the season and it is worth checking what is on before you go.
What building does the museum occupy?
The museum is housed in a former Norges Bank branch office built in 1906. In 2005 the building was remodelled so it could serve as an art museum. An early twentieth-century building now hosts contemporary and historical art, and it fits naturally into the character of the neighbourhood.
Why so much Art Nouveau in Ålesund?
In 1904 a huge fire devastated Ålesund. The rebuilding in the years that followed gave the town its distinctive look, and it is now one of the most characteristic Art Nouveau environments in Europe (Jugendstil in Norwegian). The museum therefore sits in a place that is itself a showcase of the style, which fits well with its collection.
How does KUBE relate to the Art Nouveau Centre?
KUBE is a neighbour of the Art Nouveau Centre (Jugendstilsenteret). The Centre occupies the Apotekergården, a building completed in 1907 that originally combined a pharmacy and a residence. Together the two institutions form the Kulturkvartalet foundation. According to the regional tourism organisation Fjord Norway, the museum also holds a national responsibility for Art Nouveau. In practice, one area lets you take in both the architecture and interiors of the era and the art of the region.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Kunstmuseet KUBE? In central Ålesund at Apotekergata 16, next to the Art Nouveau Centre.
What is KUBE? The county art museum of Møre og Romsdal, with a collection focused on Norwegian and Nordic Art Nouveau and art connected to the region.
What building is the museum in? A former Norges Bank branch from 1906, remodelled in 2005 for the museum.
Do the exhibitions change? Yes, several exhibitions are staged each year.
Is the museum linked to the Art Nouveau Centre? Yes, the two together form the Kulturkvartalet foundation.
What are the opening hours? Hours vary by season, so check the museum's official information or tourism listings before visiting.
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