Looking Back on the Anniversary Celebration – 50 Years of Kunstmuseum Magdeburg

On 14 June 2025, Kunstmuseum Magdeburg celebrated a very special milestone: for five decades now, the museum has been a place dedicated to contemporary art – a true cause for celebration! Together with numerous visitors, we looked back on 50 years of art and collecting activity.

At the heart of the celebration was the grand opening of the exhibition “Challenged Togetherness”, which spans three floors of the museum. Featuring more than 100 artistic positions, the exhibition offers a fresh perspective on the museum’s collection and explores the concept of community from a wide range of voices.

The opening was accompanied by a varied and vibrant programme: there was music by Lenka Župková, Ultracello, Simon Becker, and Sophie Tassignon. Markus Müller performed on the rare instrument Nebula Euphon. Over 50 celebratory Gugelhupf cakes awaited visitors at a festive coffee table in the sculpture park. Swing39 e. V. provided lively moments with live swing music in the sculpture park, inviting everyone to dance along.

The celebration concluded with the opening of the exhibition “A Short History of Decay” by Billy Bultheel, marked by a performance in the monastery church. Bridging medieval sound language and contemporary composition, the work redefined the boundaries between music, architecture, and political ritual.

Our heartfelt thanks go to all visitors, contributors, and supporters – especially the German Federal Cultural Foundation, the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media, the State of Saxony-Anhalt, the Foundation Monastery of Our Lady, as well as the Friends and Supporters of the Kunstmuseum – all of whom co-organised this birthday celebration.