Kunstmuseum Brandt – set your imagination free

By Signe Hansen

Located in a transformed textile factory in the heart of Odense, Kunstmuseum Brandts offers visitors of all ages a one-of-a-kind art experience, featuring industrial settings, the city’s best panoramic views, and exhibitions ranging from historic masterpieces to contemporary and family-friendly shows.

Located just an hour from Copenhagen by train, Kunstmuseum Brandts has become a favourite destination for art enthusiasts of all ages. In fact, for many children, the museum provides their first memorable encounter with art – and with this summer’s mix of Cathie Pilkington’s contemporary works, Jens Juel’s dark portraits, and Jakob Martin Strid’s enchanting universe, the museum is sure to please its many loyal regulars as well as any curious newcomers.

“We show world-class art in a way that feels accessible to everyone,” explains museum director Stine Høholt. “Each year, the museum presents a diverse exhibition programme with bold, inspiring and moving works, aspiring to offer as many views of the world as the world of art is full of. We like to encourage different sensibilities and expressions, and feel that this is a great way to be relevant and inclusive.”

Director Stine Høholt. Photo: Robert Wengler

More than an art museum

Housed in an old textile factory, one of Denmark’s first industrial buildings to be transformed for cultural use, the museum is a destination in itself. “You can still see the oil stains from weaving machines on the original floors in our collection wing,” says Høholt. “There is a special atmosphere in a museum with historic surroundings, adding an extra dimension to the visitor experience.”

Across the building’s five floors, the museum showcases an impressive collection of Danish and international art, with almost 17,000 works, including paintings by Hammershøi, Juel, and Lundstrøm. With many regular local visitors, the museum also offers a cosy place to meet locals and experience the friendly atmosphere of Funen and Odense, a large university city with a buzzing city centre.

“We are located in the middle of the city and are part of its vibrant urban life, and our museum offers the best view in town – a panorama over the city’s rooftops,” says Høholt. The museum’s central location also means that it is within easy reach by both car and train, with the station just a few minutes’ walk away.

The museum provides many children with their first memorable art encounter. Photo: ELS

This year’s highlights

This year’s highlights include an exhibition by one of Britain’s most exciting contemporary artists, as sculptor Cathie Pilkington transforms the museum’s fourth floor into a whole installation, titled Rag and Bone. Combining her sculpted and painted works with a wide range of props, materials, and furniture, it is the artist’s first solo exhibition in a Danish museum.

Photo: ELS

Other highlights include Jens Juel’s portraits of Danish royals and nobles (until 24 August), as well as over 80 original works from popular Danish children’s book creator Jakob Martin Strid’s The Fantastic Bus. “We see all age groups enjoying Strid’s poetic line, which conveys strong messages about art, imagination, and community,” says Høholt. “The exhibition is perfect for children and families, but also for any adults who want to join an adventurous road trip.”

Photo: Kristine Mengel

A family destination

It is by no means the first time the museum presents art that appeals to a younger audience. For 30 years, the museum’s sensory exhibitions have offered artistic, playful spaces to explore life in new ways. “For many children, this is their first meeting with art,” says Høholt. “We take them by the hand into worlds and stories that they can easily enter. It should be fun, serious, and thought-provoking – but never indifferent.”

Moreover, welcoming staff, a creative workshop, and a café overlooking Odense’s cosiest square provide the setting for a full day of unforgettable art experiences. “Our ambition is to offer a wide range of high-quality exhibitions all year round, and to be the first choice for visitors from across the globe who seek world-class art, creativity, and inspiration,” stresses Høholt and concludes; “Whether you drop by for a short visit or spend several hours here, our museum is designed to set your imagination free, open up dreams, and inspire meaningful conversations.”