Insider tips for thriving during Berlin Art Week

Insider tips for thriving during Berlin Art Week

Berlin Art Week 2025: A Week-Long Celebration of Contemporary Art

Get ready for an unforgettable week as Berlin Art Week 2025 takes centre stage from September 10 to 14, 2025. This seven-day cultural extravaganza promises a diverse array of contemporary art exhibitions, performances, parties, and more, attracting art enthusiasts from around the globe.

The festival features over 100 museums, galleries, collections, project spaces, and the Positions art fair, making it an essential event for anyone interested in the art world. Key days, including September 11-15, fall fully within the festival schedule, with some exhibitions extending beyond these dates.

Artists and Exhibitions

Some of the notable artists showcasing their work during Berlin Art Week include Petrit Halilaj, Erik Schmidt, Cornelia Parker, Phoebe Collings-James, Cihad Caner, Mark Leckey, Issy Wood, Jordan Strafer, Charmaine Poh, and Jiyoung Yoon. Group exhibitions focusing on migrant experiences and political and social dynamics will also be on display at venues such as Savvy Contemporary and Haus der Kulturen der Welt.

Positions Berlin Art Fair

The Positions Berlin Art Fair, running from September 11–14, at Hangar 7, Flughafen Tempelhof, serves as Berlin Art Week’s official art fair partner. This event will feature 75 galleries presenting modern and contemporary art.

Open Houses and Guided Tours

Renowned private collections will open to the public without registration, while guided tours through private Berlin-based collectors' spaces offer unprecedented access.

Berlin Art Week Garten

The Berlin Art Week Garten will run at Hamburger Bahnhof - Museum für Gegenwart from September 10–14, as a recurring exhibition feature of the festival.

Notable Exhibition Openings

The week kicks off with the Margarethe von Trotta exhibition opening on September 10 at 6 PM at Neuer Berliner Kunstverein (nbk). Charmaine Poh's "Artist of the Year 2025" show at PalaisPopulaire runs from September 11 – February 23, 2026, while Mark Leckey’s show will be on display from September 11 – May 3, 2026, at the Julia Stoschek Foundation.

Parties and Evening Events

Berlin Art Week traditionally includes numerous evening openings, receptions, and parties hosted by galleries, museums, and partners to celebrate the festival launch and exhibitions. Although the detailed party schedule is not yet disclosed, attendees can expect a lively and vibrant atmosphere throughout the week.

Exploring Beyond the Mainstream

Venturing beyond districts like Kreuzberg and Mitte to areas like Wedding can offer a different art scene, with each Berlin district having its own art tribe and art fans.

Networking Opportunities

The purpose of an art opening is more for networking than viewing art. Standing alone at an art opening can indicate someone is reading the exhibition text and may be approached. Making random and unverifiable comments to strangers at art openings can help make art-world friends. Introducing people in the network to each other can help move up the social ladder.

Artists as DJs

It's common for artists to DJ at nearby nightclubs during Berlin Art Week, adding an extra layer of excitement to the festival.

Art World Etiquette

In the art world, being flamboyant and unhinged can be beneficial. Implying one's dead uncle was loaded and left "holdings" can help put collectors at ease. However, it is not recommended to attend an art opening alone, as it can lead to feeling isolated. Despite the chaotic environment, attending an art opening can provide opportunities for networking.

Artist Dinners

Being invited to an artist's dinner at a low to mid-priced restaurant is a sign of acceptance. At these dinners, collectors may discuss their income streams. While artist dinners are not always as fun as expected, exclusivity makes them valuable.

Attending Berlin Art Week 2025 promises a week filled with art, networking, and unforgettable experiences. Whether you're a seasoned art enthusiast or a curious newcomer, this event offers something for everyone. For detailed daily schedules, checking official Berlin Art Week communications closer to the event is recommended, as venues publish specific opening and event timings.

1. Prepare for an extraordinary week as Berlin Art Week 2025 unfolds, covering a wide range of contemporary art, from September 10 to 14, 2025.
2. The festival encompasses over 100 museums, galleries, collections, project spaces, and the Positions art fair, establishing it as a significant event for the art community.
3. Key days for the festival stretch from September 11-15, with select exhibitions extending beyond these dates.
4. Notable artists such as Petrit Halilaj, Erik Schmidt, Cornelia Parker, Phoebe Collings-James, Cihad Caner, Mark Leckey, Issy Wood, Jordan Strafer, Charmaine Poh, and Jiyoung Yoon will showcase their work.
5. Group exhibitions on migrant experiences and political and social dynamics will be presented at venues like Savvy Contemporary and Haus der Kulturen der Welt.
6. The Positions Berlin Art Fair, from September 11–14, at Hangar 7, Flughafen Tempelhof, functions as a key partner to Berlin Art Week.
7. Open Houses and guided tours, offering unregistered public access to renowned private collections, promise exclusive insight into Berlin's art scene.
8. The Berlin Art Week Garten will be held at Hamburger Bahnhof - Museum für Gegenwart from September 10–14, as a recurring exhibition feature.
9. The opening of the Margarethe von Trotta exhibition at Neuer Berliner Kunstverein (nbk) on September 10 marks the beginning of the week-long festivities.
10. Charmaine Poh's "Artist of the Year 2025" show at PalaisPopulaire will run from September 11 – February 23, 2026, and Mark Leckey’s show will be on display from September 11 – May 3, 2026, at the Julia Stoschek Foundation.
11. Evenings during the festival will feature numerous openings, receptions, and parties offering a lively atmosphere, although specific details have yet to be disclosed.
12. Stepping outside of traditional districts like Kreuzberg and Mitte, exploring areas like Wedding can unveil a unique and distinct Berlin art scene for every district.
13. Networking opportunities abound during art openings, where standing alone can be interpreted as engrossed in reading the exhibition text, opening potential conversations.
14. Artist DJ sets at nearby nightclubs can provide an extra layer of excitement to Berlin Art Week festivities.
15. Art world etiquette is fluid, with being flamboyant and unconventional sometimes fostering connections, while attending an art opening alone may lead to feelings of isolation despite excellent networking opportunities. Artist dinners, even when not as fun as anticipated, maintain their exclusivity and value in the art world.

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