Cities
Germany Frankfurt am Main Hesse Gallery

Portikus

About

Portikus in Frankfurt am Main is a leading venue for contemporary art, known for its experimental spirit and international reach. Situated on a small island in the River Main, the gallery occupies a striking modern building behind the classical portico of the former city library, blending historical architecture with cutting-edge design. Since its founding in 1987, Portikus has hosted solo exhibitions and site-specific projects by emerging and established artists from around the world. It serves as a laboratory for artistic innovation, often presenting works that challenge conventional formats and engage with pressing social, political, and aesthetic questions. The program is closely linked to the Städelschule, Frankfurt’s renowned art academy, fostering dialogue between academic research and public exhibition. With its intimate scale and bold curatorial vision, Portikus offers a unique platform for contemporary art that is both locally rooted and globally connected, making it a vital space for cultural exchange and artistic experimentation.

Frankfurt am Main Germany
Portikus
Location

Portikus is a renowned contemporary art exhibition hall located on a small island in the river Main in the heart of Frankfurt am Main, accessible via the Alte Brücke (Old Bridge). Founded in 1987 by Kasper König, its name comes from the surviving portico of the former Stadtbibliothek (public library) dating to 1825, destroyed in World War II. Initially housed behind this portico, Portikus moved through several locations before settling in a modern building designed by architect Christoph Mäckler in 2006. The gallery is closely linked to the Städelschule, Frankfurt’s Academy of Fine Arts, fostering rich exchanges between exhibiting international artists and art students. Portikus is known for its experimental, site-specific exhibitions that showcase both established and emerging artists, often commissioning artworks uniquely tailored to its distinctive riverside space. The gallery offers free entry, inviting visitors to engage deeply with cutting-edge contemporary art within an architecturally striking environment complemented by views of the Main River and Frankfurt’s cityscape.​

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