Malmö's New Art Museum: Casino Site, Architectural Competition, and Funding Challenges

Key facts

• Malmö konstmuseum has been in Malmöhus Castle since 1937.
• The museum's collection includes 40,000 works from the 16th century to today.
• Artists in the collection include Sigrid Hjertén, Anders Zorn, and Carl Fredrik Hill.
• Last year, Malmö's cultural committee decided to move the museum to the old casino in Kungsparken.
• The casino is located between the City Library and Malmö Live concert hall.
• The museum has been running temporary activities in the casino for 1.5 years.
• An international architectural competition was announced for renovation and new construction.
• The required exhibition space is 6,500 square meters, more than three times the current space.
• The construction cost is estimated at 650–750 million SEK, funded by Malmö stad.
• Annual operating costs are estimated at 30 million SEK, not covered by the city.
• A private donation fund needs at least 200 million SEK, not yet reached.
• The current pop-up program includes exhibitions, talks, and parties.
• Viktor Timofeev's 'Abecedary Clock' (2020-2025) is displayed above the old bar.
• The architectural competition will select a winner in summer 2027 by an eleven-person jury.
• Jury members include Inga Lace from Almaty's art museum and architect Asif Khan.
• City architect Finn Williams wants a building with genuine interest in the site, not a generic showpiece.
• The new museum is expected to open in 2031.
• Malmö konstmuseum has been overshadowed by Malmö konsthall and Moderna Museet.