Financed through a collaborative effort
A convincing overall solution calls for collaborative financing: private individuals, foundations and companies will cover more than a third of the CHF 133.5 million (as at 2024) to be spent on the museum’s renewal.
The total costs for the renovation of the Stettler Building, the building at Hodlerstrasse 6 and the new replacement building amount to around CHF 133.5 million as at 2024 (or CHF 147 million assuming inflation of 10% until 2033). One third is to be financed privately.
Funding
| Planned contribution by Kunstmuseum Bern (donations/sponsorship/fundraising) | 52 million |
| Planned contribution from the Canton of Bern | 81.5 million |
| Total | 133.5 million |
The financing plan anticipates contributions of CHF 52 million from private individuals, foundations and companies. Through his generous commitment, museum patron Hansjörg Wyss is contributing CHF 30 million. Museumsstiftung der Burgergemeinde Bern has pledged CHF 2 million and private individuals have pledged CHF 2 million. Discussions are currently underway with other private donors to secure the remaining CHF 18 million (as at April 2025).
The City of Bern is getting involved in various ways: it is transferring building rights to the Hodlerstrasse 6 building to the Kunstmuseum Bern Foundation at no charge and covering the costs for public spaces and streets.
The Canton of Bern – which finances Kunstmuseum Bern as a cultural institution of national importance in accordance with the Cantonal Cultural Promotion Act – is to be asked to cover the costs of renovating the old building (Stettler Building) and the building at Hodlerstrasse 6, and to contribute toward the cost of the replacement building. The renovation of the old building is necessary independently of the “Kunstmuseum Bern of the future” project. The canton must only pay as much for the replacement building as it would have cost to renovate the extension building constructed in 1983. The canton will incur total costs of CHF 81.5 million (as at 2024).
“The winning project offers convincing architectural answers for new art experiences and public meeting places for all, while remaining consistent with the principles of climate protection and energy efficiency. To keep costs stable and predictable, the plans and project planning are based on a cost ceiling. We are thrilled to be safeguarding the future viability of the Kunstmuseum for subsequent generations with this project.”
Jonathan Gimmel, President of the Board of Trustees of the Kunstmuseum Bern – Zentrum Paul Klee umbrella foundation
Renovation of Stettler Building (old building) | 27.2 Mio. |
Renovation of Hodlerstrasse 6 building | 17.7 Mio. |
Replacement building (including change to the Metro Parking exit) | 88.6 Mio. |
Total costs (as at 2024) | 133.5 Mio. |
Inflation (presumption of 10% until 2033) * | 13.35 Mio. |
Total costs as at 2033 (including assumed inflation; rounded) | 147 Mio. |
Planned contribution from the Canton of Bern * | 81.5 Mio. |
Planned contribution from the Kunstmuseum Bern Foundation
Of this, the following are guaranteed:
Remaining financing (18 million) via foundations, businesses, private individuals and third-party funding | 52 Mio.
|
Total (as at 2024) | 133.5 Mio. |
* The canton is being requested to assume the costs associated with any inflation, as the Kunstmuseum Bern Foundation cannot bear this risk.
Reasons for the renewal
Whether building services equipment, air conditioning and cooling systems, fire protection or exhibition rooms: the Kunstmuseum lacks a modern, sustainable infrastructure. In some cases, operation is only possible with special permits.
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Questions and answers
This is where you’ll find the most important questions and answers about the “Kunstmuseum Bern of the future” construction project.
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Donations
Your generous donation will help safeguard the future of Kunstmuseum Bern and preserve important cultural assets for future generations. You will be actively supporting the realisation of the planned replacement building.
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