Himmerlands Kunstmuseum

In 1980, the local artist Jens Nielsen wanted to give Aars a number of his religiously inspired pictures, if proper premises could be found for the collection of paintings and watercolours.

This sparked the initiative for Himmerland Art Museum. The new art gallery was financed by private funds collected and support from the city's financial institutions.

In 1981, Himmerland Art Museum was established as an extension to Vesthimmerland Museum, and 50 paintings and 100 watercolours were handed over to Aars Municipality and the new art gallery, respectively.

Of course, the first exhibition at Himmerland Art Museum consisted of Jens Nielsen's pictures. Subsequently, the paintings were hung at the Town Hall in Aars, and Himmerland Art Museum came to be the setting for changing exhibitions with acclaimed, talented and significant contemporary artists.

Per Kirkeby designs new museum

During the same period, Vesthimmerlands Gymnasium had started a collaboration with Per Kirkeby. Therefore, the art museum's board contacted Per Kirkeby, who stayed on Læsø during the summer months. Kirkeby then lent part of his summer production for hanging at Himmerland Art Museum. It became a tradition that lasted for 25 years.

In 1999, a very extensive rebuilding of the entire museum was carried out. Together with architect Jens Bertelsen, Per Kirkeby designed a completely new museum that connected the existing buildings and expanded with a brand new exhibition building with large roof surfaces to the north. The entire building took the shape of "Thor's hammer". After this, the former art gallery was incorporated into the historical exhibition, and Himmerland Art Museum moved down into the two new exhibition halls, which are now used for exhibitions of contemporary art.

 

Source: www.himmerlandskunstmuseum.dk