The anniversary celebration takes place across ARoS and will include music, tours, speeches and talks including Danish artist Bjørn Nørgaard, whose work visitors can view in our new display, ‘ARoS Collection: 1960 – now’. You can join guided behind-the-scenes tours for a special look at ARoS' impressive collection store, which is normally not accessible to visitors. Or you can build your own miniature model of ARoS based on a design by architect Constance Lee Krarup Belling.  

Aarhus architects Schmidt Hammer Lassen (SHL) designed the museum building which opened its doors to the public on April 7 2004. Annual pass holders can look forward to a lecture by architect and SHL founding partner Morten Schmidt, who will talk about the concept behind the iconic ARoS building and the special traits of museum architecture.  

Museum Director Rebecca Matthews looks forward to celebrating the 20 years that have passed and working towards another successful 20 years into the future.   

"We are proud to celebrate this important milestone with our visitors who, like us, cherish ARoS not only as an art museum, but also as an important creative space where you can recalibrate and find renewed energy,” she says adding:  

"Our 20th anniversary marks the prosperity that ARoS has experienced for the past two decades: The museum is internationally known and has become a landmark for Aarhus and the region. We celebrate this just one year ahead of the grand opening of The Next Level in 2025 with James Turrell's impressive Skyspace, which will bring the museum, the city and our visitors into a whole new era."   

On Sunday 7th of the anniversary weekend, the exact date of our 20th anniversary, Rebecca Matthews will open the doors and welcome visitors together with former museum director Jens Erik Sørensen, who was responsible for shaping and opening a new ARoS back in 2004. Exclusive goodie bags will be handed out to the first 50 attendees on Sunday.   

For the anniversary, ARoS is publishing a richly illustrated anniversary book with a retrospective of the greatest exhibitions and acquisitions of the past 20 years. The book is sold at a reduced price in the ARoS Shop throughout the anniversary weekend.   

Opening hours on both Saturday and Sunday are 10am – 5pm. 

The full program for both days can be found on the ARoS’ website here.