The Prinzhorn Collection is a museum for art by people with exceptional psychological experience. It is part of the Center for Psychosocial Medicine at the University Hospital Heidelberg. Founded around 1900, the collection was substantially expanded following World War I, and thus represents a significant historical starting point for the current growing interest in so-called Outsider Art. The unique collection of approx. 40,000 visual artworks, texts, and musical compositions from around 1825 until today, primarily from German-speaking countries, continues to grow steadily.
The role of the museum is to contribute to the appreciation, understanding, and research of this art and its artists, giving them a voice and advancing the efforts to destigmatize people with mental health challenges, and to remove the societal barriers faced by them. To this end, we develop exhibitions, accompanying events, and publications that serve as models for other institutions. In addition, we support the growing global interest in art by people with mental illness by loaning our exhibitions and artworks to institutions in Germany and abroad, and by promoting the research of external experts and artists.
Legal status:
Department of a university hospital
Permanent address:
Vossstr. 2
69115 Heidelberg
Germany
Phone number:
+0049 6221-564739
Email address:
shopprinzhorn.zpm@med.uni-heidelberg.de
Website:
Year of foundation: 2001
Number of permanent staff:
Full time: 3
Part time: 6
Type of organisation:
Museum