Amerikahaus Munich: Information on exhibitions, events, research center

Why the Amerikahaus is worth a visit:

Communicating transatlantic ties for all generations: that is the mission of the Amerikahaus at Karolinenplatz.

What's there to see? Besides its regular exhibitions the Amerikahaus has much more to offer: Use the research center, take part in events and group discussions or find out more about a stay abroad in the US and Canada. The wide range of cultural events and services, such as book presentations and exhibitions, theater performances and concerts, lectures and discussions, conferences, and workshops is firmly established in Munich’s cultural scene.

What's special? The Amerikahaus is an open house for everyone; you can visit every day during opening hours. Opening hours may vary during large events, so please check the Amerikahaus website for information about closings. It offers plenty of space for exchange. The events take place largely in German, but also in English or in both languages (German/English). Selected events are also held in Spanish.

Diverse event program on culture and society

The Amerikahaus hosts events on current topics from the US, Canada and Latin America, such as book presentations, lectures and discussions, workshops, film and theater performances and concerts.

In addition, you can also see temporary exhibitions. The exhibition program is as colorful as the variety of events – recent highlights included:

• TransVision (2022): This project consisted of two exhibitions dedicated to the history and development of trans* culture – from different perspectives, in Munich and on both sides of the Atlantic.
• Hope, Never Fear (2019): A Personal Portrait of Michelle und Barack Obama: Callie Shell's photo exhibition traced the emotional journey of Barack Obama and his family from senator through the election campaign to the White House in Washington.
• 80 Years of Batman (2019): For this anniversary, the Amerikahaus dedicated an impressive tribute to the popular comic character and his friends. The exhibition presented an overview of comic artists from 80 years: with original drawings by Bob Kane, Neal Adams, Jim Aparo, Frank Miller, Jim Lee, Greg Capullo, Alex Ross, Tim Sale, Jock and many more.
• The Cold War. Causes - History - Consequences (2016): With historical photos, documents, texts and QR codes that linked to online films, the Amerikahaus illustrated the difficult period of the Cold War given the tense East-West relations.
• 51st State - Living in a U.S. Army Barracks in Bavaria (2015): For 70 years the US Army has been stationed in Bavaria. With her pictures, photographer Lila Hartig showed what the lives of the American soldiers “between their two worlds” look like.

Architecture of the Amerikahaus

The historic building on Karolinenplatz is exemplary of post-war modern architecture, for which open and transparent buildings are typical - in keeping with the democratization of Germany. In addition, it adapts to its surroundings by being based on the classicist construction on Karolinenplatz. The architects Karl Fischer and Franz Simm built it from 1955 to 1957.

It is a free-standing, four-storey building block with a square floor plan and a drum-shaped, copper-clad flat dome over a circular atrium that runs through all floors. The ground floor is clad with Kelheim shell limestone and the windows on the first floor are accentuated by an aedicula-like frame. On the garden side there is a low building in which the theater is located.

The general renovation of the Amerikahaus began at the beginning of 2016 and was completed in 2020. A lot has happened, especially inside: The former theater was converted into a multifunctional hall for concerts and cinema screenings in 4K resolution and Dolby surround sound. The room is also suitable for lectures, readings and conferences. On the first floor you can now find the Karolinensaal with a fantastic view of Karolinenplatz.

Admission

The Amerikahaus is accessible free of charge.

History of the Amerikahaus

The concept of the Amerikahaus was originally established all over Germany right after the end of World War II and was devoted to the re-education and democratization of Germans according to the American model. This, however, does not mean that these centers engaged in propaganda, since critical depictions of the United States’ diversity in culture, politics, and society were also emphasized.

The Amerikahaus in Munich soon became a major part of Munich’s cultural life and attracted an average of 80,000 visitors per month. Munich’s surroundings were reached by special mobile libraries. At first, the American military government financed these activities, until the United States Information Agency (USIA) later took over.

During the Cold War, the Bavarian Center for Transatlantic Relations adapted its main task to the political atmosphere of the time and focused on maintaining and stabilizing transatlantic relations. While the German public was generally excited about John F. Kennedy and the moon landing, critical situations like the Vietnam War and the conflicts within American society posed a special challenge to the work of the Amerikahaus in Munich. Despite many protests directed towards the Amerikahaus during this time, it still managed to maintain its great importance in cultural life, even among the youth who were particularly critical of American politics.

As a result of cost-cutting measures, the work of the US government at the Amerikahaus was discontinued in June 1997. Since then it has continued as a Bavarian institution. Today it is an open house for citizens and transatlantic players dedicated to cooperation and networking with the US.