Vienna’s Kunsthistorisches Museum breaks records with €42M expansion ahead
The Kunsthistorisches Museum (KHM) in Vienna is experiencing a remarkable year, with record-breaking visitor numbers and revenue. Meanwhile, it's preparing for a significant infrastructure expansion, with €42 million earmarked for the project.
The museum's success is evident in its ticket sales, which have already reached €17.6 million by September 2025, outpacing the same period last year. Director-General Jonathan Fine predicts 2025 will be the most successful year in the KHM's history. This growth is reflected in visitor numbers, which have significantly exceeded those of the previous year for the first three quarters of 2025.
The museum's financial independence is also on the rise. It's expected to generate more than half of its €60 million budget through its own revenue this year. This self-sufficiency is crucial as the museum covers €7.4 million in pre-construction costs for the infrastructure expansion from existing funds.
The expansion, budgeted at €42 million, will see €25 million allocated for security upgrades, a response to recent incidents at the Louvre. The Austrian federal government is financing the project. The museum is confident in securing government support for the remaining €34.6 million needed.
As part of the expansion, the museum will relocate its special exhibitions away from the main building starting in 2027, ensuring the museum remains operational. The first exhibition slated for the new space is 'Canaletto & Bellotto' in spring 2026, focusing on two 18th-century urban landscape artists.
The Theater Museum, part of the KHM, has also seen a 26 percent increase in visitor numbers due to the major Johann Strauss exhibition.
The KHM's infrastructure expansion, bolstered by government support and the museum's own financial success, promises to enhance its security and visitor experience. As it looks towards 2027, the museum continues to thrive, with record-breaking numbers and a promising exhibition lineup.
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