Danish Poster Museum (Dansk Plakatmuseum), Aarhus

A world of posters in the heart of Den Gamle By

The Danish Poster Museum sits within Den Gamle By’s evocative 1974 quarter, yet its focus stretches far beyond Aarhus and Denmark. Step through the entrance and you move straight into a world of bold colours, punchy slogans and striking imagery, all drawn from one of Northern Europe’s most extensive poster collections. The museum is dedicated entirely to posters, giving this everyday medium the same attention usually reserved for painting or sculpture. Founded in 1970 by artist Peder Stougaard, the museum has grown into a specialised institution that explores how societies communicate through print on walls, billboards and street corners. Today it forms an integral part of the Old Town Museum complex, but its subject matter feels distinctly modern, connecting city streets, political movements and pop culture in a single graphic narrative.

From political manifestos to pop culture icons

The collection spans political, cultural, artistic and commercial posters alongside classic newspaper placards. One moment you might be looking at a hard-hitting political message, the next at a whimsical circus advertisement or a minimalist design for a new product. Together they trace changing tastes, technologies and social concerns from the late 19th century to the present day. Many visitors find themselves unexpectedly recognising familiar images from childhood, old film releases or campaigns that once lined Danish streets. The oldest posters date back to the 1880s, and the archive includes material from well over a hundred countries, revealing how different cultures have approached persuasion, information and visual storytelling.

Architecture made for images

The museum’s dedicated building, designed by the C. F. Møller architectural studio and opened in 2009, provides a clean, contemporary frame for the vibrant displays. Spread over two floors and around 360 square metres, the interior combines simple lines and controlled light to keep the focus firmly on the works themselves. At street level, high ceilings and flexible wall systems allow for regularly changing special exhibitions. Upstairs, the mood shifts slightly in the permanent gallery of Danish poster classics, where carefully arranged sequences highlight artistic innovation, typography and the evolution of visual trends across decades.

Rotating exhibitions and fresh perspectives

Rather than attempting to show its entire trove at once, the museum selects a few hundred posters at a time, typically between 400 and 500 in each presentation. These curated shows might examine a particular era, theme or country, or spotlight how posters have shaped public debate around social issues, festivals, travel, or consumer goods. Because exhibitions rotate several times a year, the experience can change significantly between visits. Some displays focus on design and aesthetics, others on historical context or the power of visual propaganda. Text panels and thoughtful groupings encourage you to read the posters both as artworks and as historical documents.

A compact, design-focused museum experience

Compared with the larger streets and squares of Den Gamle By, the Danish Poster Museum is an intimate space, inviting you to slow down and look closely at details: a clever piece of lettering, a bold colour choice, or the way an image condenses a complex idea into a single striking scene. It is easy to explore in under an hour, yet rich enough to reward longer, more reflective visits. The atmosphere is quietly absorbing rather than formal; families, students and design enthusiasts can all find their own points of interest. Combined with the surrounding 1970s townscape, it offers a layered experience where graphic design, everyday history and urban life intersect just a few steps apart.

Why it matters today

In an age dominated by digital screens, the Danish Poster Museum highlights the enduring power of printed imagery. Posters here are more than decoration: they advertise concerts, promote political causes, sell products and commemorate historic moments. Seeing them together under one roof reveals how public space has long been a contested canvas for ideas, art and commerce. For anyone interested in visual culture, communication or the history of cities, this museum provides a concentrated insight into how images have shaped public imagination. It is both a window onto the past and a reminder that a single sheet of paper, thoughtfully designed, can change the way people see the world.