Art Museum Brandts, Odense

From Woollen Mill to Cultural Powerhouse

Art Museum Brandts occupies part of the old Brandts Klædefabrik complex, once a humming woollen mill at the heart of Odense’s industrial life. Today, the brick buildings and cast-iron details have been carefully adapted, retaining raw beams, tall factory windows and open floorplates that hint at the building’s working past. Instead of clattering machines, the spaces now hum with conversations about art, colour and ideas. This transformation is central to Brandts’ character. The museum stands inside a small "city within the city" where galleries, studios, cinemas and cafés share the cobbled courtyards. Stepping inside, you sense both continuity and change: the solid, practical architecture of a factory now devoted to experimentation and reflection.

Danish Art Across 250 Years

Brandts’ collection focuses on roughly 250 years of Danish art, giving a compact but rich overview of the country’s visual culture. Works from the 19th century trace the era when Danish painters turned to light, landscape and everyday life, while 20th‑century pieces show how artists responded to modernity, war and new technologies. On different floors you may encounter everything from expressive painting and sculpture to contemporary installations that challenge what an art museum can be. Temporary exhibitions, typically eight to ten each year, introduce international perspectives or spotlight particular themes, movements or artists, ensuring there is always something new to discover alongside the core collection.

Photography, Media and Visual Culture

Brandts has long been associated with photography and newer media, and that heritage continues in its approach to visual culture. Exhibitions often explore how images shape the way we see ourselves and the world, bringing together historic photographs, film, digital works and design. Displays might follow the evolution of cameras and media technology, or examine how news images, advertising and social platforms influence society. This focus makes Brandts feel closely connected to everyday life beyond the museum walls, inviting you to question the pictures that surround you outside the gallery.

Families, Play and Hands-On Encounters

A hallmark of Brandts is its art at children’s level. For decades the museum has hosted a traditional sensory exhibition where younger visitors are encouraged to touch, move, listen and play their way into artistic ideas. Rather than simply looking from a distance, children can crawl into spaces, interact with textures and colours, and experience works with their whole bodies. Alongside this, a creative family workshop invites all ages to experiment with materials, drawing, collage or simple sculptural forms inspired by current exhibitions. It is an environment where adults and children explore together, making the museum an easy recommendation for multi‑generational outings.

Café Culture and Design-Focused Shopping

On the ground floor, the Brandts Art Café opens towards the atmospheric Amphi Square. Inside, sculptures and a large mural by artist Malene Landgreen give the space a distinctive identity, while large windows keep you connected to the urban life outside. The menu leans towards seasonal cakes, salads, sandwiches and good coffee, with wine and speciality beers for a more leisurely break between galleries. Nearby, the museum shop functions as a compact design store. Shelves carry posters, art books, Danish crafts, small design objects and occasionally original prints or lithographs. Access to both café and shop is free, allowing locals to use Brandts as an everyday meeting place even without a museum ticket.

Green Initiatives in an Urban Setting

Art Museum Brandts has been recognised as a Green Attraction, a Danish certification for sites that prioritise environmental responsibility. This involves efforts in areas such as energy use, waste sorting and sustainable purchasing, as well as communicating green initiatives to visitors. Set within a walkable central neighbourhood, the museum fits naturally into a low‑impact way of exploring Odense. You can combine a visit here with nearby boutiques, cinemas and other cultural venues in the Brandts Klædefabrik area, experiencing an urban quarter where historic buildings, art and everyday city life are woven together.