With around 4,000 works the Zentrum Paul Klee boasts the world’s most important collection of paintings, watercolours and drawings as well as archives and biographical material from all the creative periods of Paul Klee’s life.
 
Using a contemporary approach as well as new scientific interpretations and innovative methodological forms of presentation the Zentrum Paul Klee aims to harness Paul Klee’s creative potential as an impulse for today’s artistic and cultural work.
 
Visitors will be able to gain new insights and experiences, and be encouraged to look more closely at the life and work of Paul Klee, thereafter returning time and again to the Zentrum Paul Klee.
 
Through its activities the Zentrum Paul Klee is to establish itself as the world’s centre of competence for research into and appraisal of the life and work of Paul Klee and his influence. To achieve these objectives, the Zentrum Paul Klee is compiling a varied offer of exhibition and appreciation programs structured according to the needs of visitors of different age groups and with different backgrounds and cultural interests.
 
To this end

• The Zentrum Paul Klee offers exhibition rooms of a high aesthetic and functional quality for changing presentations from the body of the collection and for special exhibitions.
• The communication zone provides a wide range of electronic and printed information material.
• A large activity area has been set up to encourage children, adolescents and adults to give free rein to their own creativity.
• Special rooms allow those visitors with a specific interest to gain an insight into parts of the extensive collections of drawings.
• A chamber-music hall provides the ideal setting for musical events.
• Modern, state-of-the-art event and conference rooms are available for discussions of issues pertaining to different areas of culture and knowledge.
• The Sculpture Park and the surroundings designed by architect Renzo Piano offer a unique symbiosis of nature and culture.

The Zentrum Paul Klee has established the basis for its exhibition and appreciation program by

• Drawing up and implementing attractive appraisal and presentation methods.
• Conducting research projects that broaden the body of knowledge about Paul Klee, his artistic environment and the influence of his work, and make the results of the research accessible to the general public.
• Expanding the items in the collection according to themes, taking account also of Paul Klee’s circle of artistic friends.
• Adopting a scientific management approach to the collection and curatorship in terms of both conservation and restoration.
• Encouraging exchanges with art museums all over the world.
• Co-operating with museums and other cultural and educational establishments at municipal, cantonal and national level.

The Zentrum Paul Klee was made possible by the Klee and Müller founder families, the authorities, and the people of the City, Canton and Civic Community of Bern, as well as partners in trade and industry.
 
Bern, 30 June 2003.