Arken stores

What Arken stores does

ARKEN Museum for Samtidskunst (legal name; DBA: ARKEN, ARKEN Museum of Contemporary Art) is a Danish selvejende institution (self-governing public museum) founded in 1996 and headquartered at Skovvej 100, Ishøj, Denmark, designed by architect Søren Robert Lund. It is Denmark's largest museum dedicated solely to contemporary art, with approximately 60 full-time positions and a curatorial team led by Director Johan Holten (appointed 2019; previously Kunsthalle Mannheim). The museum generates revenue through a hybrid mix: ticket admissions (150 DKK adult / 130 DKK student / 135 DKK group / free for under-18s), Klub ARKEN annual memberships, an on-site shop and ship-shaped café overlooking Køge Bay, three-tier corporate Partner Network memberships (DKK 24,500 / 39,500 / 79,500 annually), educational programs (e.g., 1,500 DKK per meta course), guided private tours, and substantial subsidies from the Danish state (Slots- og Kulturstyrelsen, Statens Kunstfond) and major foundations including A.P. Møller Fonden, Realdania, Augustinus Fonden, and Ny Carlsbergfondet.

Its core offering is rotating exhibitions of international contemporary art alongside an outdoor sculpture park, complemented by educational programming for preschools through youth institutions, the THIRD SPACE youth community initiative launched June 2025, the PULS video art satellite venue at Vallensbæk Station (April 2025), and the ARKEN Bulletin peer-reviewed research publication. Underlying technology is conventional: online ticketing via shop.arken.dk, educational bookings via geckobooking.dk, video surveillance, and digital newsletters across Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok channels; the museum's ART + TECH Lab partnership explores digital and AI themes programmatically but does not productize proprietary AI. Long-term institutional customers include Ishøj, Brøndby, and Vallensbæk municipalities, Brøndby IF, Turning Tables Danmark, Mino Ung, NEXT København, and Ishøj Ungdomsskole, with new academic ties to the University of Copenhagen and Royal Danish Academy via the Rewilding the Museum research project.

The institution is operating actively but is under funding pressure: in 2025 it lost a major multi-million government grant following adoption of new Danish museum legislation, prompting restructuring that limits the number of complimentary guests. Sub-brands include THIRD SPACE, PULS, ARKEN Kids, and Klub ARKEN. The museum operates exclusively within Denmark, with primary catchment in Vestegnen (Copenhagen's western suburbs) and Greater Copenhagen, and is governed by a board chaired by Lars Kirdan.

Name

Arken stores

Legal name

ARKEN Museum for Samtidskunst

Website

https://arken.dk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ARKEN Museum for Samtidskunst is a Danish self-governing contemporary art museum founded 1996 in Ishøj, serving local Vestegnen communities, schools, corporate partners, and tourists through exhibitions, educational programs, the THIRD SPACE youth initiative, and a corporate Partner Network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Contemporary Art Museum

NAICS

Museums (712110), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121), Museums (71211)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYTHAJADAA

Art Museums

Travel & Hospitality/Tours, Attractions & Experiences/Museums, Galleries & Cultural Institutions

SECONDARYTHAJADAH

Art Galleries & Exhibition Spaces (Commercial & Nonprofit)

Travel & Hospitality/Tours, Attractions & Experiences/Museums, Galleries & Cultural Institutions

SECONDARYCRALAJAG

Museum, Zoo & Attraction Gift Shops

Consumer Products & Retail/Specialty Retail (Hobby, Books, Office, Pet, Toys)/Gift, Novelty & Souvenir Retail

Keywords

• Contemporary art museum
• Museum exhibitions
• Art education programs
• Museum membership programs
• Corporate hospitality events

Headquarters

HQ city

Ishøj

HQ country

Denmark

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Admission fees from visitors: Adults 150 DKK, Students 130 DKK, Children under 18 free, Group rates 135 DKK per person for groups of 10+
2. Klub ARKEN Membership: Annual membership program offering free admission and other benefits to members
3. Museum Shop: Retail sales of art books, posters, design items, and merchandise. Revenue supports museum operations including exhibitions and educational programs.
4. Café and Food Services: On-site café offering food and beverages to museum visitors
5. Corporate Partnerships: Partner Network membership tiers (Partner, Business, Ambassador) offering benefits including free tickets, networking events, and hospitality services at annual fees ranging from 24,500 to 79,500 DKK
6. Government Funding: State subsidy for operations and development, supplemented by foundation and sponsor support
7. Educational Programs: Fee-based educational programs including 'meta' courses for teacher/pedagogue students at 1,500 DKK for 120 minutes
8. Private Tours: Guided tours led by museum art educators for groups up to 30 people, lasting 45 minutes

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels9 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

ARKEN Museum for Samtidskunst operates as Denmark's largest contemporary art museum, offering general admission access to rotating exhibitions, the permanent collection, and the surrounding sculpture park. The museum supplements its core exhibition offering with retail merchandise at ARKEN Shop, food and beverage at ARKEN Café, annual Klub ARKEN membership, corporate Partner Network tiers, educational programs for schools, guided tours, private events and venue rental, and the THIRD SPACE youth community program.

Product overview

ARKEN Museum for Samtidskunst operates as Denmark's largest contemporary art museum, offering a unified visitor experience centered on exhibiting contemporary art. The core offering comprises general museum admission with access to rotating special exhibitions and the permanent collection. Supporting services include Klub ARKEN membership for repeat visitors, the ARKEN Shop for exhibition-inspired merchandise, and the ARKEN Café providing hospitality with views of Køge Bay. Educational programming includes structured courses for schools and institutions, while THIRD SPACE serves as a dedicated youth community and cultural programming platform. The Partner Network offers corporate membership tiers for business clients, and venue rental services support private events. Research dissemination occurs through ARKEN Bulletin, a peer-reviewed academic journal. The outdoor Sculpture Park provides free access to site-specific installations surrounding the museum.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• THIRD SPACE: ARKEN's new outdoor gathering place and cultural community for young people from Vestegnen, featuring concerts, workshops, and performances.
• PULS
• ARKEN Kids
• Klub ARKEN

Products and services

• ARKEN Museum Admission General admission to Denmark's largest contemporary art museum, granting visitors access to rotating special exhibitions, the permanent collection, and the sculpture park. Standard adult tickets cost 150 DKK; students 130 DKK with valid ID; groups of 10+ pay 135 DKK per person; children and youth under 18 enter free.
• Klub ARKEN Membership Annual membership program providing free museum admission, 10% discount in the café and shop, and access to exclusive events and activities for repeat visitors and art enthusiasts.
• ARKEN Shop Museum retail store offering curated books on art and design, posters, interior items, and creative goods inspired by current exhibitions and the permanent collection. Available on-site and online at shop.arken.dk; members receive a 10% discount on purchases.
• ARKEN Café On-site ship-shaped café overlooking Køge Bay offering food and beverages to museum visitors. Partner Network members receive applicable discounts.
• Education Programs

Named customers14 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Brøndby IFcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2025Collaboration on Pop-Up exhibition featuring 150 iconic football shirts and portraits created by young people from Turning Tables. Includes Family Lounge events, joint activities in THIRD SPACE, and ongoing cultural programming.
• Turning Tables DanmarkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2025NGO collaboration where young people from Brøndby Strand photographed Brøndby IF players and fans. Ongoing partnership in THIRD SPACE youth programming. Photography skills and cultural engagement for local youth.
• Vallensbæk KommunecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2025Partnership on PULS video art venue 'Under Broerne' at Vallensbæk Station, opened April 2025. Shows contemporary art and municipal films.
• Foreningen JugadoresminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFootball association from Glostrup organizing panna tournaments and street culture events at THIRD SPACE.
• Ishøj IFminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partnership with football club for youth events combining football, music, and culture at THIRD SPACE.
• Mino UngminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth organization working to strengthen ethnic minority Danes' opportunities and participation. Young speakers present personal stories at ARKEN based on current exhibitions.
• Henrik Plenge JakobsencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArtist collaboration on Another World - site-specific outdoor artwork for THIRD SPACE created with concrete fragments from demolished buildings in Vestegnen. Part of THIRD SPACE publication.
• Esben Weile KjærcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArtist created Bright Future 1 & 2 giant bouncy castles in collaboration with Smukfest. Installation for family programming and events.
• Rune FjordminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArtist collaboration on Sanddag community event celebrating cross-species community at the beach.
• Ishøj UngdomsskolecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMusic camp 'Skab din lyd - del din vibe' held at THIRD SPACE. Youth music education and creative development programs.
• NEXT KøbenhavnminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVocational school partnership including mason apprentices building sculptures inspired by Per Kirkeby drawings; design students creating THIRD SPACE campaigns.
• Sydkysten GymnasiumminorStrategic or Co-development Partner1.G design students from NEXT/Enghøj working on campaigns targeting youth for THIRD SPACE awareness. Success continuing into 2026.
• Ishøj BibliotekcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term cultural partnership on Kulturpakkeforløb for preschool children and programs for elderly care home residents.
• Glostrup Street FestivalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Street Culture Live events including Kurtis Blow rap workshop and graffiti workshops at THIRD SPACE.
• Vestegnen Youth LeadersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth leadership network involved in Street Culture Live and other THIRD SPACE programming.
• UCN10 BrøndbyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduced SIXTEEN short film about young people in Vestegnen. Collaboration continuing with SIXTEEN 2 premiere.
• Camilla RamonnminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFilmmaker collaboration on SIXTEEN 2 - collection of short films created by young people from Vestegnen.
• RÅ FestivalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth festival collaboration with THIRD SPACE sound project developed by young people in collaboration with sound artist.
• University of Copenhagen / Royal Danish Academy of Fine ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership on Rewilding the Museum research project examining how museums can engage with ecological crisis. Includes conferences and academic publications.
• Røde Kors IshøjminorOthersMaterial sponsorship for Sanddag community event.
• Det Danske FilminstitutminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in ART + TECH Lab project exploring digital technologies and AI in contemporary art.
• CybernauterneminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in ART + TECH Lab exploring digital technology and AI themes through camps, talks, and events.
• Aarhus Kommunes BibliotekerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLibrary partnership in ART + TECH Lab project.
• Roskilde BibliotekerneminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLibrary partnership in ART + TECH Lab project.
• Tønder Kommunes BibliotekerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLibrary partnership in ART + TECH Lab project.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• M+ Museum: Hong Kong's flagship contemporary visual culture museum; comparable as a large-scale contemporary art museum with architecture-led destination design, sculpture-led surroundings, learning programs, retail, and corporate venue hire.
• Tate Modern: Global benchmark for contemporary art museums with comparable programming (international artist exhibitions, learning, retail, corporate hire); relevant peer for ARKEN Bulletin research and curatorial ambition though at vastly larger scale.
• SMK – Statens Museum for Kunst (National Gallery of Denmark): Denmark's national gallery covering a broader art-historical scope (700+ years); comparable as a flagship Danish art institution but operates at a larger scale, with state oversight and a much wider mandate than ARKEN's contemporary-art focus.
• Designmuseum Danmark: Copenhagen museum focused on design and craft with adjacent contemporary programming; comparable as a Danish design/art destination with retail shop, café, and educational offerings, though with a design rather than fine-art focus.

Direct peers

• Kunsten Museum of Modern Art Aalborg: Regional Danish modern art museum with a notable architectural building and sculpture park; comparable in mission (modern/contemporary art) and operating model (subsidized museum with collection, exhibitions, learning programs), though serving northern Jutland rather than Copenhagen.
• Kunsthal Aarhus: Danish kunsthal dedicated to contemporary art exhibitions, with comparable programming (international artists, educational events, community engagement); smaller scale and city-center Aarhus location, but directly competitive in mission and exhibition model.
• Louisiana Museum of Modern Art: Denmark's other flagship modern/contemporary art museum located in Humlebæk; directly comparable in focus on 20th-21st century art, sculpture park, architecture-led destination, and major international exhibitions — competing for the same Danish and inbound tourist audience.
• Kunsthal Charlottenborg: Copenhagen-based contemporary art exhibition venue under the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts; directly comparable in focus on international contemporary art, rotating exhibitions, and venue-rental/corporate events in a landmark building.
• HEART Herning Museum of Contemporary Art: Danish contemporary art museum with focus on post-1960 art, comparable exhibition programming, educational offerings, and corporate/community partnership model; competing for Danish art tourism and cultural philanthropy.
• Trapholt Museum of Modern Art and Design: Danish regional museum combining modern art, design, and craft with sculpture park and architecture-led experience; comparable operating model (municipal/regional subsidy, exhibitions, learning, café, shop) in southern Denmark.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCQKPcb5uh68n2h74LhKKaoA
• Facebookfacebook.com/arken.museum
• Instagraminstagram.com/arkenmuseum
• TikToktiktok.com/@arkenmuseum
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/arken-museum-of-modern-art

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Arken stores