One of the most significant things happening in Vienna's art world this year is the opening of ALBERTINA Modern, a brand-new museum for contemporary Austrian and international art. It will finally provide an appropriate home for Albertina's Essl collection, which includes works by Andy Warhol, Cindy Sherman, Gottfried Helnwein, Gerhard Richter, and many more.

The new museum is housed inside the historic "Künstlerverein" building in the inner city. Walk 10 minutes south from the State Opera and you'll find the neo-classical palace on Karlsplatz square. The collection of ALBERTINA Modern encompasses over 60,000 works by 5,000 artists and gets to be displayed on an incredible 2500 m2 (27,000 ft2) exhibition space. The old Künstlerverein is a magnificent backdrop for the museum, thanks to the extensive renovations that went on in recent years. Built in 1865, it's an iconic landmark in Vienna's inner city.

The ALBERTINA Modern opened its doors with a special exhibit: THE BEGINNING (Art in Austria, 1945–1980), which presents Austrian art from the post-war years that shaped the international contemporary scene. Artists like Marie Lassnig, Max Weiler, Hermann Nitsch, and Friedensreich Hundertwasser inaugurate Vienna's new meeting place for contemporary art and set the tone for star-studded exhibits to come.

Combining the ALBERTINA Modern with its original sister museum behind the State Opera is the perfect way to experience acclaimed Austrian and international art across several centuries!