Ausstellungsraum Klingental, Artist-run exhibition space in Basel, Switzerland

Ausstellungsraum Klingental is an artist-run exhibition space housed on the ground floor of the former Klingental monastery church in Basel, consecrated in 1293. The architects Herzog & de Meuron built the exhibition rooms into this space in 1981. The programme consists of project submissions rather than shows chosen by a fixed curator.

The space opened in 1974 on the Kasernenareal through an artists' initiative, in response to the late-1960s crisis of traditional museum practice and debates on promoting young artists. It has since been run continuously by changing coalitions of artists and mediators. In 1981 the architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron built the exhibition space into the ground floor of the monastery church consecrated in 1293.

The name Klingental comes from the former monastery whose ground-floor church hall the space occupies. Since 1974 it has been run by changing coalitions of artists, art historians and art mediators, who curate exhibitions and projects on their own responsibility. The programme is chosen from project submissions rather than by a fixed curator, and the space takes part in city-wide events such as the Museumsnacht and the Regionale.

Entry is free and the venue follows set opening hours on specific days of the week. The location near Rheingasse tram stop makes it easy to reach by public transport.

This is one of Switzerland's longest continuously operating artist spaces, having maintained its experimental spirit since its founding. The longevity allows it to provide emerging artists with genuine exhibition opportunities.