Heidelberger Kunstverein, Art museum and voluntary association in downtown Heidelberg, Germany

Heidelberger Kunstverein is a contemporary art association in Heidelberg's old town, housed since 1990 in a building next to the Kurpfälzisches Museum. It has no permanent collection on display; instead it stages temporary exhibitions of contemporary art in its rooms. The association was founded in 1869 and has been led by curator Søren Grammel since 1 April 2022.

Founded on 7 July 1869 on the initiative of the painter Ludwig Horst, the association was the youngest of Baden's art societies; its first painting exhibition opened on 26 August 1869 in two empty rooms of the Protestant school in the Plöck. In 1930 the city took over its collection in exchange for the villa at Sofienstraße 12, its first permanent exhibition space. August Grisebach, chairman from 1930, was ousted in 1933 and reinstated in late 1946.

The association presents contemporary works and hosts talks where artists and visitors engage with each other. Programming connects local talent with international perspectives and creates space for discussion about current art directions.

The venue is easy to reach in the downtown area with regular daytime hours throughout the week and weekends, offering reduced rates for students. Visitors should check ahead as exhibitions change multiple times per year with different themes and works on display.

Until 1930 the association had no exhibition building of its own and moved between temporary venues. That year it traded its collection to the city, which made it municipal, and received in exchange the villa at Sofienstraße 12. The present building beside the Kurpfälzisches Museum dates from 1990.