What Time Does the MAK – Museum of Applied Arts Open?
Except on Mondays, the MAK is open every day from 10:00 to 18:00.
Where Is the MAK Museum Located?
You will find MAK on Vienna’s Ringstrasse at Stubenring 5 in the city center. The U3 metro line (Stubentor) stops almost at the door, and several tram and bus routes serve the area.
How Long Does It Take to Visit, and What Is the Best Time?
Plan 90–120 minutes for the permanent galleries and the MAK Design Lab; add time if you want to explore temporary shows in depth. For fewer crowds, arrive soon after opening on weekdays or make use of the late-opening evening.
History of the MAK Museum
From Imperial Classroom to Design Powerhouse
Founded in the mid-19th century as the Imperial Royal Austrian Museum of Art and Industry, MAK was conceived as a “school in public” where artists, artisans, and emerging industries could study outstanding design. It drew inspiration from London’s South Kensington Museum (today the V&A) and quickly became a hub for elevating everyday objects through craft and innovation.
A Ringstrasse Landmark with a Purpose
Its purpose-built home on the Ringstrasse signaled that applied arts belong at the heart of civic life. The building’s galleries, study rooms, and archives were arranged to encourage comparison across materials—wood, glass, textiles, metal—and to turn the museum into a living resource for makers.
Evolution in the 20th and 21st Centuries
Across the decades, MAK moved beyond static display toward active dialogue between past and present. Today it pairs historic collections—like Wiener Werkstätte furniture and graphics—with contemporary design, digital culture, and sustainability topics, positioning design as a tool for shaping how we live.
What Can You Expect to See Inside the MAK Museum?
Vienna 1900 & Wiener Werkstätte: Discover refined furniture, glass, metalwork, and textiles that defined Viennese modernism. Names like Josef Hoffmann and Koloman Moser appear throughout, alongside elegant everyday objects that brought “good form” into the home.
Klimt’s Stoclet Frieze Cartoons: Large-scale drawings for the celebrated mosaic frieze reveal Gustav Klimt’s design thinking—notes on materials, pattern, and rhythm that later translated into shimmering marble, enamel, and gold.
Asia, Textiles & Decorative Arts: Ceramics, carpets, lacquerware, and prints show how global craft traditions informed European design. The display invites you to trace motifs and techniques across centuries and continents.
Purpose of the MAK Museum Over Time
MAK’s mission has grown from showcasing exemplary objects to asking bigger questions: how can design improve daily life, support sustainability, and foster cultural exchange? Through exhibitions, research, and education, the museum positions applied arts as an engine for social and environmental innovation.
What Should You Know Before Visiting the MAK Museum?
- Accessibility: Step-free access and elevators connect the main galleries; staff can advise on the most convenient routes.
- Photography: Personal, non-flash photography is typically allowed in many areas; special exhibitions may have restrictions.
- Bags & Items: Leave large bags and bulky items in the cloakroom; food and drinks are not permitted in galleries.
Good to Know: Programs, Research, and Beyond
Alongside the main building, MAK nurtures an ecosystem of archives, collaborations, and rotating projects. Keep an eye on the calendar for talks, workshops, and interventions that spotlight emerging designers, revisit overlooked narratives, and open up the collection for fresh perspectives.