� Museum Folkwang: One of the Ruhr area's major art collections, mainly from the 19th and 20th centuries. Major parts of the museum have recently been rebuilt and expanded according to plans by David Chipperfield & Co. The Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach Foundation is the sole funder of the �55 million project which was completed in early 2010. After its re-opening, it also hosts the collection of the Deutsches Plakat Museum 000 exhibits).?(more than 340
� Aalto Theatre: Opened in 1988 (the plans dating back to 1959), the asymmetric building with its deep indigo interior is home to the acclaimed Essen Opera and Ballet.
� Saalbau: Home of the Essen Philharmonic Orchestra, completely renovated in 2003/2004. Critics have repeatedly voted the Essen Philharmonic as Germany's Orchestra of the Year.
� Colosseum Theater: Situated in a former Krupp factory building at the fringe of the central pedestrian precinct, the Collosseum Theatre has been home to several musical theatre productions since 1996.
� Zeche Carl, a former coal mine now a Cultural Centre and venue for Rock concerts and home of Offener Kanal Essen.
Essen was the European Capital of Culture on behalf of the whole Ruhr area
