Fotografiska. The Photography Museum in Stockholm – or how to built success in art in 5 years

by Ana Maria Bodeanu

Even the creation of the museum is an inspiring story about passion and about achieving success through doing what you love. The museum is a private initiative of two brothers Per and Jan Broman, who were the sons of a photographer and who were practically raised in a photo lab. As a result they both become photographers and after long careers in photography they initiated the Photo Fair in Stockholm and Gothenburg. But what they really dreamt about was a photography museum in Stockholm.

The idea about a museum came up earlier in 2008 when they organized a David LeChapelle exhibition in an old factory. The exhibition attracted more than 15,000 people and media attention and the brothers started thinking seriously about opening a museum of photography. The first step was to rent the space and they started driving around Stockholm looking for the right spot. They spent months looking for the appropriate place but they did not even come close to what they were looking for. One day in the autumn of 2008 they were having a drink at the Strand Hotel bar and overhead somebody say: There won’t be an ABBA museum at Stora Tulhuset. That afternoon, they looked at the property which 18 months later became Fotografiska Museum. But finding the right place was only the beginning: the place needed renovation and therefore financing. Although they were seeking financing the two brothers wanted to remain independent; they wanted to have the power and freedom to implement their dream of creating more than a museum: an international meeting place surrounded by art in the highest form.

Today, Fotografiska is ranked as one of the world’s premier museums of photography, being considered much more than a traditional museum: it is considered a radically new kind of museum including integrated experiences.

Outstanding exhibitions

Annie Leibovitz, Anton Corbijn, Helmut Newton, Steve Schapiro, Motohiko Odani

Excellent restaurant

An impressive cafeteria and a restaurant with great food and coffee and brunches on Sunday. The café on top of the building offers a beautiful view over Stockholm.

Unconventional spaces for conferences
An acclaimed academy that offers courses and workshops for both amateur and experienced photographers
A shop featuring an extensive selection of photographic books
A commercial gallery space for contemporary photography
Hosting various forms of entertainment on its premises, such as artist talks and opening nights, as well as music entertainment and pop-up nightclubs.