With a Little Help from Our Friends

People for each other in the region – aspects of voluntary and committed cooperation

09.05. – 28.06.2026

Ommo Wille

Insights into the photographic estate

09.05. – 28.06.2026

Opening
With a Little Help from Our Friends & Ommo Wille

Friday, September 08.05.2026th, 19 | XNUMX:XNUMX p.m

Opening address
Michael Ewen, Board Member, Museum of Photography Braunschweig eV
Anke Kaphammel, Mayor, City of Braunschweig

Preface
Barbara Hofmann-Johnson, Director, Museum of Photography Braunschweig

On May 8th, we will open the exhibitions " With a Little Help From Our Friends: People for Each Other in the Region – Aspects of Voluntary and Committed Cooperation" and "Ommo Wille: Insights into the Photographic Legacy – Images from the Region in the Post-Reunification Era".

The exhibition " With a Little Help from Our Friends" is under the patronage of Braunschweig's Mayor, Dr. Thorsten Kornblum, and showcases works selected by a jury from a photography competition focusing on social engagement and volunteering in the region. The competition was held in conjunction with the "Day of Lower Saxony," which took place for the first time in Braunschweig from June 12-14, 2026, and is celebrated annually as the "State Festival of Volunteers." The exhibition features works by Darya Boiko, Jessika Dirks, Mara Griem, Norbert Hillwig, Ulf Jasmer, Klaus G. Kohn, Matthias Langer, and Stefan Sobotta.

Concurrently, the Museum of Photography is presenting the photographic estate of the artist Ommo Wille (1959-2024). Ommo Wille, who studied Fine Arts at the Braunschweig University of Art and later taught at the Berlin University of the Arts, explored the former German-German border region in the early 1990s, shortly after the fall of the Berlin Wall, in his extensive project " Zwischenzeit " (Interim). Numerous black-and-white photographs depicting the structural disruptions of border towns, the former Harbke manor, and other subjects were created using a visually striking panoramic camera. A later project in Berlin focused on the former Palace of the Republic.

Exhibition tour with participants

Saturday, April 09.05.2026, 15 | XNUMX p.m.

Barbara Hofmann-Johnson, director of the Museum of Photography Braunschweig, leads a discussion with participating artists and photographers through the exhibitions With a Little Help from Our Friends and Ommo Wille – Insights into the photographic legacy.

International Museum Day

Sunday, May 17, 2026 | 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Under the motto "Museums uniting a divided world," museums worldwide are inviting visitors to International Museum Day. At the Museum of Photography, short guided tours will take place every hour on the hour. The garden will be open with a children's program, a photo station, and a café.

Family management

Friday, September 29.05.2026th, 15 | XNUMX:XNUMX p.m

with Pauline Behrmann, Research Associate, Museum of Photography Braunschweig

Using simple language and focusing on topics relevant to a young audience, Pauline Behrmann, educational staff member at the Museum of Photography, will guide visitors through the exhibitions " With a Little Help from Our Friends" and "Ommo Wille ." Everyone is welcome!

Kids' Photography Workshop

Saturday, May 30, 2026 | 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

with Daphne Schüttkemper, freelance art mediator

Here at the museum, everything revolves around photography – exciting stories and interesting techniques just waiting to be explored. The photography workshop takes you on a journey of discovery through the museum, followed by a creative session. You'll experiment with different materials and discover what makes photography so special.

Please bring: a digital camera or smartphone. Children without a camera can use a museum camera.

for children from 6-10 years
Cost: 10 €

Registration: vermittlung [at] photomuseum.de

Happy Thursday

Thursday, June 4, 2026 | 1-8 pm

Every first Thursday of the month, the current exhibition can be visited free of charge and with extended opening hours until 20 pm. A free guided tour with the museum team also takes place at 18 pm.

Day of Lower Saxony

Friday, June 12, 2026 – Sunday, June 14, 2026 | 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

From June 12th to 14th, the 39th Lower Saxony Day will take place in Braunschweig's city center. Under the motto "Land & Lions", the city will be transformed into a large festival area celebrating volunteer work, culture, and the diversity of the state.

The Museum of Photography is participating with its own exhibition: Under the patronage of Braunschweig's Mayor Dr. Thorsten Kornblum, it will present photographic works on the topic of voluntary work and social engagement from May 9th to June 28th under the title "With a Little Help from Our Friends". These works were selected by a jury as part of a photo competition.

During the holidays, the Museum of Photography has opened its doors with free admission and a special program: Short guided tours through the exhibitions take place on the hour, the garden invites visitors to linger with a bar when the weather is good, and a photo station encourages visitors to dress up and stage scenes in front of the camera.

Furthermore, the Museum of Photography will be represented at the Braunschweig Mile on Cathedral Square, along with other cultural organizations from the city, at the stand of the Braunschweig Tourism Working Group. There, another photo station will be set up: an oversized twin-lens Rolleiflex camera with a peephole, encouraging visitors to have fun taking photos and commemorating the once world-famous Braunschweig company.

Braunschweig Museum Night

Saturday, May 30, 2026 | 19 a.m. - 1 p.m.

As one of 10 institutions, we are opening our doors for Braunschweig's Museum Night. Hourly short tours will introduce the current exhibitions "Ommo Wille: Insights into the Photographic Legacy" and " With a Little Help from Our Friends ." The museum garden will be open with a bar and music, a photo station with a replica oversized Rolleiflex camera featuring a peephole will offer opportunities for fun photos, and a photo quiz invites visitors on a discovery tour through the museum.

Tickets for the Museum Night can now be purchased from us (regular: €9 / reduced: €7).

19-23 pm: Short guided tours on the hour
7pm-midnight: Music and bar in the garden
7 PM - Midnight: Rolleiflex photo station
7 PM - Midnight: Photo Quiz

Closing event with exhibition tour

Sunday, March 15, 2026 | 16 noon

To conclude the exhibitions " With a Little Help from Our Friends" and "Ommo Wille: Insights into the Photographic Estate," museum director Barbara Hofmann-Johnson will present the exhibited works in a guided tour, in conversation with those involved.