The Stadtgalerie Kiel was founded in 1988 and presents exhibitions on international art from the Baltic Sea region, on supra-regional and regional contemporary art in thematic contexts.

In addition, the Heinrich Ehmsen Foundation offers in a permanent exhibition an overview of the painting and graphic work of the Kiel-born expressionist artist Heinrich Ehmsen (1886 - 1964).

Every two years, the Gottfried Brockmann Prize is also awarded here, an award for young artists from Kiel that is combined with an exhibition and a catalogue.

The Stadtgalerie Kiel was awarded the "Certified Museum" seal of approval in December 2016.