The Kunsthaus Bregenz began to collect contemporary Austrian art in 1991. The collection begins in the 80s with works by that younger generation of artists which broke away from the determining traditions of postwar Austrian art in favour of a more international orientation (for example Bohatsch, Brandl, Kogler, Kopf, F. Pichler, Rockenschaub, Scheibl, Schmalix, Ströhle, Türtscher, West, Wurm, Zobernig, among others). Acquisitions of groups of works by the most important artists set focal points.

The collection of contemporary Austrian art concentrates on painting, sculpture, object- and conceptual art. Video art, mixed media and photography are also taken into consideration. The goal of the collection is the continuous documentation of contemporary Austrian art. Until the collection achieves museum scale, quality, and unity (in about ten years), it will be regularly exhibited in parts, in its own various aspects as well as in relation to the exhibition program.