Urbane Künste Ruhr is a polymorphous decentralized institution for contemporary art in the Ruhr region. It works together in co-operation with local and international partners to initiate projects in public spaces, exhibitions, residency programmes and events.

Along with the Ruhrtriennale, Tanzlandschaft Ruhr and ChorWerk Ruhr, Urbane Künste Ruhr is part of Kultur Ruhr GmbH, whose proprietors are the State of North Rhine-Westphalia and the Regional Association Ruhr and whose headquarters is located in Bochum.