Every one of the museum's collections is important in its own right but in combination they have an immense impact. The museum presents the medieval altars of Master Bertram and Master Francke, 17th century Dutch paintings and 19th century German paintings with extensive groups of works by Caspar David Friedrich, Philipp Otto Runge, Adolph Menzel and Max Liebermann. Works of the Classical Modernist period include paintings and sculptures by Wilhelm Lehmbruck, Edvard Munch, Emil Nolde, Paul Klee, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Max Beckmann, Lyonel Feininger, George Grosz and Max Ernst. The contemporary art section features alternating exhibitions, which have included Georg Baselitz, Sigmar Polke, Gerhard Richter, Mona Hatoum and Jenny Holzer. The Department of Prints and Drawings comprises more than 120,000 works and is a museum in its own right. The Kunsthalle also runs the 'Museum At Home' initiative where art historians give their expert opinion on paintings (on canvas and wood), drawings and prints for a small fee.

The Schmidts Tivoli building's octagonal auditorium is reminiscent of a circus arena and it has a plush, intimate atmosphere – perfect for musicals, comedy and variety. Schmidts Tivoli specialises in German-language musical revues, which are produced entirely inhouse: from the first to the last note, from the initial idea to the final performance.