Founded in 1847 by citizens of Wiesbaden as the "Society of Friends of Fine Arts" in the Duchy of Nassau, the Nassauischer Kunstverein has been one of the art and cultural institutions of the Hessian state capital for more than 160 years. Its committed and consistent makers show and communicate exciting contemporary art and offer young, not yet established artists and cultural workers a field for experimentation and often also a first stepping stone to a professional career.

One focus of the exhibition activities is the promotion of young experimental art. The exhibitions are curated by a team of twelve board members and occasionally additional guest curators in a curatorial model that is unique among German art associations. In cooperation with both the NKV team and the guest curators, young artists are offered the infrastructure for their first curatorial practice. With the "Follow Fluxus" scholarship, artists whose work draws on the ideas of the international Fluxus art movement are supported at a high level.

In addition to the exhibitions, the organizers offer guided tours, discussions and interdisciplinary events such as theater, film and children's programmes, sometimes in cooperation with other institutions. In addition, art trips are offered to important art exhibitions in Germany and abroad, which are open to both members and guests.

In 2019, the Nassauischer Kunstverein Wiesbaden was nominated for the ADKV Prize for Art Associations for the fifth time. It has thus once again received nationwide recognition for its exhibition and education program.