The sum of the individual parts. Vienna as an Art Centre – Synergies and Potentials

Historically, artistic dynamics have repeatedly condensed in different cities – for example in Paris and New York or in Cologne and Berlin. The respective conjunctures of these and other art centres have been shaped by geopolitical factors, local institutional traditions, funding opportunities, housing conditions, and international networks. In detail, these success factors of the local art fields are not easy to identify, nor are the synergies that result from their interaction.

Vienna has several significant locational advantages – not least as a substantial museum city, with two internationally renowned art universities, a rich off-space scene and many well-known galleries. Nevertheless, the impression arises that Vienna is not yet fully exploiting its strengths as an art location. What potentials and synergies are at work in Vienna – and which are not (yet)? 

The sum of the individual parts is dedicated to these questions in conversation with experts of the art field Kader Attia, Yilmaz Dziewior, Isabelle Graw, Fatima Hellberg, Stella Rollig and Georg Schöllhammer. In doing so, international comparative perspectives are opened, analytical criteria are developed and strategic considerations are also made to be able to further develop the potential of Vienna as an art location.

Welcome:

Johan Hartle, Rector of the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna
Marion Morales Albiñana-Rosner, Member of the Management Board of UniCredit Bank Austria

Participants in the panel:

Kader Attia, artist and curator, Berlin/Paris
Yilmaz Dziewior, Director Museum Ludwig Cologne
Isabelle Graw, art critic and professor, Städelschule Frankfurt am Main
Fatima Hellberg, Director mumok – Museum moderner Kunst Stiftung Ludwig Wien
Stella Rollig, Director Belvedere Vienna
Georg Schöllhammer, Curator and Author, Vienna

Moderation:

Ingeborg Erhart, Vice-Rector for Art and Teaching at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, and 
Johan Hartle, Rector of the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna

The sum of the individual parts refers to the overall project of the same name, which is being implemented in cooperation with UniCredit Bank Austria. As part of the project, eight scholarships of 18,000 euros each were awarded for the academic year 2026/27 to students of the academy who are in the final phase of their studies and are preparing for their diploma or master's degree (The Sum). In addition, a competition was announced for the realization of a temporary sculpture in the public space around the Academy building (The Parts). The competition is aimed at graduates of the Academy; the realization of the selected sculpture is scheduled for 2027.