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Since 1692: 325 Years Academy of Fine Arts Vienna

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As Central Europe’s oldest art university founded in 1692, the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna today presents itself as a field for experiments in contemporary art and architecture, theory and practice, as well as science and research in art.

More than 1,400 students from all over the world are taught by the Academy’s internationally renowned experts in painting, sculpture, photography, video, film, performance art, conceptual art, architecture, stage design, conservation and restoration, natural sciences in art, arts education, art theory and cultural studies.

The Academy of Fine Arts has played a crucial role in the Europe-wide institutionalization of arts-based research with its Phd-in-Practice program. Its endeavors have decisively contributed to the adoption of the Florence Principles on the Doctorate in the Arts by ELIA in December 2016.

Moving Quarters during the Renovation

The anniversary is taken as an occasion to renovate the building erected by Theophil Hansen in 1877 and thus guarantee that the university can also be run in keeping with the times in the future. The plans also include the building of a new study room for the Graphic Collection. Starting in autumn 2017, the Academy’s contemporary exhibition program will be presented in new spaces in the Eschenbachgasse gallery quarter. As part of a cooperative project with Vienna’s Kunsthistorisches Museum, the Academy's world famous Paintings Gallery with its masterpieces by Rubens, Giordano, Titian, and Botticelli, and Hieronymus Bosch’s triptych The Last Judgment will be on display in the Theatermuseum.

Jubilee Program 2017

Academy Album: A guide in 52 miniatures by Austrian Amina Handke

Changing on a weekly basis, a one-minute film will be shown at www.akbild.ac.at . The individual experimental episodes exploring concepts of art, science, and university teaching will unfold a kaleidoskopic portrait of the Academy’s past and present throughout one year.

Subscribe to the bimonthly newsletter to get the videos: Newsletter subscription

Celebration Ceremony: June 21, 2017

The program of the event includes the official opening of the diploma exhibition as well as various musical and performative highlights and artistic activities. Press here to stay posted about the program of the celebration ceremony: 325@akbild.ac.at

Participation in the Research Pavillion in the Context with La Biennale di Venezia - 57th International Art Exhibition: Sept 8 – Oct 15, 2017
Commemorating the past best initiates a reflection of the present and thus a contemplation of the future. The Academy’s PhD in Practice program will organize an exhibition and conference entitled “Hauntopia/What if” in the context of this year’s research pavilion “The Utopia of Access” at the Venice Biennial. Exhibition and conference will explore the idea that haunting might open up a future possibility or work as an exile for our longings at the same time. In the utopia we mingle with the presence of colonialism, with tamed revolutionary moments, suppressed knowledge, and other ghosts. The research pavilion 2017 is initiated by Uniarts Helsinki and realized together with the Norwegian Artistic Research Program and the Swedish Art Universities’ network Konstex in cooperation with the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna and the Zurich University of the Arts.

Press here to obtain further information about the Venice conference and exhibition: 325@akbild.ac.at

Magazine: Jubilee Issue Spring 2017

Designed by Dorothea Brunialti, the special issue of the Academy’s magazine derdiedas bildende looks back at the foundation year 1692 and comprises prospects of the future of art universities, impressions of today’s activities and events, presentations of the individual institutes, and, of course, congratulations.

To order a printed copy of the magazine send your postal address to: info@akbild.ac.at