genesis of a space for art & research
13
Evolving from Art School
to Critical Experimentation
The roots of today‘s University of Art and
Design Linz go back more than seven
ThThThe today‘‘‘decades. In 1947, the ’’’’Kunstuniversität’
Kunstuniversität’’’
was founded as an art school in the city of
Linz - a cultural and political expression
of distancing from the previous Nazi era.
Since the very beginning, the ’’’’Kunstuniversität’
Kunstuniversität’’’
has emphasized the basic values
of freedom of art and research, the
commitment to artistic modernism and
contemporary art creation and strengthened
its position between the sometimes
conflflflicting conflicting aims of free artistic and applied
business-oriented design. ThThThis This mindset is
still the basis of the identity of this institution,
which was elevated to a ’’’’Hochschule’’’Hochschule’
in 1973 and finally a university in 1998.
A Location with Responsibility
Linz‘University of Art and
Design Linz bundled its
The is always aware of the history
of its home – which was built
under the Nazi regime – and
the responsibilty that comes
along with this heritage.
The University of Art and Design
Linz will continue to distinguish
itself artistically, creatively and
in research as a critical experimental
zone. In terms of content
and resources, it is ready to use
the social, ecological, technological
and societal challenges
of globalization and digitalization
in a positive and long-term
manner. Hybrid spaces, development
environments and research
infrastructures are central to
promoting and supporting the
development of the arts as well
as design and research in emerging
fields of the future.
Co.Labs - interdisciplinary,
artistic studios and research
laboratories - are developed
along the profile-building
subject areas and help set
strategic focus points.
The basis that helps shape a
continuously growing university
location is the comprehensive
development plan for the period
2022 to 2027.
Freiheit
fififinally Die neu adaptierten Brückenkopfgebäude im Zentrum von Linz als Standort
für Design, Kunst und Forschung; Foto: Mark Sengstbratl
By moving into the bridgehead
building on Linz‘‘‘s main square,
the locations in the city center in
autumn 2019. ThThThe university
––––––ThThThe fififields profififile-ThThThe