University of Applied Arts Vienna

University of Applied Arts Vienna. The Universität für angewandte Kunst Wien, commonly known as the Angewandte, is a prominent public art university located in Vienna, Austria. Founded in 1867 as the k.k. Kunstgewerbeschule, it has evolved into a leading institution for fine arts, design, and architecture, emphasizing interdisciplinary practice and theoretical discourse. The university is renowned for its innovative approach, blending traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology under the leadership of figures like its long-time rector, Gerald Bast.

History

The institution was established in 1867 by Rudolf von Eitelberger, the first professor of art history at the University of Vienna, with the support of Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria. Initially named the k.k. Kunstgewerbeschule, it was modeled after the South Kensington Museum in London and aimed to elevate the standards of Austrian applied arts. In its early decades, it became a center for the Wiener Werkstätte movement, with influential teachers like Josef Hoffmann, Koloman Moser, and Oskar Kokoschka shaping its direction. The school was heavily involved in the artistic revolutions of early 20th-century Vienna, contributing significantly to Jugendstil and modernism. After periods of reorganization, including a merger with the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna in 1941, it regained independence and was granted full university status in 1970, adopting its current name.

Organization and structure

The university is organized into several institutes and departments, led by a rectorate with Gerald Bast serving as rector for many years until 2023. Key academic units include the Institute of Architecture, the Institute of Fine Arts and Media Art, the Institute of Design, and the Institute of Art Sciences and Art Education. Governance involves a senate and a university council, with the institution being a member of the European University Association. It maintains close collaborative ties with other major cultural institutions in Vienna, such as the MAK and the Kunsthistorisches Museum, and participates in international networks like the Cumulus Association. The administrative structure supports numerous specialized workshops and labs, from traditional printmaking to digital fabrication.

Academic profile

The Angewandte offers a range of diploma, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs across its core disciplines. Its educational philosophy, championed by Gerald Bast, stresses the "Art of Research" and transdisciplinary projects, often involving collaborations with institutions like the Technical University of Vienna and the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna. The curriculum spans fields such as transmedia art, social design, conservation science, and digital art, with a strong focus on sustainability and critical theory. The university hosts significant events like the annual Vienna Art Week and publishes the journal *Springerin*. It also manages the Angewandte Festival and the Angewandte Innovation Lab, fostering direct engagement with the cultural and creative industries of Austria and beyond.

Campus and architecture

The main university building is located on Oskar Kokoschka Platz in the Innere Stadt district, a structure originally built for the Austrian Museum of Applied Arts and later expanded. A central architectural feature is the iconic "cloud" structure, a suspended installation by artist Ernst Caramelle in the main courtyard. The campus includes the former Semper Depot near the Schwedenplatz, which houses studios and the Angewandte Performance Lab. Additional facilities are situated in the Vienna Arsenal complex and at the Postsparkasse building by Otto Wagner. The university's architecture reflects its history, with modern interventions by architects like Zaha Hadid, who designed the Library and Learning Center at the nearby WU Wien.

Notable people

The university's faculty and alumni include many pivotal figures in modern art and design. Renowned artists who taught here include Friedensreich Hundertwasser, Maria Lassnig, and Peter Weibel. Influential architects and designers such as Hans Hollein, Greg Lynn, and Hella Jongerius have been associated with the institution. Notable alumni span diverse fields: fine artists like Valie Export and Franz West, fashion designers such as Raf Simons and Hussein Chalayan, and architects including Coop Himmelb(l)au and Elke Delugan-Meissl. Other distinguished figures are media theorist Vilém Flusser, stage designer Anna Viebrock, and curator Hans Ulrich Obrist, underscoring the university's broad impact on global contemporary culture.

Category:Universities in Vienna Category:Art schools in Austria Category:Educational institutions established in 1867