What paths lie ahead for artists, researchers and creatives?
How can you shape your artistic and professional future?
Let’s join for a three-day summer school connecting artists,
researchers, designers and creatives from all disciplines. Through workshops and focus sessions, we will explore the many
perspectives that unfold in the creative journey—perspectives of artistic empowerment, professional practice, research, and
project realization, accompanied by experts' input on self-employment, social insurance and taxes.
This is
an opportunity to connect with a vibrant creative community, reflect on your journey, and dive into new possibilities for
your life and work.
Focus Sessions:Focus
Session 1: Taxes and Social InsuranceSmart Coop Austria
Provides an overview of what creatives need to
know about taxes, social insurance, and navigating the legal frameworks of freelance or self-employed work in Austria. This
session aims to clarify key obligations and empower you to manage your professional responsibilities with confidence.
Focus Session 2: Self Employment and EntrepreneurshipKreativwirtschaft Austria – WKO
Introduces
key concepts, basic skills, and first steps in starting a creative business or freelance practice. Join us for ‘Self Employment
and Entrepreneurship’—a foundational session on how to start and sustain your creative practice as a business.
Focus
Session 3: Funding Options for CreativesVienna Business Agency
Explore the diverse funding and support
programs available to creatives in Vienna. This session will guide you through grants, subsidies, and other opportunities
that can help bring your ideas to life and support the sustainable development of your creative projects or business.
Workshops:Perspective I: Perspectives of Professional PracticeAlexandra
Graupner and Angelika Zelisko
Gain insights into self-determined and competent professional practices. This session offers
an overview of possible career paths after graduation, with real-world examples and practical guidance. You’ll receive input
on project management, communication strategies, and navigating the institutional landscape, plus tips on financing, self-employment,
and getting started with confidence.
Perspective II: Realizing Art Projects as Professional PracticeKarl Salzmann
Learn how to turn artistic ideas into tangible projects by exploring the intersection of artistic vision
and professional practice. This session focuses on project planning, funding strategies, and implementation approaches—bridging
creative work with practical frameworks.
Perspective III: Valuing Ideas / Scientific and Artistic ResearchAlexander Damianisch
Explore how to shape and communicate your ideas as the starting point for future research. In
this session, we’ll focus on artistic research as a distinct and powerful approach within academia. You’ll gain insights into
the Austrian research landscape, including funding opportunities like the PEEK programme, and learn how to frame your ideas
in ways that resonate with evaluators and collaborators alike.
Perspective IV: Artistic Empowerment / Creative
ConfidenceWolfgang Fiel
Discover how to navigate new contexts and empower yourself as an artist. This
session explores ways to shape your professional future beyond the traditional art market, focusing on self-determined paths
that resist economic exploitation and support sustainable artistic practice.
Why join?This
summer school is more than a course—it’s a space to reflect, connect, go beyond and grow. Through workshops, inputs, discussions,
and shared experiences, we’ll explore the potential of ideas, self-empowerment, critical thinking, creative action, cooperation
and networking. Together, we’ll address the question: What opportunities for professional practice will be provided and available
in the future?
Whether you’re seeking orientation, inspiration, or a deeper understanding of your strengths, this
program offers a supportive environment to develop ideas and envision your next steps.
Practical Information:
Date: September 16–18, 2025
Program in detail: See program in detail below
Location:
Angewandte Expositur Rustenschacher Allee 2-4, 1020 Vienna
Who Can Join: Artists, designers,
and creatives from all disciplines
Cost: The summer school is free of charge, but we kindly request
continuous attendance throughout the program. A confirmation of attendance will be provided. Registration for individual sessions
is possible depending on availability.
Contact: Department Support Art and Research,
perspectives@uni-ak.ac.atRegistration is closed as the maximum capacity has been reached.
Let’s take a deep dive into the possibilities
that await you as a creative professional. The Department Support Art and Research is looking forward to welcoming you!
Timetable:Tuesday, 16.09.20259:30-10:30 Group
session: Kick-off with breakfast
Registration, Welcome, Overview of the Program
10:30-13:00 Perspective
I: Perspectives of Professional Practice
Alexandra Graupner and Angelika Zelisko
13:00-14:00
Lunch
14:00-15:30 Focus Session 1: Taxes and Social Insurance
Smart Coop Austria
Wednesday,
17.09.20259:30-12:00 Perspective II: Realizing Art Projects as Professional Practice
Karl Salzmann
12:00-13:00 Lunch
13:00-15:30 Perspective Ill: Valuing Ideas
/ Scientific and Artistic Research
Alexander Damianisch
15:30-16:00 Coffee Break
16:00-17:30
Focus Session 2: Self Employment and Entrepreneurship
Kreativwirtschaft Austria
Thursday, 18.09.20259:30-12:00 Perspective IV: Artistic Empowerment/ Creative Confidence
Wolfgang Fiel
12:00-13:00
Lunch
13:00-14:30 Focus Session 3: Funding options and support for Creatives
Wirtschaftsagentur
Wien
14:30-15:00 Coffee Break
15:00-16:30 Group Session: Reflections - Where
Will You Meet Me in 2 Years?
16:30 Apero & Certificates
Organized by the Department Support
Art and Research (Support Kunst und Forschung) 
