Public Art and New Artistic Strategies

Field of study: Public Art and New Artistic Strategies
Degree programme: Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Public Art and New Artistic Strategies
Degree: Master's degree
Standard period of study: 4 Semester(s)
Language of instruction: English
Accreditation: Akkreditierungsrat (German Accreditation Council)
Application deadline: May 15th for winter semester intake
Website: https://www.uni-weimar.de/en/architecture/degree-programs/public-art-and-new-artistic-strategies-mfa/

Program description:
The Master of Fine Arts in Public Art and New Artistic Strategies at Bauhaus-Universität Weimar offers a comprehensive advanced education in contemporary practices of public art and innovative artistic processes. This program is designed for students who wish to engage critically and practically with the evolving landscape of public space and artistic interventions. Students will explore a broad spectrum of artistic methods, including installation, performance, new media, and participatory projects, with a focus on societal engagement, cultural context, and interdisciplinary approaches. The curriculum emphasizes the development of individual artistic strategies aligned with current discourses in art, architecture, and urban design.
Throughout the program, students work closely with experienced faculty and visiting artists to conceptualize, plan, and implement projects that challenge traditional notions of art in public realms. The program also emphasizes theoretical reflection and contextual analysis, encouraging students to examine the social, political, and cultural implications of their work. Practical components include studio-based workshops, collaborative projects, and field research in diverse public environments. Students are encouraged to develop a unique artistic voice while engaging with societal questions such as identity, participation, sustainability, and digital transformation.
The program prepares graduates for careers in public art commissioning, curatorial work, arts administration, research, and teaching. It aims to foster innovative approaches that contribute to urban development and improve public spaces through artistic interventions. The international orientation of the program allows students to network with a global community of artists, curators, and scholars. The Master’s degree provides a solid foundation for those aspiring to influence contemporary artistic practice and public discourse through exemplary projects and scholarly inquiry.

Educational organisation

Courses are offered as seminars, workshops, specialised courses, and public art projects, the latter mostly in cooperation with an institution or a municipality. (The concept of the programme attempts to utilise and unlock the potential available in the immediate environment as well as in the region.) Every semester, students undertake one main public art project and the associated scientific module, as well as compulsory and optional modules (specialist course, workshop). An important adjunct is the "Monday Night Lectures" in collaboration with the ACC Gallery Weimar. German participants spend the third semester abroad at a partner university.

Study abroad unit(s)

Close cooperation with seven international partner schools
German participants spend the third semester at one of our partner schools to improve their international competence. The courses and grades will be accepted on the basis of the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).

Forms of assessment

The MFA is a consecutive Master's degree programme in art. The course is a four-semester programme, including one semester for the thesis project. The programme is modularly structured and has an educational content of 89 (credit hours), which corresponds to a total of 120 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System). The examination in the fourth semester is composed of the thesis presentation of a work of art in public space, as well as a written thesis paper and an oral presentation. For admittance to the Master's examination, the following achievements must be documented: three public art projects, three scientific modules (written paper and oral presentation), and three "Fachmodule" (alternatively, three workshops or one specialised course). The Master's examination represents 30 credits. The quality of the work will be evaluated on a scale from 1 = very good to 5 = insufficient, respectively.
For further details, see our website:
http://www.uni-weimar.de/mfa

Course objectives

The goals of the course are to prepare participants to deal with the particular situation of art in association with and in the public realm and to enable effective artistic interventions in public space.

Language requirements

A very good knowledge of English is necessary for the MFA programme.
Applicants who are not native speakers must document their proficiency in the English language through: Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English level C or TOEFL computer-based 213, paper-based 550 or Internet-based 79-80 points or IELTS Band 6.0 or other comparable certificates. This also applies for German-speaking candidates. Exceptions are possible in the case of successful completion of an English-language degree programme in the past.
All applicants (with the exception of German native speakers) acquire proof of a basic knowledge of German at level A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages through Goethe Institute Certificate Start Deutsch I or comparable certificates.

Academic requirements

To be admitted to the MFA course of study, the main requirement is completion of either a first art college or academy degree with a minimum of eight semesters or a degree determined to be equivalent by the examining committee. The final selection of students is based on documentation of the art work in combination with the aptitude test and, if necessary, an interview. (Please see our website: http://www.uni-weimar.de/mfa/)

Enrolment fees

Approx. 160 EUR per semester. This is a contribution to student services and the student council. It further includes free regional transport, student discounts for meals at the university cafeteria, and theatre and museum tickets as well as many other activities. The additional fee for the student ID ("Thoska") is 20 EUR (one-time only fee).

Costs of living

In Weimar, living expenses tend to be lower than in larger German cities. We recommend that students budget at least 700 EUR per month.

Job opportunities

The university provides job opportunities for academic assistants. We recommend that students plan their finances prior to their studies and not rely on additional earnings.

Funding opportunities within the university

• University Scholarship Programme for International Students
• Scholarship Programme of the Association for Sponsorship of Students of Bauhaus-Universität Weimar

Arrival support

International Office
E-mail: international-office@uni-weimar.de
Phone 1: +49 (0) 36 43-58 23 63
Phone 2: +49 (0) 36 43-58 23 73
Fax: +49 (0) 36 43-58 23 75
See: http://www.uni-weimar.de/en/university/international/
Address for visitors:
Campus.Office
Geschwister-Scholl-Straße 15
99423 Weimar
Germany

Weimar International Network (WIN)
Information, services, and buddy programme for international students prior to arrival
See: http://www.uni-weimar.de/projekte/win/

Services and support for international students

Academic support and counselling office:
Jirka Reichmann
Programme coordinator
E-mail: jirka.reichmann@uni-weimar.de
Phone: +49 (0) 36 43-58 33 92
Fax: +49 (0)36 43-58 1433 92

International Office
E-mail: international-office@uni-weimar.de
Phone 1: +49 (0) 36 43-58 23 63
Phone 2: +49 (0) 36 43-58 23 73
Fax: +49 (0) 36 43-58 23 75
See: http://www.uni-weimar.de/international
Address for visitors:
Campus.Office
Geschwister-Scholl-Straße 15
99423 Weimar
Germany

Weimar International Network (WIN)
See: http://www.uni-weimar.de/win
WIN is an online platform of services for international students in Weimar. It offers useful information and events, fosters contact between international and German students, and provides orientation for newcomers to Bauhaus-Universität Weimar.
WIN offers helpful advice, links, and contact information. You can also register to participate in cultural exchange programmes and subscribe to the monthly newsletter "curious@bout Weimar." The calendar contains information about upcoming international events in Weimar and the surrounding region.
WIN is a project of the International Office of Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, coordinated in cooperation with student services Thüringen and the student initiative Bauhaus Internationals.

Accommodation

The "Studentenwerk Thüringen" (student services Thuringia) administers approx. 1,100 apartments in Weimar. Monthly rates vary from 105-280 EUR. The university itself does not provide accommodation.

E-mail: wef@stw-thueringen.de
Phone: +49 (0)3 61-7 37 18 21
Visiting address: Weimar, Marienstraße 15 a
Website: http://www.stw-thueringen.de
Application: https://tl1host.de/SWJ/?lang_id=2

Typically, up to five students share living quarters. Students have their own bedrooms and share a kitchen and a bathroom. Most rooms are furnished (bed, desk, chair, cupboard, shelf), but kitchenware and appliances are not included. Mentors for international students provide assistance in settling in during the first couple of days and also organise events.

Students advertise private and shared flats on the university website ("Pinnwand"): http://www.uni-weimar.de.