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) 
