The New European Bauhaus initiative fosters systemic approaches to pressing societal challenges by creating new networks among relevant stakeholders, and building bridges between arts, culture, technology and science. The initiative seeks to link questions of sustainability, inclusiveness, economy and aesthetics.

Higher Education in Art and Design has an important and essential role to play in the transformative integration and development of diverse fields of study and practice. The societal challenges of climate change, social cohesion, democratic resilience and digital transformation must be addressed in innovative educational programmes. And the perspectives of students should be taken into account from the beginning. Students are the agents of this transformative integration – they will drive new approaches, provide critical inspection and render the inclusive, affordable and sustainable future tangible.

ELIA and the Berlin University of the Arts are setting the stage for our students to make their voices heard. We are initiating a pan-European, interdisciplinary dialogue about the role and responsibilities of Higher Education in Art and Design and the field’s contribution to envisioned systemic change.

The first episode of Agents of Transformation in Art and Design was held on 28 April and gathered in a lively conversation and reflection more than 30 students from seven institutions: Berlin University of the Arts, Academy of Fine Arts in Prague, Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti, School of the Arts of the University of Évora, St. Joost School of Art & Design, Willem de Kooning Academy and Zurich University of the Arts.

The second episode will be held on Friday 28 May at 14:00 – 15:00 CEST, bringing together arts students and representatives of European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, initiator of the New European Bauhaus to discuss questions regarding the sustainability, inclusivity, and aesthetics. The students will present their visions for a sustainable, inclusive, and aesthetic future and set the agenda for their input to the New European Bauhaus initiative.

Students from ELIA member institutions are kindly invited to join the second conversation and add their input on a topic of sustainable and inclusive future in a direct exchange with the Joint Research Centre.

The second conversation will be open to maximum 100 participants. The registrations will be handled on a first come, first served basis.

REGISTER HERE