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 conversation of Agents of Transformation in Art and Design was held on 28 April 2021 and facilitated a lively conversation and reflections from 35
students, from seven institutions: Berlin University of the Arts, Academy of Fine Arts in Prague, Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti (Milan), School of the Arts of the University of Évora, St. Joost School of Art & Design (Breda), Willem
de Kooning Academy (Rotterdam) and Zurich University of the Arts. The students shared their visions, expectations and critique of the New European Bauhaus and the role that art, design and higher education should play in this initiative.
The second conversation on 28 May 2021 brought together arts students and representatives of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre
(JRC), in charge of running the New European Bauhaus. The students presented their visions for a sustainable, inclusive, and aesthetic future and set the agenda for their input to the New European Bauhaus initiative.
The third conversation of Agents of Transformation was held on Tuesday 6 July 2021 when students presented and discussed their ideas in direct conversation with European Commissioner for Innovation,
Research, Culture, Education, and Youth Mariya Gabriel.
Watch below the recording from the session.
Agents of Transformation in Art and Design: Third Conversation from ELIA on Vimeo.
