MFA Body, Theory and Poetics of the Performative / Postgraduate Weissenhof programme of Fine Arts

The Stuttgart State Academy of Art and Design invites students to apply for admission to its MFA programme Body, Theory and Poetics of the Performative as well as for its postgraduate Weissenhof programme of Fine Arts (Meisterschüler).

The two-year MFA programme Body, Theory and Poetics of the Performative is dedicated to all people who are interested in the performative—artists, curators, scenographers, scientists… We welcome heterogeneous backgrounds and artistic approaches, as they enrich our inclusive understanding of performance. The MFA is led by Prof. Dr. Cristina Gómez Barrio and Prof. Wolfgang Mayer of the artist collective discoteca flaming star, as well as by the director and professor of Aesthetics and Art Education Prof. Dr. Felix Ensslin. At the centre of the program is the body: it is understood as a site of action, verbalization and resistance. The artistic training in the MFA includes jointly developed artistic formats, performances, books, graphic representations, seminars, exhibitions and performances. Furthermore, renowned experts teach courses on audio, video, movement, light and stage, articulation and writing, so that students can further develop their artistic tools. Students have exclusive access to the well-equipped rehearsal stage of a historic theatre (in the winter term) as well as a spacious movement room and an audio and video lab (year round). More info here.

The three-semester postgraduate Weissenhof programme of Fine Arts is aimed at highly talented artists holding a master’s degree or an equivalent degree with minimum of four years of study. We are inviting artists who would like to implement a concrete project within the study programme and who earned their artistic degree (e.g. MFA) not more than three years ago. The programme allows students to work on their project supervised by Academy professors and other mentors from the arts and academics field. Small group lectures, exhibition tours and portfolio consultations provide new impetus for the student’s own project work, contribute to their professionalization and enables networking in the academic and artistic worlds. Students will also have the opportunity to teach a course at the Academy. The program culminates in the group exhibition with a prestigious publication of the cohort and its work. More info here.

Please note: German language skills at B2 level are required for the enrollment into both programmes. Additional information about the conditions of admission, application procedure and dates can be found on our website.

All application materials must be uploaded between May 25 and the June 10, 2021 12pm (CET) cut-off deadline. Please register and apply here (possible from the start of application deadline) for the appropriate study programme. Applications which have not been received by 12pm (CET) on June 10 cannot be considered.

Start of the programmes: October 2021.

For questions about the admission process, please contact the Office of Student Affairs. For questions about the programmes, please contact Sabine Palm.

The Stuttgart State Academy of Art and Design (ABK Stuttgart) provides excellent study and research opportunities to around 900 students and brings together a diverse range of creative practices under one roof. In addition to students’ individual artistic development, ABK promotes transdisciplinarity, diversity and cultural openmindedness. ABK has been nurturing the artistic and creative ambitions of its students and staff for over 250 years. The Academy is situated next to the Weissenhofsiedlung, world famous for its Bauhaus buildings.