Salzburg International Summer Academy of Fine Arts

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Salzburg International Summer Academy of Fine Arts

Programme of Events

20 July–28 August 2026

Common Ground

The Summer Academy sees itself as a place of common ground and solidarity – the antithesis of the conflicts in the world. These qualities are achieved through a consciously shaped collective culture in both artistic practice and personal encounters. In order to comply with this basic principle, we once again offer a wide range of opportunities for reflection, discussion and exchange of ideas at various locations within the town.

A highlight of this year’s programme is the panel discussion entitled Art in Times of War and Conflict. We have invited artists Eythar Gubara, Neda Saeedi and Huda Takriti, and art historian Noit Banai to take part. Co-designed and presented by Louisa Elderton.

In collaboration with the Salzburg Kunstverein, four lecture performances will be given by Harun Morrison, Filipka Rutkowska, Urok Shirhan and Gernot Wieland, dealing with the topics of love, class, money and identity.

In a further lecture performance, in collaboration with the Salzburg Museum of Modern Art, Stephie Morawetz and Iris Hummer will trace the history of Austrian jewellery art.

The sound performance Sleep / Health by Salzburger Heinz Riegler, who lives in Australia, will have its Salzburg première: an ensemble exploring dreamlike states, quiescence, sleep, and the fragile need to feel better.

Finally, Greg Fox, featured by Curtis Talwst Santiago, will give a sound performance in the Stadtgalerie Zwergelgartenpavilion, activating the exhibition there.

Exhibitions

In Two Things Can Be True in Light, in the Stadtgalerie Zwergelgartenpavilion, Curtis Talwst Santiago transforms the pavilion into a non-denominational chapel of music and dance culture.

In Under Other Suns, in the kura-t kunstraum traklhaus, Christian Kosmas Mayer and Pablo Martínez-Zárate demonstrate how plants can be living carriers of memory and history.

Mafalda Rakoš is represented with a solo presentation in the Fotohof, entitled It’s Yours, it’s Mine, in which the portrait serves as the starting-point for conveying the subject’s thoughts and feelings.

Sunset Kino

The long-standing collaboration with the Salzburg Kunstverein continues with two film screenings: one each by Eythar Gubara and Peter Miller.

Open Studios

Teaching artists and their students invite visitors to tours, film presentations, performances and discussions – a special opportunity to visit the Fortress (31 July / 14 and 28 August) and the Untersberg quarry (8 August), and to experience the unique atmosphere of the course locations.

Music Sets

On three Fridays, the Zwergelgartenpavilion will once again be the centre of contemporary club culture. Besides the internationally renowned DJs Chadee (Munich), Dj Sprudel (Amore AG, Vienna), Liser (Salzburg, London / Hanoi Community Radio) and MAF (Bruk Records, Berlin / Halfmoon BK, New York / Refuge Worldwide, Berlin), two spots have been advertised, in collaboration with the Salzburg Club Commission, in order to incorporate the local scene.

General Information

All our events are open to the public and free to attend. Unless otherwise stated, they are held in English.

Further information and details of venues and opening times can be found at:
https://summeracademy.at/en/events/

Salzburg International Summer Academy of Fine Arts

20 July–29 August 2026

The International Summer Academy of Fine Arts in Hohensalzburg Fortress, founded in 1953 by the renowned Austria artist Oskar Kokoschka (1886–1980) as a “School of Seeing,” is the oldest of its kind in Europe.

There are currently 21 courses on offer at the two permanent venues – Hohensalzburg Fortress and the Untersberg Quarry in Fürstenbrunn – attended by more than 300 participants from around 50 countries, making the Academy an international place for a lively exchange of creative and artistic ideas.

The Following Teachers Are Invited

Mojé Assefjah (painting), Mirela Baciak / Denis Maksimov (lecture performance), Biennale Urbana (architecture / urbanism), Walter Bruno Brix* (free sewing / stitching), Rossen Daskalov* (printmaking), Louisa Elderton* (art critique / writing), Julie Hayward* (sculpture / object / installation), Benjamin Hirte (sculpture), Thalia Hoffman / Manar Zuabi* (food art / performance / mixed media), Christian Macketanz* (painting), Pablo Martínez-Zárate* (film / video / sound / installation / interactive media), Christian Kosmas Mayer* (sculpture / installation / mixed media), Peter Miller (analogue film), Stephie Morawetz (art jewellery / performance), Taiwo Jacob Ojudun / Uche Emmanuel Enechukwu (performance / dance / theatre / mixed media), Elizabeth Pich* (comic / drawing), Mafalda Rakoš (photography), Heinz Riegler (sound / installation / video / mixed media), Curtis Talwst Santiago* (painting / sound), Christian Schwarzwald (drawing), Hannah Tilson / Otis Blease* (silk-screen printing).

*These teachers have returned.

As of 16 July 2026, we have accepted a total of 333 students in 21 courses, including 133 places for scholarship holders. To date, there have been 319 regular registrations for Summer Academy courses and 841 scholarship applications.

Sustainability

In summer 2025, the Summer Academy was re-certified for the third time and has thus held the Austrian Eco-label for extracurricular educational institutions since 2013.

Patrons

Province of Salzburg, Town of Salzburg, Federal Ministry for Housing, Arts, Culture, Media and Sport.

Co-operation Partners

Fotohof, Hohensalzburg Fortress, kura-t kunstraum traklhaus, Marmor Kiefer, Museum der Moderne Salzburg, Salzburg Club Commission, Salzburger Kunstverein and Stadtgalerien Salzburg.