Alek Niemiro, who graduated from the Mozarteum's Thomas Bernhard Institute with a degree in directing, has been honoured with the new A4 – Austrian Art Alumni Award for his project “Last Hour of Resistance”. Beginning this year, the award – and a scholarship of €24,000 – will be given to graduates jointly selected by the Ministry for Women, Science and Research and Austrian Arts Universities. We warmly congratulate Alek Niemiro on his success!
On 13 October 2025, six outstanding graduates of Austrian art universities were honoured with the first-ever A4 – Austrian Art Alumni Award. This joint initiative by public art universities and the Federal Ministry for Women, Science and Research (BMFWF) supports young artistic who are transitioning from study into professional practice.
Alek Niemiro, a graduate of the Thomas Bernhard Institute for Acting, Directing and Applied Theatre at the Mozarteum University in Salzburg, was honoured for his directing project Last Hour of Resistance, which deals with social upheaval, collective trauma and the question of individual responsibility in times of turmoil.
The innovative scholarship is a first for Austria: for the first time, six art graduates are receiving a one-year support programme worth €24,000 to realise their own artistic projects at home and abroad. The aim is to facilitate the transition from university education to independent artistic practice and to create sustainable prospects.
At the award ceremony at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, Federal Minister Eva-Maria Holzleitner emphasised the social significance of artistic work: ‘The scholarship strengthens young artists and gives them the opportunity to freely develop their creativity. [...] Art and culture are central pillars of our coexistence and make a significant contribution to an open, democratic society.’
The scholarship recipients were selected by a jury consisting of representatives from the six art universities, the BMFWF and external experts. Janet Ritterman served as an external juror for the Mozarteum University Salzburg, focusing on performing arts. Rector Elisabeth Gutjahr and Christoph Lepschy were also present at the award ceremony.
The winners of the first A4 – Austrian Art Alumni Awards 2025 are:
