Elective Studies in art and sustainability

Sustainability is not only an ethical imperative – it is also increasingly becoming a quality feature in the cultural sector. Funding agencies, event organisers, institutions and audiences are increasingly demanding ecological and social responsibility. Those who think artistically can develop new narratives, aesthetics and formats in this area. 

This supplementary course offers: 

• Access to current discourses on sustainability, climate justice and cultural responsibility 
• Concrete methods and practical examples for sustainable artistic work – from resource-efficient production and green event management to critical reflection on role models in the cultural sector and artistic formats
• Networking and interdisciplinary exchange with experts from the fields of art, science, education, environmental management and cultural policy

The aim of the supplementary course is to promote awareness of the interactions between art, society and the environment – and to open up creative scope for action. The focus is on the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as concrete strategies for artistic action in the context of socio-ecological transformation. 

Students should: 

• Understand the SDGs and their relevance to art, music and cultural institutions 
• Explore and test sustainability as an artistic strategy 
• Develop their own projects that integrate ecological, social and cultural sustainability 
• Learn about approaches to sustainable teaching, education and curatorial practice
• Develop the skills to actively contribute to the transformation of society

By participating in the supplementary course...

• students sharpen their profile for a professional future in the cultural sector, where sustainability is increasingly in demand
• they develop future skills such as systems thinking, transformation design and collaborative work
• they learn to combine their artistic practice with social concerns and anchor it sustainably

Basic module
The following introductory courses must be completed from the Picht area:

• VO Art & Sustainability (2 SWS/2 ECTS-AP)
• PT Practice Art & Sustainability (2 SWS/2 ECTS-AP)

Freely selectable: In addition, recommended courses from the Mozarteum University Salzburg's range of courses at the respective locations, Salzburg or Innsbruck, must be selected in the basic module (or optionally also through co-enrolment at Paris Lodron University Salzburg or the University of Innsbruck) (8 ECTS credits).

Advanced module
The advanced module deepens the skills, abilities and knowledge acquired in the basic module. Depending on the courses offered, individual focus is possible. The courses in the advanced module must be selected from the recommended courses or equivalent courses (12 ECTS credits).

The academic minor is aimed at students of the Mozarteum University Salzburg (at both the Salzburg and Innsbruck campuses) and can be taken by all students of the BA, MA, diploma and PhD programmes within the scope of the free electives required by their curriculum.

Students of other degree programmes can take part in the respective academic minor within the scope of their programme's free elective requirements, subject to available capacities. Students from other universities can be admitted as part of co-enrolment, subject to available capacity (for further information, please contact the Department of Studies and Examinations at the Mozarteum University Salzburg).

The participation in courses from the academic minor is possible within the scope of the free elective course that students are required to complete for their degree programme. If a student does not complete the number of credits required to be awarded the full academic minor, the certificates from the individual courses can be used as credits for free electives.

Students have the opportunity to obtain a certificate for the basic module (12 ECTS-Credits) as well as for the advanced module (12 ECTS-Credits). The following certificates can be applied for after successful completion of the courses for the academic minor:

• A certificate for the basic module of an academic minor will be issued after positive completion of courses with different content (including the two compulsory courses) amounting to at least 12 ECTS-Credits.
• A certificate for the advanced module of an academic minor will be issued after successful completion of further courses of different content amounting to at least 12 ECTS-Credits.

The examination certificates for the courses must be submitted in the specified digital form (individual certificates in PDF format and exam pass) to the head of the respective academic minor programme so that the necessary verification checks can be carried out. The certificates are then issued by the Department of Studies & Examinations at the Mozarteum University Salzburg.

The Art & Sustainability supplementary course is organised and coordinated by the Institute for Coaching & Career at the Mozarteum University Salzburg. The course offerings are compiled each semester with the support of the Sustainability Department and supplemented as needed.