LEFT: Old Abbey, Essen-Werden Campus, Folkwang University of the Arts. Photo: Luise Jakobi. RIGHT: Zollverein World Heritage Site Campus, Quartier Nord. Photo: Elsa Wehmeier
Folkwang University of the Arts is one of the most internationally renowned educational institutions for music, theatre, dance, design, and academic studies – a vibrant laboratory for ideas and a home for the arts. For almost a century, interdisciplinary teaching, research, and production have been taking place here. With over 40 degree programmes – from early music to pop, dance to physical theatre, design and photography to acting, music teaching and musicology – Folkwang offers a wide range of artistic training at the highest level, with internationally recognised degrees. Around 1,600 students and over 430 international teachers from all over the world shape an open environment that is characterised by diversity and transdisciplinary approaches. "Folkwang is a place of excellent artistic competence and also a place of democratic learning for all people. Our goal is to educate individuals who have a high degree of creativity, courage, and social responsibility," says Holger Zebu Kluth, president of Folkwang University of the Arts.
INTERNATIONAL RESONANCE SPACE FOR THE ARTS The Pina Bausch Professorship is a unique symbol of the university's international and interdisciplinary identity. Named after one of Folkwang's most distinguished alumna and established in collaboration with the Pina Bausch Foundation, it is open to all artistic disciplines at the university. Through the professorship, Pina Bausch's creative legacy is being carried onward – deliberately beyond 72
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Issue 136
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December 2025
dance. Changing international visiting professors such as Marina Abramović and Meredith Monk develop new working methods and, together with the students, implement thinking and research that transcends all boundaries.
PLACES THAT INSPIRE Studying at Folkwang means studying in extraordinary locations, in listed buildings and outstanding contemporary architecture: in the baroque Benedictine Abbey building in Essen-Werden, in the award-winning new buildings on the Folkwang Campus, on the grounds of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Zollverein in the north of Essen, and on the other historic and creative campuses in Duisburg, Bochum, and Dortmund. One of Germany's largest musicology libraries, the Folkwang Library, enclosed in a translucent building shell, completes the first-class study environment.
GRAND STAGE – AS OF 1927 AND FOR TOMORROW The comprehensive range of Folkwang education is demonstrated every year through more than 400 public concerts, exhibitions, dance, theatre, and opera productions, symposia, and interdisciplinary projects. On seven
university-owned stages, and in collaboration with renowned partner institutions, Folkwang University of the Arts plays a key role in enriching the cultural life of an entire region. The Folkwang principle of understanding the unity of the arts as a driver of social change is more relevant today than ever before. Therefore, as it approaches its 100th anniversary in 2027, Folkwang University of the Arts is not only looking back on its rich history, but rather ahead – together and in close collaboration with all students, teachers, and staff. www.folkwang-uni.de info@folkwang-uni.de www.facebook.com/folkwang Instagram: @folkwang_uni Key facts: • more than 40 degree programmes in music, theatre, dance, design and academic studies • admission requirement: a successful artistic aptitude • approx. 1,600 students from all over the world • more than 430 international teachers • about 140 international partner universities • globally unique teaching concept connecting the arts • celebrations in 2027 to mark the university's 100th anniversary
TEXT: IRIS PAIRET GARCIA & DR. STEFANIE ROENNEKE, FOLKWANG HOCHSCHULKOMMUNIKATION, TRANSLATION: CORNELIA BRELOWSKI
THE ARTS IN INTERNATIONAL DIALOGUE – INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES AT FOLKWANG UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS