Call for Applications for the PhD in practice Program
The Academy of Fine Arts Vienna is launching adoctoral program for research in artistic practice. The new PhD inPractice program is intended to give participants an opportunity torealize their individual research projects in a cooperative environmentwith a decidedly transdisciplinary and international bent.
In societies increasingly based on economies of "knowledge," it iscrucial for contemporary visual artists to discuss and transform theirown respective positions as producers, agents, designers, archivists,and conveyors of "knowledge." The PhD in Practice program of theAcademy of Fine Arts Vienna is coordinated by Tom Holert, Renate Lorenz, and Johanna Schaffer. It focuses on the consequences of theshifting social status of art and artists by allowing artists inknowledge-based societies to engage in research into these issues. Adeliberate emphasis on the epistemological and methodologicalfoundations of the fine arts, its practitioners, and its audiences is adistinguishing feature of the PhD in Practice program.
The study program is designed for a duration of fouryears (240 ECTS credits). During this time the participants willdevelop and implement their projects analytically and experimentally incoordination with the academic and artistic team of co-participants andfaculty. Transdisciplinary modes of working in artistic production willbe fostered. Importantly, the ability to write texts, and to conceive,organize, document, and carry out independent research will bedeveloped by supporting program participants in a networked,international and transdisciplinary environment (The Center forArt/Knowledge/CAK).
The participants have access to the facilities andresources of the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna and to the institutionsand people that form the broader and expanding network of the Centerfor Art/Knowledge and the future Doctorate School of the Academy.Participants will be given the means to pursue and develop dissertationwork resulting in an artistic project displaying a strong emphasis onmethodological reflexivity and documentation. Moreover, participantsare expected to take an active part in organizing the program(coordinating workshops, guest lectures, conferences, exhibitions,screenings, etc.).
Entry requirements
Requirements for admission to the PhD in Practice programare: adegree (Magister, MA or diploma) from a recognized University, and thesubmission of a portfolio and a written project proposal. Applicantswho are already engaged in an artistic or academic career areencouraged to apply.
The start of the PhD in Practice program is scheduled for October 2010.