Abstract Artistic research has been established and institutionalized in many countries, causing structural as well as conceptual changes in the respective higher education systems, and the recognition of practice-based forms of research has gained strong momentum. In Germany, however, artistic research is still in a peripheral position, lagging behind the changes even in its neighboring countries. Faced with the hegemonic standing of scientific research, artistic researchers struggle to find funding and acceptance for their projects and research approaches.
The research project “ILLUME – potentials of complementary research practices in the higher education system: contributions and structures of artistic research and its integration at universities of art and music” focuses on artistic research as a complementary epistemic approach to the world, asking how it might develop its full potential to contribute to crucial social transformation processes and what framework conditions and structural changes are required for its successful integration at German art and music colleges.
Regarding higher education in the arts in Germany, there is a strong tradition of institutionally independent art and music colleges which claim special perspectives and regulations – and enjoy a prestigious international reputation. Furthermore, they form both part of the higher education system and of the public cultural sector. Consequently, both areas are (potential) beneficiaries of the institutionalization of artistic research, while at the same time concepts for structural changes have to be adapted to the organizational peculiarities. The investigation of international best-practice examples and a policy analysis are part of ILLUME’s research design in order to implement experiences and expertise from abroad.
In the workshop, participants are invited to contribute to the identification and discussion of focus topics regarding the situation in Germany from an international perspective.