What's on
The KHM is kicking off this year's tour with a festive program celebrating its 35th anniversary.
From July 16 to 20, 2025, visitors will have an excellent opportunity to get to know the Academy of Media Arts Cologne, its students, and graduates through their artistic projects from various fields of study in the “media arts.”
The annual exhibition presents over 100 artistic works and projects spread across the entire campus from Heumarkt 14 to Filzengraben 2, including sound and video installations, photography, virtual reality, net art, literature, sound art, and mixed media art. An extensive film program features feature films, documentaries, animations, and experimental films. A central part of the tour are the approximately 40 diploma students whose final projects are presented in the exhibition and film program.
Opening: Wednesday, July 16, 6:30 p.m.
KHM Auditorium, Filzengraben 2, 50676 Cologne
Welcome speeches
Prof. Mathias Antlfinger, Rector of the KHM
Solveig Klaßen, Vice Rector of the KHM
Andreas Wolter, Mayor of the City of Cologne
Keynote speech
Prof. Dr. Roberto Simanowski, media and cultural philosopher: “Algorithmic Reparation. How language models want to improve the world and what they can learn from art in the process.”
Award ceremony
Grand Art Prize of the Friends of KHM e.V.
Presented by Isabel Apiarius-Hanstein M.A., Board Member
Please register in advance as space is limited: khm35@khm.de
Tour 2025 – Overview of opening hours
Exhibition
Wednesday, July 16, 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., Campus
Thursday to Sunday, July 17–20, 2–8 p.m. Campus
Film program Auditorium & Film Forum
Thursday to Sunday, July 17–20, 2, 4, and 6 p.m. each day,
KHM Auditorium, Filzengraben 2, 50676 Cologne
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, July 17–19, 8 p.m. each day,
Filmforum at Museum Ludwig, Bischofsgartenstraße 1, 50667 Cologne
Concerts, readings, and performances
Details to follow
Student advising
Thursday + Saturday, July 17 + 19, 2–5 p.m.
Information desk, inner courtyard, Filzengraben 2, 50676 Cologne
Central information
Wednesday, July 16, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Thursday to Sunday, July 17–20, 2–8 p.m.
Information desk, inner courtyard, Filzengraben 2, 50676 Cologne
Information desk, Heumarkt 14, 50667 Cologne
Admission is free.
Program details to follow in early July.
 |
 Hofkonzert Rundgang 2024 |
 Filmprogramm Rundgang 2024 |
 Lesung Rundgang 2024 |
What began in 1990 as a diploma program in “Audiovisual Media” for 25 students has steadily developed into a highly sought-after, interdisciplinary project-based program. It is based on free choice and individual combinations of artistic specializations. “Media Arts” can be studied in nine semesters (undergraduate, Diploma 1) or four semesters (postgraduate, Diploma 2). It is supplemented by a doctoral program (Dr. phil.). The “Media Arts” diploma (Diploma 1 or 2) corresponds internationally to an MFA (Master of Fine Arts). Around 400 people are currently studying at the KHM, at least 40 percent of whom come from abroad. Approximately 75 new applicants are accepted each winter semester.
The KHM is firmly established among Germany's leading art and film schools. Its transdisciplinary approach to teaching and research, ongoing collaboration with domestic and foreign universities, cultural institutions, festivals, exhibition organizers, and the media and film industry lay the groundwork for networks and activities in which students, doctoral candidates, and fellows work after graduation: For example, as successful freelance or collective artists, programmers, film directors, cinematographers, screenwriters, designers, producers, or other independent entrepreneurs. A considerable number of them now pass on their expertise as university teachers.
Every year, theses and projects by KHM students receive 70 to 80 awards, including prestigious international prizes and scholarships. These successes underscore the excellent reputation of the interdisciplinary program:
KHM graduation films have won the Academy's Student Oscar in Gold (AMPAS) three times: in 2016 for “Ayny” by Ahmad Saleh (animation), in 2008 for “Auf der Strecke” by Reto Caffi (feature film), and in 1997 for “Ein einfacher Auftrag” by Raymond Boy (feature film).
Curators of the Venice Biennale regularly invite KHM graduates: in 2022 Sandra Vásquez de la Horra and Yunchul Kim, in 2017 Peter Miller, in 2015 Rosa Barba, in 2013 Glenda Léon and Kriss Salmanis, in 2011 Marianna Christofides, and in 1999 the artist group “knowbotic research.”
Since 2015, several graduates have been accepted into the Young Academy of the North Rhine-Westphalian Academy of Sciences and Arts: 2023 Viktor Brim, 2019 Lea Letzel, 2018 Ale Bachlechner, and 2015 Rozbeh Asmani.
An overview of the most important KHM awards can be found here.
Drone flight through the KHM
Drone flight through the KHM, May 2024 version
