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      • Degree Programmes
      • Continuing Education
      • Research and Services
      • International
      • About FHNW
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      Art and Design
      CAS Art & Peace

      CAS Art & Peace

      This program is a collaboration between the Basel Academy of Art and Design FHNW, swisspeace, and Atelier Mondial.

      Key data

      Degree
      Certificate of Advanced Studies CAS FHNW
      ECTS points
      15
      Next start
      1 October 2025
      Final application date
      30.06.2025
      Teaching language
      English
      Place
      Basel
      Fee
      CHF 6'750 + optional trip
      Go to information eventsApply now

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      In times of uncertainty and violence, artistic activities can – as studies worldwide have shown – offer essential qualities for survival, such as refuge and continuity. Art can help people process trauma and build resilience. The potential of art in peacebuilding and promotion has recently garnered increased attention. Beyond the formalities of conventional diplomacy, art creates a space where dialogue can unfold, social tensions can be addressed, and diverse perspectives can be accounted for.  Art creates opportunities to express complex emotions and experiences, sustainably transform conflicts, and contribute to peace. 

      In today’s world, this knowledge is needed more than ever. What can art contribute to conflict prevention? What role can art play in mediation processes? And what approaches exist in the field of addressing past conflicts? 

      Program Content

      The program includes inputs, workshops, excursions, studio visits, mentoring, peer-to-peer learning, an independent final project, and a collective study trip. Participants develop a critical understanding of the possibilities and limitations of artistic initiatives in fragile contexts, acquire concepts and tools for peacebuilding, and design projects that explore the transformative potential of art to foster dialogue and understanding. Parts of the program are open to the public to raise broader awareness of the themes addressed in the CAS Art & Peace.  

      Target Audience

      The CAS Art & Peace is designed for artists seeking to engage in international cooperation and peacebuilding, as well as for other professionals interested in exploring the role of art in fostering peace. 

      Curriculum

      The CAS Art & Peace takes place over nine months in five four-day blocks in face-to-face teaching at the HGK Basel and the Atelier Mondial. An optional (highly recommended) joint excursion to an institution in Greece is planned.

      October 1-4 , 2025
      Theoretical Introductions: Peace, Conflict, War / Aesthetic Concepts
      Art & Conflict Prevention: Theory of Change, Conflict Sensitivity, Conflict Analysis Tools
      Art & Human Rights: Art and Authoritarianism, Art and Activism

      December 3-6, 2025
      Art & Peace Mediation: Key Concepts of Mediation, Negotiation, and Dialogue Processes
      Project Spotlights: Studio Visits
      Narrative Exposure Theory: Introduction and Exercises

      February 4-7, 2026
      Art & Dealing with the Past: Theoretical Frameworks and Methods, Fireside Chats
      Art & Trauma Healing: Artistic Approaches, Psychosocial Approach

      April 15-18, 2026
      The Future of Art & Peace: Artificial Intelligence, Climate Change, etc.
      Final Reflections & Project Presentations
      Study Trip: Preparation

      Lecturer

      Dr. Alexandra Stäheli
      Alexandra Stäheli is a cultural manager, cultural scientist, curator and journalist. She studied philosophy, German literature, history and art history in Basel and Berlin and completed a doctorate at the University of Zurich with a dissertation on postmodern thought.
      From 1999 to 2009, she taught as a lecturer in the field of visual and media art at the HGK Basel and in the field of design at the ZHdK in the subjects of visual semiotics, art, design and cultural theory, film history and philosophy. From 2003 to 2009, she worked as an editor in the feature section of the Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ).
      Since 2009, she has been head of the international artists' exchange program Atelier Mondial, which is affiliated with the Christoph Merian Foundation. She has completed various further training courses on topics such as female leadership, international cooperation, art and trauma therapy. In her free time, she is involved in reading animation and narrative therapy with the association Sharing Stories, which she founded.

      Isabel Prinzing
      Isabel Prinzing works as Head of Communication at swisspeace, a practice and research institute dedicated to reducing violence and promoting peace in contexts affected by conflicts. She leads the development and execution of comprehensive communication strategies, overseeing events, websites, newsletters, and publications. She manages communication with different internal and external stakeholders, such as the Foundation Board, ensuring effective dialogue and fostering strong relationships. Isabel is also responsible for media relations, corporate identity, and internal communication.
      In her role as Lead Project Coordinator for the Basel Peace Forum, Isabel orchestrates all ongoing activities. Through this platform, she has successfully brought together artists, politicians, and civil society leaders to spark innovative ideas and collaborative approaches to peacebuilding.
      Isabel Prinzing is currently pursuing a PhD at the Institute of Digital Technologies for Communication at Università della Svizzera italiana. Her research focuses on analyzing diverse visualizations and imaginaries of peace, with a keen interest in how visual representations of conflict, violence, and peace influence societal perceptions and narratives.
      Before joining swisspeace in 2017, Isabel Prinzing gained valuable experience with the Stiftung Schweizer Sporthilfe, the Swiss Olympic Association, and Coop. She holds a Master of Arts in Media & Communication Science and Business Administration from the University of Zurich.

      Ingo Niermann
      Ingo Niermann is a writer, artist, and the editor of the speculative book series Solution (Sternberg Press). Recently published projects include the book The Monadic Age: Notes on the Coming Social Order (2024), and the podcast series Ocean Wants (2021). Based on his novel Solution 257: Complete Love (2016), Niermann initiated the Army of Love (thearmyoflove.net), a collective that tests and promotes a need-oriented redistribution of sensual love. His work has been featured at Yokohama Triennale, Berlin Biennale, Istanbul Biennale, DOCUMENTA(13), La Biennale di Venezia, MACBA, MoMA, mumok, Castello di Rivoli, ZKM, Steirischer Herbst, and Guggenheim New York. Niermann studied Philosophy and Sociology at Freie Universität Berlin and is a lecturer at Institute Art Gender Nature, HGK Basel FNHW, where he also edits the digital publishing project Wild Papers (wildpapers.ch).
      www.ingoniermann.com

      Further lecturers from the Art Gender Nature Institute, Swisspeace, Atelier Mondial and other institutions:

      • Hannah Weinberger https://www.fhnw.ch/de/personen/hannah-weinberger
      • Irene Piloya https://ateliermondial.com/en/kuenstler/irene-piloya
      • Seba Kourani https://www.linkedin.com/in/seba-kourani/?originalSubdomain=lb
      • Stas Shärifullá https://criticalmedialab.ch/people/stas-sharifullin.  //https://www.hmot.club
      • Phoenix Atala https://www.fhnw.ch/de/personen/phoenix-atala 
      • Marita Muukkonen https://artistsatrisk.org/resident/marita-muukkonen/?lang=en 
      • Astrit Ismaili https://amybryzgel.wordpress.com/astrit-ismaili/
      • Aqui Thami https://ateliermondial.com/kuenstler/aqui-thami-2023
      • Omaid Sharifi https://omaidsharifi.com
      • Dr. Gal Harmat https://www.swisspeace.ch/about-us/staff/gal-harmat
      • Dr. Julian Arévalo https://www.swisspeace.ch/about-us/staff/julian-arevalo
      • Pamela Favre https://www.swisspeace.ch/about-us/staff/pamela-elizabeth-favre
      • Yota Tsotra http://www.yotatsotra.com/about
      Number of Participants

      10-15 people

      Submission Requirements

      Please submit the following documents as PDF (total max. 10 pages):

      • Curriculum Vitae
      • Letter of motivation
      • Work samples/ portfolio (art, design, written, sound, installations, link to website, etc.)
      • Copy of degree certificate
      Informations an Regulations

      Terms of participation (PDF)
      Information of continuing education FHNW (fhnw.ch)
      Continuing education regulations of the universities of FHNW (fhnw.ch)

      Continuing Education

      Art and Design
      Continuing Education
      Ralf Michel

      Dr. Ralf Michel

      Fachstelle Weiterbildung

      Telephone

      +41 61 228 41 47

      E-mail

      ralf.michel@fhnw.ch

      Address

      Hochschule für Gestaltung und Kunst Basel FHNW Fachstelle Weiterbildung Freilager-Platz 1 Postfach CH-4002 Basel

      Ingo Niermann

      Ingo Niermann

      Dozent Bachelor und Master

      Telephone

      +41 61 228 40 77 (undefined)

      E-mail

      ingo.niermann@fhnw.ch

      Address

      Hochschule für Gestaltung und Kunst Basel FHNW Institute Art Gender Nature (IAGN) Freilager-Platz 1 Postfach CH-4002 Basel

      hgk_weiterbildung_cas

      Dreispitz Basel / Münchenstein

      Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz FHNW Hochschule für Gestaltung und Kunst Basel FHNW

      Freilager-Platz 1

      4142 Münchenstein b. Basel

      Phone+41 61 228 44 00

      E-Mailinfo.hgk@fhnw.ch

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