Programme content and structure

The CAS Arts and International Cooperation is positioned in the intersection between three main fields:

  • Socially engaged art that is active in social transformation, especially in intercultural and intercontinental contexts, politically fragile contexts and peace building processes
  • Cooperation between artists and mandating institutions.
  • Cooperation between actors from diverse political and cultural contexts.

Artists' initiatives in the above contexts and their contributions to reconstruction and reconciliation after violent conflict have attracted increasing attention. The social benefits of sustaining a sphere of artistic production in times of crisis and global challenges have become visible. Examples of the integrative and transformative power of art in divided societies and of its potential to empower so-called marginalized communities can be found in many regions of the world. However, it requires specific professional skills of artists, organizers, and donor agencies to work in cross-cultural collaborations, fragile regions or in the aftermath of violent conflict. These include familiarity with contemporary art practices as well as knowledge about intercultural and intercontinental cooperation, peace building and critical perspectives on cultural exchange.

Modules

The training consists of two modules taught at the Zurich University of the Arts (module 1 and 3) and one study trip (module 2) to a region where exemplary art projects are visited. Participants who wish to obtain the Certification of Advanced Studies conclude with an individual thesis within the framework of a mentoring module (module 4). They share their works in a final diploma event.

The course language in modules 1–3 is English, in module 4 (individual), it is English or German.
 

Detailed information on the study programme

  • Module 1:  Arts in peacebuilding and social transformation

    The first module introduces the three major themes covered by the CAS study programme. Under the direction of experienced practitioners, it discusses a set of reference art projects, describing their artistic relevance and their intersections with principles and methods from the fields of intercultural cooperation, social transformation and peace building. It analyses institutional practices and artistic approaches, their linkages, challenges and questions of mutual instrumentalisation. And it presents criteria for collaborative work in an international context, based on a paradigm of reciprocity, as well as ethical questions of working cross-culturally as well as in fragile contexts, e.g. practices of conflict sensitivity.
     

    Objectives

    • Participants deepen their knowledge and critical reflection on the role of arts in international cooperation, social transformation and peace building
    • They know exemplary art projects in this field and can evaluate their strengths and weaknesses.
    • They are aware of different capacities art interventions may have for social transformation, but also of examples where art is used to promote violence and deepen crisis.
    • They gain an understanding of existing intersections between contemporary art and fields of international cooperation, and are familiar with key concepts from these fields.
    • The participating artists and participants working in organizations develop an awareness of the different languages and requirements in their respective fields of work.
    • They are able to formulate and critically reflect their own interests in collaboration processes, with a special focus on power structures and the paradigm of reciprocity.
    • They become familiar with the notion of conflict sensitivity and its practical requirements in art projects.

    Lecturers
    To be announced

    Date
    29 January to 1 February 2026

  • Module 2: Exemplary art initiatives and collaboration across fundamental divides (study trip)

    The module consists of an intensive 7-day study trip to a region that is presently in crisis (planned for 2026: Tunesia or Armenia). Participants visit existing projects and art institutions and analyse their strategies of international collaboration and communication. Under the direction of local experts, they study an exemplary manifestation of the artistic, political and social system of this region, the existing social needs and the potential roles art can have in their regard. The module is structured by regular group discussions and conversations with local stakeholders.

    Objectives

    Participants:

    • gain experience with art institutions, projects and initiatives in a fragile context or region of reconstruction after violent conflicts
    • experience strategies of communication, collaboration and participatory decision-making in exemplary projects
    • simulate the necessary steps and analyses that precede the writing of a project document for an art initiative, including, among other things, systemic context analysis and the study of local needs.
    • deepen their awareness of the ethics of international cooperation, including ethical questions of financial control, and the potential of projects to overcome victims/perpetrators and anger/guilt stereotypes.
    • from the so called Global North and Global South deepen their awareness of the risks of discrimination, exclusion and stereotyping in all stages of the project cycle (development, management, reporting/evaluation).
    •  have an awareness about social relevance of art projects.

    Lecturers
    Directors of the CAS and local partners

    Date
    17–24 May 2026

  • Module 3: Project management – special requirements for artists and institutions

    The third module introduces tools for designing collaborative art projects. It presents institutional models of project management cycle and compares them with the specificities of managing art projects and collective creative processes. It outlines standards for project funding, planning, monitoring, and evaluation that can correspond to artistic approaches. Representatives of donor agencies further discuss communication strategies and their applicability in regard to different addressees. In preparation for the fourth module, time is also dedicated to concepts and concerns that will be the core of each participant’s thesis.

    Objectives

    Participants:

    • become familiar with tools for designing collaborative art projects.
    • know the concept of project management cycle and the tasks at its different stages.
    • adopt a structured approach to the conceptualisation of artistic processes.
    • are familiar with basic concepts of aesthetic theory.
    • develop evaluation competencies in regard to the artistic qualities, social relevance and effects of sustainability of art projects/initiatives.
    • are familiar with standards for project budgeting and structured project descriptions.
    • learn about the sensitive handling of cultural differences and differing expectations in management processes.

    Lecturers
    To be announced

    Date
    17–20 September 2026

  • Module 4: Designing individual projects

    In the framework of module 4, participants work on an individual project for which they get feedback from a mentor belonging to an international network of experts. The participants define the topic and the aims of their individual project together with the CAS study director, based on the specific professional background and expertise of the candidate. The mentoring can be structured individually over the course of one semester. To obtain the CAS, participants must submit a documentation and written report on their work, and give an oral presentation.

    Date
    21 September 2026 to 29 January 2027