Mainnavigation

      • DE
      • EN
    • Watchlist
    • Menu Menu

    Karin Mairitsch appointed the new President of the Zurich University of the Arts

    Media release

    Dr Karin Mairitsch is being appointed the new President of the Zurich University of the Arts. Photo: ยฉ Sam Khayari

    Published on 15.03.2022

    • Art Education
    • Design
    • Film
    • Fine Arts
    • Music
    • Dance
    • Theatre
    • Transdisciplinarity
    • Continuing Education
    • Research
    • Campus

    The Council of Zurich Universities of Applied Sciences and Arts has appointed Dr Karin Mairitsch as the new President of the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK). She has many years of experience in education and culture management, and will assume her post on 1 October 2022.

    At its meeting of 15 March 2022, the Council of Zurich Universities of Applied Sciences and Arts followed the recommendation of its search committee and elected Dr Karin Mairitsch as the new President of the Zurich University of the Arts. She will succeed Prof. Dr Thomas D. Meier, who has held the post since 2009 and will step down at the end of September.

    โ€œI am delighted that the Council has appointed Dr Karin Mairitsch as my successorโ€, says Thomas D. Meier. โ€œIt is important that the ZHdK should enjoy continuity in its strategic development. Karin Mairitsch has a wealth of experience in the German-speaking university environment, so by choosing her we can be confident of just such continuity. Its work on a new Major/Minor study model means ZHdK is in the midst of a process of change. It will be able to benefit from Dr Mairitschโ€™s fresh perspective and the new impetus she will bringโ€.

    Education manager and artist

    Karin Mairitsch studied painting at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna. She completed her doctorate at the University of Arts Linz with a thesis on curriculum development and the key objectives of educational policy. From 2003 to 2018, she held various management positions at universities including the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, the Salzburg University of Applied Sciences and the Zurich University of Applied Sciences. She also works as a freelance artist, curator, lecturer and author. Karin Mairitsch is currently the head of โ€œKultur123โ€, the cultural centre of the city of Rรผsselsheim that encompasses a Department of Culture & Theatre, an Adult Education College, a Music School and a Municipal Library.

    โ€œIt fills me with gratitude and great pride to be assuming the role of President of the renowned Zurich University of the Arts. Prof. Dr Thomas Meier and the University Board have achieved the unparalleled feat of positioning ZHdK internationally as a pioneering university. I am committed to maintaining this. ZHdKโ€™s ongoing process of change through its conversion to the Major/Minor study model is proof of the universityโ€™s innovative strength, and is a task to which I am looking forwardโ€, says Karin Mairitsch.

    The Zurich University of the Arts

    With some 2,100 Bachelor and Master students, the Zurich University of the Arts is one of the leading universities of the arts in Europe. Its study and research programmes cover art education, design, film, fine arts, music, dance, theatre and transdisciplinarity. The ZHdK is currently converting its study programmes to a Major/Minor model. From autumn 2023/24, the ZHdK will be the first arts university in Europe to enable its students to combine courses from different disciplines in their degree programmes.

    • Details

      • Downloads
        • photographs_new_president_ZHdK
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn

    Discover more

    • Art Education
    • Design
    • Film
    • Fine Arts
    • Music
    • Dance
    • Theatre
    • Transdisciplinarity
    • Continuing Education
    • Research
    • Campus
      • Materialarchiv | 5.6. - 17.08.2025

        Asche und Kohle im Rampenlicht

      • University Day 2025

        Awards for Thomas Hirschhorn, Fabian Engel and Simon Oschwald

      • Diplomfilm ยซBan Dalยป ausgezeichnet

        Joyn Newcomer Award

      • Department of Fine Arts x Hauer & Wirth

        In Performance: ยซUman. A Fantastic Womanยป