«We protect freedom and give freedom.»

From the university magazine Zett

Karin Mairitsch in the diploma exhibition 2023. The ceramics entitled "Robust Appetite" are by Aline Julie Hubschmid, the paintings from the series "First Love" by Raphaël Berchier. Photographer: Regula Bearth.

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Author Leoni Hof

Karin Mairitsch, President and Board Member of the ZHdK Foundation, argues in favour of daring philanthropy in order to strengthen the arts as a social sounding board.

In April, the ZHdK put forward two theses: firstly, that philanthropy needs to be rethought, and secondly, that Zurich is a Zurich of the arts. Why this interest in philanthropy?

Our times are characterised by post-corona phenomena, digitalisation, debates on democracy and a new dimension of sustainability efforts. Artificial intelligence, striking economic uncertainties, the division of societies and the turmoil of war make it imperative that we visualise, promote and demand humanity. What is more human than people who do good for other people? That is what philanthropy means. What is more human than the arts, which serve as a social sounding board and a space for both individual and communal development and reception, bringing us closer to the existential dimensions of our being? Finally, what could be more human than a city that combines both?

Why should philanthropists get involved with the ZHdK?

Because we have a lot in common with philanthropists: As exciting as the times may be, they are precarious in their urgency to protect our livelihoods, to promote our creativity and ability to reflect, to preserve our community and democracy, to find meaning and purpose. The ZHdK is a place where art is created, where society is scrutinised and shaped. Our students and lecturers are inventive and imaginative. They think in terms of alternatives, possibilities and opportunities - or sometimes without any purpose. In this way, we defend freedom and create space for the new, for experiments, for curiosity, for the unthinkable. We have this in common with cultural patrons: we protect freedom and give freedom. That's why every bit of generosity and every cent invested in the arts is an important, correct and forward-looking investment.

The ZHdK is a place where art is created and society is scrutinised and shaped.

Karin Mairitsch
Does Zurich University of the Arts, as a public university, need the support of philanthropists and patrons?

Fortunately, we don’t need them to fulfil our core mission. But we do for what goes beyond that: we need external funding to pursue many exciting ideas and projects. Above all, however, many of our students depend on private sponsors to finance their studies. We could not award excellence scholarships, have a solidarity fund for hardship cases, and sponsorships without effective private funding. Philanthropiae, as I call supporting the arts and culture, bears fruit for these students.

What can private institutions do for a university that public institutions cannot?

Private patrons can support individuals in their uniqueness. They can promote areas and activities to which others are oblivious or that are not in vogue. They can help conquer niches and enable experimentation. As a member of the Board of Trustees of the Fondation ZHdK, I am fully committed to our students and to supporting groundbreaking projects that surpass our core mission. The Fondation enables talented young people to pursue higher education. It promotes the next generation of artists in Switzerland, fosters innovative projects and strengthens art, culture and creativity as a means of creating social cohesion.

Patrons are also rebels.

Karin Mairitsch
In which areas does ZHdK cooperate with private sponsors?

Private individuals, foundations and companies make relevant contributions across the university and at the Museum für Gestaltung. Their commitment involves supporting cooperations, partnerships, scholarships, projects or research projects. Zürcher Kantonalbank, for example, is a founding partner of the Zurich Centre for Creative Economies here at ZHdK. Teaching faculty and researchers regularly collaborate with private individuals, foundations and many other institutions. Last year, for example, more than sixty foundations supported students or projects at our university, either with contributions to the Fondation ZHdK or directly to ZHdK.

Who might consider making such a commitment and what might it look like in practice?

Anyone who is passionate about music, the arts and design can become involved. Anyone who wants to promote education, creativity and culture. Let me be somewhat immodest: ZHdK is a very attractive partner. We’re the largest and only independently accredited arts university in Switzerland. We’re regionally visible, actively shape the arts and culture in Zurich, and play an important role in putting the city on the map as a cultural and creative hub. We’re also unique in Europe because we unite almost all the arts, design and education in teaching, research and continuing education under one roof. At the same time, we maintain excellent relations with the best art and music academies worldwide and are highly acclaimed nationally and internationally. Funding is available for students from all disciplines and for innovative projects based at ZHdK, such as the Immersive Arts Lab, the Digital Health Design Living Lab, which works at the intersection of digitization, health, ethics and design, or innovative projects such as an election app designed to strengthen democracy. We’re very agile and flexible. Whether someone wants to fund a film or an orchestra project, violin students, dancers or art students — we always find good solutions together. Promoting excellence is as welcome as supporting financially disadvantaged students.

What incentivizes patrons of the arts?

Changing one’s life by making a personal contribution to what makes life worth living is certainly a strong incentive. And that is exactly what they do. Patrons are also rebels. They oppose a culture of mediocrity and look into corners which others leave unexplored.