Research & Production

A man standing in front of a 360° view of yellow lightnings

The ZKM | Center for Art and Media is more than a museum. It is a place of research, technical development and artistic production.

Scientists and artists from all over the world find ideal conditions here to realize theoretical and practical projects. Through international cooperation with other museums, universities and publishing houses, the ZKM is not only connected with the latest developments in art and science, but also sets new thematic priorities that are taken up worldwide.

ARTISTIC PRODUCTION – HERTZ-LAB

The Hertz-Lab offers artists of all genres - from fine arts to music - the opportunity to try out a wide variety of technologies in collaboration with scientists and technical developers. In addition to artistic production, the ZKM has also been involved in the development of technologies for the digital mediation of art for decades.

To the Hertz-Lab

HUMANITIES PROJECTS

For its exhibitions and publications, the ZKM makes great efforts not only to present well-known knowledge, but also to point out new facts and connections through fundamental research.

To current events

A man sitting in front of several screens

PRESERVATION OF ELECTRONIC AND DIGITAL ART

In addition to this research in the humanities, the house is also dedicated to classical museum research. Here the ZKM was able to build up a worldwide unique expertise with regard to the exhibition of electronic art and the preservation of digital cultural heritage.

To the overview

A computer and electronic tools on a table.

Laboratory for Antiquated Video Systems

Museum and Exhibition Technical Services

KEY TOPICS

One of the ZKM’s fundamental missions is to recognize and follow contemporary movements in art and society. By way of thematic exhibitions, publications, and research projects, the ZKM formulates questions and discusses solutions.

History of the Electronic Arts

Global Impulses

Conservation of Media Art

Music / Music Theatre / Sound Art

Web Culture

New Cartographies of Art

Participation

Dance / Performance

CURRENT PROJECTS

The ZKM is a place of manifold research: Scholars and artists from around the world find unique conditions for realizing their theoretical and practical projects and present these to a broad public. By way of international collaborative projects with museums, universities and publishers throughout the world, the ZKM is intimately connected with recent developments in the respective fields, and is in a position to set the tone by way of introducing themes which are then taken up and received worldwide.

2016 - 2019

INTERFACES

New Models and Practices for Audience Development in contemporary music in Europe
2017 - 2018

SEDA

Sensual Experience of Digital Archives
2016 - 2018

Archivists in Residence

A joint project of the Karlsruhe University of Arts and Design (HfG) and ZKM | Center for Art and Media Karlsruhe
2016 - 2020

smARTplaces

EU project for art and cultural mediation
2014 - 2019

NS in Karlsruhe

An inter-school and inter-institution project

Studios and Workshops

ARTISTIC PRODUCTIONS

The ZKM is a place of artistic production. Here, artists have the opportunity to create their works and present them to the public.

To the artistic Productions

GUEST ARTISTS AND GUEST SCHOLARS

The ZKM is a place of research and production. Here, both artists and scientists are given the opportunity to realize works and research ideas.

Awards of the ZKM

AWARDS

The ZKM awards focus on current developments in the artistic field.

To the awards

Giga-Hertz Award

Since 2007, the Giga-Hertz Award for Electronic Music has been supporting young musicians and honoring established artists.
AppArtAward

Since 2011, the ZKM has been awarding the AppArtAward annually for the best artistic developments in the field of applications for smartphones and tablets.
International Siemens Media Arts Prize

In 1992, the ZKM and the Siemens Cultural Program jointly launched the international Siemens Media Art Award.