Hochschultage 2026

Open studios, concerts, performances: The University of the Arts (HfK) Bremen is opening its doors on 14 and 15 February 2026 and inviting visitors to its annual tour of Speicher XI and Speicher XI A in Überseestadt. Visitors and prospective students will get a glimpse behind the scenes of the university and can visit open studios, workshops, studios and halls. A varied weekend of art, design, digital media and music is on offer. As always, admission is free.

Artistic processes and interdisciplinary perspectives
Once a year, at the end of the winter semester, the HfK Bremen offers a large audience the special opportunity to take a look behind the scenes of the university. This allows visitors to experience the many facets of an artistic education. With around 100 projects and 14 concerts, the 2026 University Days are one of the largest public presentations of contemporary art in Bremen. Students from all departments show their work and provide insights into their working processes. During a tour of the open studios, workshops, studios and exhibition rooms, around 5,000 visitors are invited each year to learn about artistic processes, participate and engage in conversation.

The diverse programme of exhibitions, performances, concerts, installations, films, lectures and artistic interventions conveys a lively picture of current developments in art, design, digital media and music at the HfK Bremen. This year's University Days on 14 and 15 February 2026 will once again highlight the university's interdisciplinary profile – joint projects and experimental formats involving different departments will showcase the university's broad artistic diversity.

About the programme
Musically, the HfK Bremen offers a concert mix of classical, jazz and electronic music. The Art and Design department showcases a wide range of media, including painting, printmaking, photography, drawing, animation, comics, film, audio, typography, fashion, 3D design and product design. Thematically, this year's programme covers a wide range of interests: from bicycles to artistic explorations of elements, movement and emotions to experimental soundscapes. The project ‘Black Market for Red Books’ deals with alternative forms of literature and book production and traces the phenomenon of pirated printing at the State and University Library in Bremen.

The interdisciplinary section includes ‘Poop Art’ – a project that deals with the question of authorship in connection with mouse excrement. Elsewhere, a performance explores the 193-page graphic score by Cornelius Cardew from the 1970s. On Saturday, a lecture will demonstrate how successful interdisciplinary cooperation between the departments of design and music can be achieved, using the example of the award-winning Hohner XS – a special accordion for children. 

Whether as part of a special tour of the high-rise bunkers in Walle or a somatic journey with stones, the audience will have the opportunity to actively participate and gain new experiences at various points. In addition, art objects, prints, ceramics, T-shirts, books and more will be available for purchase during the weekend. Various stands invite visitors to discover, browse and shop.

University awards and final theses provide groundbreaking inspiration
During the University Days, special attention will be paid to the works of the winners of the university awards. Their works are selected by an independent jury and represent outstanding quality and groundbreaking artistic inspiration. For the first time, final theses from the Integrated Design programme will also be presented to the public in a large exhibition in Hall 1 of Speicher XI A during the University Days.

Advice for prospective students
Prospective students can enjoy exclusive programme items and a comprehensive range of information and advice. Lecturers, students and staff will be on hand to answer questions about the courses on offer and the application and admission process.

Opening hours
Saturday, 14 February 2026: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday, 15 February 2026: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Opening
Saturday, 14 February 2026, 12 noon, Auditorium, Speicher XI
Welcome by the Rector, Prof. Dr. Mirjam Boggasch

Location
Bremen University of the Arts
Speicher XI and Speicher XI A
28217 Bremen

Programme and further information
The complete programme will be published shortly before the University Open Days.
https://www.hfk-bremen.de/hochschultage

Accommodation
Café Lu and Mensa13 will be offering food and drinks. Seating areas invite you to relax and linger.

Directions and accessibility
Information on directions and accessibility at Speicher XI and Speicher XI A can be found at https://www.hfk-bremen.de/de/service-und-kontakt/kontakt.

Admission is free.

About the University of the Arts Bremen
Around 1,000 students from 70 countries, 65 professors, 89 administrative staff and more than 150 lecturers make the University of the Arts Bremen a lively place. 

The HfK Bremen is a university of apparent contrasts. It is regionally anchored and at the same time strongly internationally oriented. It spans several locations across the city, which are very different, ranging from classical to floating and contemporary. It is both an art and music university. This context, which defines the university, is of a special quality and forms a framework that enables both collective and individual artistic development to be strengthened.

The range of courses on offer includes fine art, integrated design, digital media and artistic and artistic-pedagogical training in music. Since 2020, the HfK Bremen has also offered the opportunity to pursue a doctorate as part of its artistic-scientific PhD programme, particularly in the areas of integrated design and digital media. Dialogue and cooperation are specifically promoted through open courses and joint examination supervision, as well as through workshops, studios and thematic projects. With around 400 events per year, the HfK Bremen is a cultural and social pillar of the city of Bremen. 

The relationship between the members of the university community, their diverse collaborations, the close supervision and the various regional and international collaborations contribute to the students developing strong individual characters. This results in work that is highly relevant to society.