The European Commission considers art and culture driving forces to tackle current challenges, thereby helping to shape a more sustainable Europe. Action has followed words, and the ninth Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) focusing on culture and creativity was announced in the fall of 2021.

The Johannes Kepler University Linz is a ‘Lead Partner’ in the new EIT Culture & Creativity, collaborating with other partners that include Frauenhofer, the Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Goethe Institute, and the city of Amsterdam. Austria now has a powerful voice in the consortium as the JKU, Kreativwirtschaft Austria, and the Ars Electronica are ‘lead’ and cooperation partners. The new network brings leading institutions in business, industry, innovation, arts and culture, education, and research together. The €150 million in seed capital will be used to get the ball rolling by supporting and implementing groundbreaking initiatives, innovation projects, and educational programs.

In the coming years, and together with a European network of over 50 leading institutions, the JKU intends to promote higher education, innovation, and research, focusing on bringing different disciplines and sectors together as well as bridging the gap between science, the community, and the arts. The JKU's competence center will pool expertise in this area, fostering exchange at a national and European level, and carrying out groundbreaking projects and initiatives.

Christopher Lindinger, JKU Vice-Rector for Innovation and Researchers, remarked: "This evolving network of countless renowned partners is an ideal setting to initiate effective change. Our focus is clearly on higher education and research and we aim to establish an innovative hub that brings various disciplines and sectors together, thereby creating an environment to experiment and take action while simultaneously driving sustainable, social innovation forward."

The first funding call will be announced in spring 2023. We invite universities, research institutions, small and medium-sized companies, and stakeholders from creative industries to submit innovative project ideas in a variety of subject categories, ranging from education and sustainability to business start-up companies. Detailed information about the call will be available after the announcement.

SAVE THE DATE:

Info Session: EIT Culture & Creativity and the First Funding Call

March 9, 2023 / 8:30 - 9:30 AM / LIT Open Innovation Center seminar room (1st floor).

This info session will provide more information about the new knowledge and innovation community, EIT Culture & Creativity, the JKU’s role, and information about the first funding call and available support services.

Click here, opens an external URL in a new window to sign up and attend the Info Session; click here to learn more about the topic of EIT Culture & Creativity.