What kind of projects take place at AIL? Who can participate?

Angewandte Interidsciplinary Lab (AIL) is the platform for art, science and artistic research of the University of Applied Arts Vienna. Focus points in the wide program of AIL are interdisciplinary artistic research projects, that bring together expertise from different fields, investigate current societal issues, create new event formats and/or encourage the development of new ideas, critical thinking and innovative formats of knowledge production. Aim of the AIL is to enfoster connections within the Angewandte but also from inside to outside, and therefore not only showcase interdisciplinary work, but even more to strengthen the potential of it and make it possible.

As part of the University of Applied Arts Vienna, AIL focuses on supporting university alumni, doctoral students and artistic research teams who are involved in interdisciplinary research projects connected to the University. Additionally AIL facilitates program series realized in collaboration with departments of the University, which match the criteria mentioned above, bringing in guests and their expertise from outside the University.

Furthermore, AIL collaborates with projects from professionals and institutions outside the Angewandte, that reconnect with topics discussed and worked within the University. AIL shares its expertise and experience in the realisation of interdisciplinary projects and can provide access to the University’s organisational and content-related resources.

Artists, designers, architects, artistic researchers, scientists, technicians, activists, Angewandte alumni and professionals from other fields interested in interdisciplinary work and current societal issues are invited to submit a project proposal – no matter what research stage: whether this means formulating ideas, showing the process behind the artistic research or presenting a final project.

Please be aware that AIL projects are mainly co-financed projects. This means that cooperation partners should already provide an exhibition budget or be in the process of generating necessary funds. AIL mainly covers infrastructural costs, the space as well as supports of communication and mediation. (See more under the services AIL offers)

About the space:

Exhibition spaces:

AIL consists of two exhibition spaces (exhibition space 1 appr. 135sqm and exhibition space 2 appr.180sqm, see floorplans) Both exhibition spaces are separatly accessible and have one window front. Additionally each area has a smaller space that can function as sort of black box area. Depending on the size of the project as well as the overall AIL exhibition schedule both or one exhibition spaces can be used.

Cashier hall:

The former cashier hall of the Postsparkasse is a multifunctional space of AIL.The cashier hall is a public, multifunctional space that serves as a connection point to our exhibition areas and is also permanent home to the Café Exchange (opening hours: Mon – Fri 10:00 – 6:00). AIL hosts events like talks, performances, readings or presentations and curated temporary art interventions in the space, such as a showcase area with a selection of Angewandte publications.

Public events can run concurrently with the café operations, but should not disturb the café visitors. Please note as well that during the café opening hours the cashier hall gets quite noisy. In case a quiet and concentrated atmosphere is required for an event, we suggest to use a starting time from 6pm onwards (after Café Exchange is closed). Evening events that extend beyond 22:00 require additional payments for porter overtime. 

What services does AIL offer?

In case of a successful application, the AIL infrastructure and facilities will be available for use free of charge and the project will be realized with the support of the AIL team. However, the scope and intensity of staffing and financial support varies from project to project. All further conditions regarding funding, resources and personnel support will be clarified in meetings with the AIL team.

AIL functions as a entity of the University and therefore differ in its structural setting from other art institutions. This means f.e. that we don´t hold our own technical exhibition team, or a department for audience mediation. Within collaborations AIL provides its spaces, existing equipment and furniture, as well as expertise in the field of curating, project management and communication. The exhibition and event production needs to be handled and organized by the collaborating partner in consultation with AIL.

How can I submit and realise an exhibition or an event? Which documents are required?

Exhibitions are programed roughly 1 year  ahead of time and events around 6 months prior. Therefore we recommend to contact Team AIL as early as possible.

(Current Update: Exhibition program for 2025 is already closed, applications for 2026 or later are possible)

Deadline Proposals for Exhibitions:

— 15 Mar 2025 (collecting submitting projects for the first half of the year 2026)
— 15 Aug 2025 (collecting submitting projects for the second half of the year 2026)

Deadline Proposals for Events at the Kassenhalle:

— 15 Nov 2025 (for upcoming events during the Summer semester March – June )
— 15 Mar 2025 (for upcoming Autumn/ Winter semester Sept – February)

Proposals are discussed and approved by the AIL Executive Board (Petra Schaper Rinkel (Rector, University of Applied Arts Vienna), Julienne Lorz (Head of Expanded Museum Studies), Bernhard Kleber (Head of Stage and Film Design), Alexandra Graupner (Head of AIL), Elisabeth Falkensteiner (Head of AIL), Alexander Damianisch (Head of Support Kunst und Forschung)

It is the project content as well as connection and relevance for the Angewandte or possible current topic foci of AIL that determines whether or not an event will take place at AIL.

A project proposal must include:

— time outline, space needs and a budget
— name of collaborators, including CVs and relevant urls of the main responsible people involved
—  a short project description

As orientation you might answer the following questions within your proposal:

Why is AIL the right place for your project? How is your project interdisciplinary? Which connection is there to Angewandte or which connection do you seek by showing your project at AIL? What are the main subjects and questions in your project?

Project proposals should not exceed 5 pages and be max. 10 MB 

Please send all project applications ail@uni-ak.ac.at

If you have any questions relating to a specific area of expertise, you can find a list of our team members here.

Are the spaces of AIL for rent?

For corporate and private initiatives: Our exhibition space is not available for rent – the project content determines whether or not an event will take place at AIL. Howewer outside of AILs core hours the special space of the former Kassenhalle can be rented on special ocassions from AIL unrelated events like filming, award ceremonies, etc. Possible periods for renting the cashier hall are University breaks and holidays: February, July and August.

Please be advised that the Kassenhalle is heavily booked and therefore request should be handed in a minimum of 6 months prior to the planned events. Please note: AIL is not a regular event facilitator, therefore rental operations may be subject to certain limitations. 

Photos from 2014 – 2021 © Alicia Pawlczak, Bengt Stiller, Birgit und Peter Kainz, Claudio Farkasch, Edward Chapon, Eva Weber, Lea Dietiker, Luca Fuchs, Martina Lajczak, Peter Mayr, Serena Fanaral, Susanna Hofer, Thomas Steineder and Vicky Klug.

The Neuromatic Visuals are an extract of the Neuromatic Brainwave Broadcast, developed by Neuromatic Art Games Lab expanded Margarete Jahrmann & Thomas Wagensommerer, coop Louise Linsenbolz, Georg Luif, Stefan Glasauer. An Area7lab production.