Academy of Media Arts Cologne
North Rhine-Westphalia's art and film school for media arts, founded in 1989, with interdisciplinary diploma programmes in the heart of Cologne.
since 1990
The Academy of Media Arts Cologne (Kunsthochschule für Medien Köln, KHM) is the art and film school of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Founded in 1989, it was set up as an institution centred on media arts.
At a Glance
- Type
- State art and film school for media arts
- Founded
- 1989; teaching began on 15 October 1990
- Location
- Cologne city centre, around Peter-Welter-Platz and Filzengraben
- Students
- About 400 enrolled, at least a third from abroad
- Programmes
- Diploma 1 (9 semesters), Diploma 2 (4 semesters), and a doctoral track (Dr. phil.)
- Teaching language
- Mainly German; B2 level expected from non-native speakers
Age comparison
Age compared with other places in Cologne.
History
The school was created by the state's Ministry of Science and Research, which sought an interdisciplinary model joining art, film and media theory. Operations opened on 15 October 1990 with 25 students in a postgraduate diploma called „Audiovisual Media". An undergraduate diploma in the same field followed in 1994, and both were reorganised and renamed „Mediale Künste" (Media Arts) in 2010. A doctoral programme combining artistic enquiry and academic research was added in 2004.
Studying Here
KHM works with diploma courses rather than bachelor's or master's degrees. The nine-semester Diploma 1 begins with foundational study in theory, artistic practice and scientific areas before students concentrate on the departments of ExMedia, film/television and art; the diploma is regarded as comparable to a Master of Fine Arts. The four-semester Diploma 2 is aimed at students who already have academic or professional experience in the arts. Fields of study range from cinematography, editing and screenwriting to experimental film, photography, sound art, performance and the politics of networks and code. Each winter semester around 70 new applicants are admitted, selected through artistic work samples and an essay on a set theme.
Locations
The academy first used temporary quarters at the Overstolzenhaus and Peter-Welter-Platz 2, later spreading into several buildings around Peter-Welter-Platz and Filzengraben. In late 2005 it brought its activities together in a new complex at Filzengraben, and in March 2024 it took on further space at Heumarkt 14.
Library
KHM runs a specialised library and media centre with books, periodicals, films, sound recordings and digital resources focused on media arts. It is housed in the historic Overstolzenhaus at Rheingasse 8 and is open to both students and the public.
Notable Names
Artists and filmmakers who have studied or taught at the academy include VALIE EXPORT, Marcel Odenbach, Jürgen Klauke, Phil Collins, Werner Nekes, Hans Weingartner and Rosa Barba.
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Sources & links
- Official website
- Official website (retrieved 2026-07-17)
- Wikidata (retrieved 2026-06-30)
- Wikipedia (retrieved 2026-06-30, rev 266547267)
Auto-generated, last verified: 2026-06-30
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