Karlsruhe looks back on five successful years as Germany’s only UNESCO Creative City of Media Arts to date. Over the past year, the city has implemented a series of newly conceived projects and further developed existing successful formats. In 2025, Karlsruhe will continue this work, creating new opportunities—both through impressive installations in public spaces and international exchange projects.
2024 was a year full of inspiring projects: The exhibition Media art is here transformed public spaces into a stage for 13 projects during the summer, turning the city into a vibrant hub of digital creativity. The UNESCO City of Media Arts also showcased its artistic brilliance at the international art fair art karlsruhe.
In total, 17 funded projects were implemented, and six calls for proposals were published last year. Another milestone was the opening of studio hö, which not only served as a production space but also set new impulses as an exhibition venue for media art.
Additionally, 2024 was marked by intensive exchange and successful collaboration across national borders. International projects and networking played a central role in addressing global challenges, developing innovative solutions, and fostering intercultural learning. By building and maintaining strong partnerships, valuable synergies emerged—both within the UNESCO Creative Cities Network and with Germany’s Creative Cities.
In this regard, 2025 looks even more promising with a variety of international projects. The CULT exchange project with Modena, another UNESCO City of Media Arts in Italy, strengthens the connection between cultural heritage and media art in the context of sustainable development. It offers citizens, artists, and creatives the opportunity to participate in two visits—one in their hometown and one in the partner city.
With Media art is here and the world-famous Schlosslichtspiele, two audience favorites are making a comeback—bigger and more captivating than ever. An impressive installation is planned for the marketplace, while additional sound and interactive works will be on display across the city during the summer.
One of the Schlosslichtspiele shows in 2025 will once again feature the winner of the international dm-Award connecting worlds. This award honors an outstanding project that bridges the digital and analog space while making a strong statement about the connection between local engagement and international exchange—an experience that adds a new dimension to the Schlosslichtspiele.
But before the summer highlights, don’t miss the presentation at art karlsruhe in February 2025, made possible through the support of the Werner Stober Foundation. At the heart of the exhibition, a spectacular media art installation—serving as the nucleus of Karlsruhe’s identity—will offer a powerful experience of the fusion of art, technology, and creativity, setting the stage for an inspiring start to the media art year 2025.