Mairitsch succeeds Meier at the ZHdK
The Board of the Zurich University of Applied Sciences has elected Karin Mairitsch as the new Rector of the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK). The education and culture manager with many years of university experience will take up her post on October 1, 2022.
Karin Mairitsch succeeds Thomas D. Meier, who has held the position since 2009 and will step down at the end of September. She studied painting at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna. She completed her doctorate at the University of Art and Design Linz on the subject of study program development and educational policy objectives.
From 2003 to 2018, she held various management positions at universities, including the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, the Salzburg University of Applied Sciences and the Zurich University of Applied Sciences.
She also works as a freelance artist, curator, lecturer and author. Karin Mairitsch is currently head of the city of Rüsselsheim's own company Kultur123 with its Culture & Theater, Adult Education Centre, Music School and Public Library departments.
With around 2100 Bachelor's and Master's students, Zurich University of the Arts is one of the leading art universities in Europe. The study and research program covers the fields of art education, design, film, fine arts, music, dance, theater and transdisciplinarity.
The ZHdK is currently converting its range of courses to the major-minor model. From fall 2023/24, the ZHdK will be the first art academy in Europe to enable its students to combine courses from different disciplines in their studies.
