Art as a means to renew society

“Art for the people and with people". This was the background behind establishing the Fachhochschule Ottersberg in 1967.

Since that time, the social and therapeutic impact of art has lost none of its importance: The argument then was just as convincing as it is today, namely that without any kind of contribution on the part of art it is hardly conceivable that society can experience a renewal process. The possibilities offered by art are universal, and their resources are readily available for everyone; however, the important prerequisite is that they are made available to everyone. The daily work of our graduates demonstrates that this is possible. They work successfully in diverse social environments. Their wide range of activities confirms that art plays an increasingly important role as a medium in the field of educations, pedagogy, social work and therapy.

Between the clinic and the children’s circus
Our graduates are employed in clinics and old people's homes, in psychiatric aftercare and rehabilitation centres, in curative pedagogy and in drug support centres, in the penal system and in business enterprises. They work together with handicapped persons, with children and young persons, in schools and adult education, in theatres and also in children’s circuses. They are active in social and healthcare facilities, as entrepreneurs for art-based social work, and last but not least as freelance artists.

Artistic work in a social and health-related context is based on an individual’s creative resources. Through this, social barriers, which act as obstacles for the “ill" or "handicapped", are removed. Art offers not only the opportunity to personally process and shape life’s reality, but also, importantly, the means to express this in a humane and appropriate manner. Consequently, art therapy concepts and processes break down barriers formed by lack of contact or communication. They present new opportunities for integrative projects involving mutual interaction between which social and aesthetic work.

How do I think? How do I perceive? How do I feel?
And what is the influence on my behaviour? How these factors shape an individual’s personality play a central role in the studies. The answer depends to a great extent on whether knowledge can influence personal responsibility, and whether it can be applied for artistic work and art therapy.

A live critique of contemporary culture
No one particular art concept is emphasised at the Fachhochschule Ottersberg. Instead, our academic staff focus on the individual student’s artistic concepts and implementation, as well as a lively examination of the diverse phenomena of contemporary culture.
 
Joint responsibility
An integral component of the Fachhochschule’s concept is to distribute responsibility evenly over all parties involved, namely the organisation, the staff and the students. The daily routine is thus characterised by self-organisation, self-administration and student initiatives.
The student initiatives not only provide students with the opportunity to influence life at the Fachhochschule Ottersberg, but are also an ideal way to acquire social and entrepreneurial competences, factors that will prove advantageous in later professional careers.