Founded in 1953 by Oskar Kokoschka as the "School of Seeing", in Hohensalzburg Fortress, it is the oldest of its kind in Europe.
Every year, some 300 participants from more than 50 countries attend some 20 courses offered in two fixed locations: Hohensalzburg Fortress and the Untersberg quarry in Fürstenbrunn, as well as in further temporary spaces in the town of Salzburg.
Well-known artists, curators and critics from all over the world offer courses focusing on topical questions of art production, as well as curatorial practice and writing about art.
Special features of the participants' stay in Salzburg are the fantastic atmosphere in the locations, the outstanding quality of the teachers and the first-rate programme of events, which includes artist talks, lectures and discussions on the history and theory of art, exhibitions, city walks, etc. For many people, the Summer Academy provides a unique opportunity to devote themselves exclusively to reflecting on and to producing art. Participants reassess their own roles as artists/curators/writers and the social function of their art production, also exploring possibilities for opening up new ways of bringing their work to public notice. This helps to form new networks, which often last a lifetime, and which are of immeasurable importance in the art world of today.
The Summer Academy is open to anyone interested. Some two-thirds of participants are professionals (artists and art students). All applicants submit to a process in which the teachers of the courses chosen decide on acceptance; however, the proportion of applications rejected is extremely small.

After discussion with the team, teaching artists and students, the Director assumes sole responsibility for the programme. The principal criteria for the course programme are internationality, diversity, quality and contemporaneity. At the moment, the six-week Academy comprises some 20 courses of between one and four weeks, in two fixed locations: Hohensalzburg Fortress and the Untersberg quarry in Fürstenbrunn as well as in further temporary spaces. The teaching artists choose their own themes and methods, and the courses are characterised by the intensive daily study of production, reflection and presentation of art, carried out under continuous contact with teachers, assistants and fellow-students. Participants focus on their own role as artists in a constantly changing art world, and on establishing international networks. Where required, learning artistic techniques is an integral part of the courses, in which group and interdisciplinary work is just as important as individual production and development. There is one teacher for a maximum of 8 participants, and a group consists of between 12 and 25 participants.