Twenty prestigious universities from around the world and more than 300 emerging student artists and researchers will participate in ADEMA’s pioneering University Art Biennial – Art Week 2025 in June.
>> Participating fine arts faculties include Princeton University, UDK Berlin, Columbia College Chicago, the University of Arts London, and the FHNW Academy of Art and Design in Basel, among others.
>> The event will take place at ADEMA’s two new campuses, Coll and Inca, and the Barceló Foundation. It will then continue with a traveling exhibition at La Misericordia and through various municipalities in Mallorca.
The ADEMA University School will turn Mallorca into the stage for a pioneering event on the international contemporary art scene and in the university world: the University Art Biennial, which will take place as part of Art Week 2025 from June 2 to 6 of this year.
This international event will be held at three main venues: the new Coll and Inca Campuses of ADEMA and the Barceló Foundation. It will continue at the end of June with a traveling exhibition that can be enjoyed at La Misericordia and in various municipalities on the island.
This international biennial will bring together more than 300 emerging students, professors, and researchers from 21 universities in Europe and the Americas in a major global collective exhibition that will remain open to the public throughout the summer.
Participating universities:
- Princeton University (USA)
- Universität der Künste Berlin (Germany)
- Columbia College Chicago (USA)
- University of Arts London UAL-Chelsea College (UK)
- FHNW Academy of Art and Design in Basel (Switzerland)
- Aarhus School of Architecture (Denmark)
- IUAV Università luav di Venezia (Italy)
- Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk (Poland)
- Academy of Fine Arts of Macerata (Italy)
- ADEMA University School of Fine Arts (Spain)
- Brera Academy of Fine Arts of Milan (Italy)
- École Européenne Supérieure d’Art de Bretagne (France)
- HfBK Dresden University of Fine Arts (Germany)
- IPMT Lviv Polytechnic National University (Ukraine)
- Royal Danish Academy (Denmark)
- Weißensee Academy of Art and Design Berlin
- Academy of Fine Arts Munich
- Universidad de La Laguna (Spain)
- Universidad del País Vasco Euskal Herriko Unibersitatea (Spain)
- University of Art and Design Cluj Napoca (Romania)
- Universidad de Málaga (España)
This is the first time that a biennial dedicated exclusively to university artistic creation has been held, making Mallorca a benchmark for teaching and research in the Fine Arts. Each university has been invited to present a specific exhibition for one of the biennial’s spaces, with works created by a selection of ten students and one professor, in a work process that has developed throughout the academic year under the supervision of the event’s Artistic Steering Committee.
For ADEMA, this biennial was born from a very clear idea: to give visibility to emerging talent in a professional and real-life environment, placing university creation at the center of new contemporary artistic trends and creating synergies and building bridges with important universities on the international scene.
The central space will be located on the ADEMA Campus in Coll d’en Rabassa, where the main exhibitions, workshops, and activities will be held. In addition, there are two satellite venues: ADEMA Inca – ES CRUM, dedicated to artistic research projects, and the Barceló Foundation, which will host a group exhibition featuring works by various participants.
Awards
In addition to its exhibition nature, the International Biennial offers several award categories, granting a total of twelve prizes that celebrate creativity and emerging talent.
- Barceló Group Emerging Artist Award
Sponsored by the Barceló Group, this award grants a first prize of €5,000 to the most outstanding work presented at the Biennial. The winning work will become part of the Biennial’s official collection and will be exhibited. Two honorable mentions will also be awarded to recognize other exceptional works, without any monetary prize.
- Award for the Best Institutional Proposal
This category recognizes the most relevant proposal submitted by a participating institution, with an honorary first prize. Two honorable mentions will also be awarded. This prize does not include a cash prize.
- Can Pep Nebot Residency Award
In collaboration with Quartier am Hafen (Germany), this award offers a one-month artistic research residency in Son Servera (Mallorca).
- ADEMA Residency and Acquisition Award
This award offers an artist residency at ADEMA, focused on the development of a new project. Upon completion of the residency, the resulting work will be acquired by ADEMA and incorporated into its institutional collection.
- Palma Contemporary Art Award
A one-year Master’s scholarship at ADEMA University School, awarded to an artist selected in collaboration with Art Palma Contemporani.
- Xavier Fiol Gallery Award
One artist will be selected to participate in a group exhibition curated by gallery owner Xavier Fiol, which will take place during the Nit de l’Art 2025 in Palma.
International jury of renowned professionals
These awards will be evaluated by an international jury composed of leading figures from the world of art and culture. Claudia Tittel (curator of the European Capital of Culture 2025 of Chemnitz in Germany, art and culture scientist, curator), Wendy Anderson (director of International Development-University of Arts London, artist and curator), Amparo Sard (head of Studies of the Degree in Fine Arts at ADEMA and artist), Adriana Polveroni (artistic director of the Modern and Contemporary Art Fair Arte in Nuvola in Rome), Anita Beckers (gallerist), David Barro (director of Es Baluard Museu d’Es Baluard Museu d’Arte in Nuvola, in Rome), Anita Beckers (gallery owner), David Barro (director of Es Baluard Museu d’Art Contemporani de Palma), Alejandro Romero (Coordinator of the Spanish Pavilion at the Venice Biennale for both the Contemporary Art and Architecture editions and coordinator of Visual Arts at AECID), Xavier Fiol (gallery owner-Art Palma Contemporani) and Pilar Pujol (Art Director of the Barceló Foundation).
Guest International Commissioner
The guest curator for this first edition is University of Arts London (UAL) coordinator, artist and curator Ian Monroe, known for his ability to navigate contemporary art, design, and culture with an inquisitive approach that challenges traditional boundaries.
The University Art Biennial – Art Week 2025 is supported by the Barceló Hotel Group, the Balearic Islands Government, the Balearic Institute of Studies, the Consell de Mallorca, Palma City Council, Inca City Council, the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), Estrella Damm, Es Baluard Museum of Contemporary Art, Endesa, and the Baleària Foundation.
PROGRAMA OFICIAL – OFFICIAL PROGRAM
Monday, June 2
ADEMA – Coll Building
10:00 – 10:30 h.
(Sala Magna, ADEMA es Coll Building)
Welcome Session
Institutional opening and greeting of the participating universities.
- Ian Monroe – coordinator at University Arts London, curator of the Art Week University Art Biennial 2025
- Amparo Sard – Head of Studies of the Fine Arts Degree at ADEMA
10:30 – 11:00 h.
(Sala Magna, ADEMA es Coll Building)
Creative Communication Capsules
University Biennial: A Device for Rethinking Ourselves
- Frans Drewniak – Royal Danish Academy
- Roberto Sala – Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera
- Silvia Mornati – Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera
11:00 – 18:00 h.
(ADEMA – Coll Building)
Installation-workshops
18:00 h.
Sunset Gathering
Tuesday, June 3
ADEMA – Coll Building
9:30 – 10:00 h.
Conversation Session (With the support and collaboration of the Palma City Council)
Artistic Creation as a Means of Transforming Social Environments from Within the University Comparative European Models: The Cases of Romania, Poland, Germany, and France.
- Maria Brîneț. Student – University of Art and Design Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Katarzyna Glazer Student – Academy of Fine Arts Gdańsk, Poland
- Student – HfBK Dresden University of Fine Arts, Germany
- Student – European School Supérieure d’Art De Bretagne, France
10:00 – 11:00 h.
Conference (Sala Magna, ADEMA es Coll Building)
Crossroads of Creation: Art, Architecture, and Pedagogy in Contemporary Practice
- Robert Trempe – Aarhus School of Architecture
- Septimiu Jugrestan – University of Art and Design Cluj-Napoca
- Vasyl Savchenko – Academy of Fine Arts Gdańsk
11:00 – 18:00 h.
(ADEMA – Coll Building)
Installation-workshops
18:00 – 22:00 h.
Party at La Celula / Studio Christian Awe Carrer de Guasp 23 Palma 07007 Palma
Wednesday, June 4
ADEMA – Coll Building
9:30 – 10:30 h.
Creative Communication Capsules (Sala Magna, ADEMA es Coll Building)
Creative Pulses: Art, Culture, and Thought in Motion
- Colbey Emmerson Reid – Columbia College Chicago
- Lauren Downing Peters – Columbia College Chicago
- Mariya Plyatsko – Lviv Polytechnic National University
- Olena Zherebetska – Lviv Polytechnic National University
10:30 – 11:00 h.
Creative Communication Capsules (Sala Magna, ADEMA es Coll Building) Islas, márgenes, orillas: prácticas desde el arte
- Javier Sicilia – Universidad de La Laguna
- Daniel Villegas – Universidad de La Laguna
- Edurne González Ibáñez – Universidad del País Vasco
11:00 – 13:30 h.
Installation-workshops (ADEMA – Coll Building)
19:00 h.
Opening Ceremony – ADEMA Campus – Coll d’en Rabassa
Thursday, June 5
10:30 – 12:00 h.
Professional Meeting
• Claudia Tittel, Wendy Anderson, David Barro, Adriana Polveroni, Anita Becker, Alejandro Romero, Xavier Fiol, Fernando Golvano, Amparo Sard, Pilar Pujol
CASAL BALAGUER – Palma, center
17:00 h – 18:00 h.
Municipal Program: “Converses pendents” (With the support and collaboration of the Palma City Council)
University Art Biennial. Art as a Transformative Agent
- Erika Kiss – Princeton University
FUNDACIÓ BARCELÓ – Palma, center
19:00 h.
Opening (Fundació Barceló)
Friday, June 6
ES CRUM – ADEMA Campus, Inca venue
10:00-10:30 h.
Workshop Art and Traditions: Caparrots Making
- María Jesús Martínez Silvente, José Cortés y José Ojeda – Universidad de Málaga / Fundación
ONCE
10:30 – 11:00 h.
Workshop
- Alessia Prati – Università Iuav di Venezia
12:00 h.
Opening
ES BALUARD – Palma, center
19:00 h.
Closing Party & Awards Ceremony (Es Baluard)