MAK - Museum of Applied Arts

The MAK – Museum of Applied Arts in Vienna is one of Europe's foremost institutions dedicated to the intersection of design, architecture, and contemporary art. Founded in 1863 as the Imperial Royal Austrian Museum of Art and Industry, it was conceived as a teaching collection to elevate industrial production through exposure to exemplary craftsmanship and design. Over its long history, the MAK has evolved into a dynamic forum that bridges historical applied arts and cutting-edge contemporary practice, with a particular emphasis on the dialogue between design, architecture, and new media. Its mission is to explore the role of applied arts in shaping everyday life and to foster critical reflection on material culture. The MAK's curatorial program is characterized by a rigorous, research-driven approach that often revisits historical narratives through a contemporary lens. The museum's exhibitions and publications frequently challenge conventional boundaries between art and design, craft and industry, and past and present. Its Schindler Scholarship, for example, supports artists and designers whose work engages with the built environment and spatial politics, reflecting the institution's commitment to interdisciplinary inquiry. The MAK's location in Vienna, a city with a rich legacy in both applied arts and modernist experimentation, further informs its distinctive perspective.