HBK Braunschweig

What HBK Braunschweig does

HBK Braunschweig (Hochschule für Bildende Künste Braunschweig) is a public art university and public law corporation (Körperschaft des öffentlichen Rechts) located at Johannes-Selenka-Platz 1, 38118 Braunschweig, Germany. It is the only state-funded art university in the state of Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen) and holds the right to confer doctoral degrees (Promotion) and habilitations (Habilitationsrecht). The institution delivers ten accredited study programmes spanning fine arts (Freie Kunst), design (Visuelle Kommunikation, Design in der digitalen Gesellschaft, Transformation Design), education (Kunstpädagogik, Kunst in der Sonderpädagogik, Darstellendes Spiel in cooperation with Leibniz-Universität Hannover), and academic research (Kunstwissenschaft, Medienwissenschaften). Supporting these programmes are 22 specialised workshops (Digital Production, Bronze Casting, Ceramics, Sound Art Lab, etc.), a library of approximately 85,000 media units, six research institutes, and a centralised LIFERAY-based Sonia student portal operated jointly with the Rechenzentrum der Ostfalia Hochschule.

The university serves three primary constituencies: prospective and enrolled students (domestic and international, including refugees); researchers and teaching staff; and the general public of Braunschweig and Lower Saxony through open exhibitions, open-access library services, and youth programmes. Operational staffing totals approximately 71 employees across library (10), IT (6), press and public relations, data protection, and other functions. The institution does not charge tuition (Studiengebührenfreiheit in Niedersachsen); funding flows primarily from the Niedersächsisches Ministerium für Wissenschaft und Kultur via state appropriations, supplemented by third-party Drittmittel research grants (including EU Horizon Europe projects such as SPOON Citizen Science Lab), transaction fees from library and print services (e.g., €1.50 per interlibrary loan, €0.05-€0.20 per CPS page), and commissions from the annual Kunstmarkt art sale.

HBK operates as a non-commercial educational institution rather than a revenue-generating enterprise; there is no private equity or venture capital involvement, no parent company, no subsidiaries, and no publicly traded equity. Its primary distribution channels are direct enrolment via the meinstudium.hbk-bs.de application portal, Erasmus+ and bilateral university exchanges, public exhibitions (Rundgang, Kunstmarkt, Meisterschüler exhibition at Kunstverein Braunschweig, Open Area at Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg), outreach events (Studieninformationstag with ~200 attendees in 2025, Tag der Niedersachsen, FiBS Ferienworkshops), and a multi-platform social-media presence (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, LinkedIn, Mastodon, Bluesky).

Name

HBK Braunschweig

Legal name

Hochschule für Bildende Künste Braunschweig

Website

https://hbk-bs.de

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Braunschweig

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Public Higher Education Funding: As a state (staatliche) university in Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen), HBK Braunschweig is primarily funded by government subsidies from the state of Lower Saxony through the Niedersächsisches Ministerium für Wissenschaft und Kultur (MWK). Tuition fees are not charged (no Semesterbeitrag beyond standard student services).
2. Research Third-Party Funding (Drittmittel): The university generates research funding through third-party projects including EU Horizon Europe projects (e.g., SPOON Citizen Science Lab), national research grants, and other externally funded research programmes. Drittmittelprojekte are tracked and reported publicly.
3. Library Services - Interlibrary Loan & Document Delivery: Fees charged for interlibrary loan (Fernleihe) at €1.50 per order, and subito document delivery service for external users. ISBN-based library card issuance for non-HBK members costs €5.
4. Print, Copy & Media Reproduction Services: Revenue generated through printing and copying services via the CPS system: €0.05 per A4 black-and-white page, €0.10 per A4 colour page. Overdue fees for library loans (€1 per item per day for short-term loans).
5. Kunstmarkt Art Sales Commission: Annual Kunstmarkt event featuring works by HBK students and alumni. Of 244 exhibited works in 2024, 47 were sold. The Fördererkreis der HBK Braunschweig e.V. co-organises the event.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels16 records

Core offering

HBK Braunschweig is a state art university that delivers accredited higher education programmes in fine arts, design, art pedagogy, performing arts, art history, and media studies. It supports teaching and artistic practice through 22 specialised workshops, an academic library of ~85,000 media units, digital platforms for learning and administration, and doctoral and habilitation research. The institution also runs public exhibitions, an annual art market (Kunstmarkt), and EU-funded research projects such as the SPOON Citizen Science Lab.

Product overview

HBK Braunschweig is a public art university offering a comprehensive portfolio of academic programs and infrastructure services. The institution provides 9 distinct study programs spanning artistic practice (Freie Kunst), design disciplines (Visuelle Kommunikation, Design in der digitalen Gesellschaft, Transformation Design), education (Kunstpädagogik, Kunst in der Sonderpädagogik, Darstellendes Spiel), and academic research (Kunstwissenschaft, Medienwissenschaften). Supporting these academic offerings are 22 specialized workshops for artistic production, a library with approximately 85,000 media units, research support services, and digital platforms including Stud.IP for learning management, OPUS HBK for institutional publications, and a student portal for administrative services. The university also operates research initiatives such as the EU-funded SPOON Citizen Science Lab and provides various scholarship programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Freie Kunst (Free Art) Core artistic degree programme where students develop independent artistic practice across various media including painting, sculpture, video, and performance. Awarded 41 diplomands in 2026.
• Kunstpädagogik (Art Education) Teacher training programme combining artistic practice with pedagogical theory for teaching art in schools.
• Kunst in der Sonderpädagogik (Art in Special Education) Specialised programme training art teachers for special needs education settings.
• Darstellendes Spiel (Performing Arts) Study programme focusing on drama, theatre, and performance, offered jointly with Leibniz-Universität Hannover in a 25-year cooperation.
• Visuelle Kommunikation (Visual Communication) Design programme covering graphic design, communication design, and visual media.
• Design in der digitalen Gesellschaft (Design in Digital Society) Master's programme examining design practices in the context of digital transformation and society.
• Transformation Design Design programme focused on sustainable transformation and systemic design approaches.
• Kunstwissenschaft (Art History) Academic programme in art history and theory, offered at Bachelor and Master levels with PhD possibilities.
• Medienwissenschaften (Media Studies) Academic programme examining media theory, media history, and contemporary media practices.
• Bibliothek (Library) Academic library with approximately 85,000 media units, integrated with the GBV (Gemeinsamer Bibliotheksverbund) and offering OPAC, EZB, DBIS, subito and Stud.IP services to HBK members and external users.
• Mediothek Media collection and viewing facility for audiovisual materials supporting teaching and research.
• 22 Werkstätten (Workshops) 22 specialised workshops for artistic production including Digital Production, Digital Film/Video, Photo Lab, Bronze Casting, Ceramics, Woodworking, Metalworking, Sound Art Lab, Typography, Lithography, Etching and more, with technical staff supporting student projects.
• SPOON Citizen Science Lab EU-funded research project under Horizon Europe investigating sustainable food systems through citizen science methodology, involving 16 European partners across 6 cities and led by the Institut für Designforschung.
• Braunschweig Projects Artist residency and exhibition programme, including the HBK-PROJECTS Curator Fellowship, providing opportunities for emerging artists and curators.
• Kunstmarkt (Annual Art Market) Annual three-day art market at the Montagehalle where works by HBK students and alumni are exhibited and sold; co-organised with the Fördererkreis der HBK Braunschweig e.V. alumni association.
• Forschungsförderung (Research Funding Support) Support services for researchers covering grant applications, EU research programmes (Horizon Europe), and third-party funded projects (Drittmittelprojekte).

Quantifiable outcome

• 41 Freie Kunst graduates in 2026; Kunstmarkt 2024: 700 visitors, 47 of 244 works sold
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration13 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Kunstverein Braunschweig e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Long-standing annual cooperation between HBK Braunschweig and Kunstverein Braunschweig for the Meisterschüler exhibition. The Kunstverein provides exhibition space at Lessingplatz 12, 38100 Braunschweig, for graduating Meisterschüler students to present their work to the public. This partnership provides a structured transition from academic study to professional artistic practice.
• Leibniz-Universität HannovercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 202625-year cooperation in the joint degree programme Darstellendes Spiel (Performing Arts Education). HBK Braunschweig and Leibniz-Universität Hannover jointly offer this programme combining HBK's artistic expertise with Leibniz University's academic teaching qualification.
• Kunstmuseum WolfsburgminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026HBK Braunschweig participated in the Open Area inauguration at Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg on 3 July 2026, presenting its creative diversity through student and faculty work at the museum's new Open Area exhibition space.
• EU Horizon Europe / SPOON Project ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025HBK Braunschweig leads the SPOON Citizen Science Lab in Braunschweig as part of a 4-year EU Horizon Europe research project. The project involves 16 European partners across 6 European cities and is led by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Gerhard Glatzel of the Institut für Designforschung. The project examines food systems transformation through citizen science methodology.
• Wismut GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Wismut GmbH (the state-owned company responsible for environmental remediation of former East German uranium mining sites) loaned industrial objects from the Aue and Bad Schlema uranium mines to artist Ana Alenso for her installation 'Pech und Blende' exhibited at HBK Braunschweig and elsewhere. Wismut GmbH developed a specific safety protocol for handling these objects.
• Niedersächsisches Ministerium für Wissenschaft und Kultur (MWK)coreOthersThe MWK is the responsible supervisory authority for HBK Braunschweig as a public law corporation (Körperschaft des öffentlichen Rechts). MWK oversees academic policy, funding allocation, and institutional governance. HBK participated in the Tag der Niedersachsen 2026 as part of the MWK joint exhibition.
• Rechenzentrum der Ostfalia Hochschule für angewandte WissenschaftencoreTechnology or IntegrationThe Rechenzentrum (computing centre) of Ostfalia University developed and maintains the LIFERAY-based Sonia portal used by HBK. The portal integrates directory services, file management, and print management systems shared between Ostfalia and HBK, demonstrating a shared IT infrastructure model.
• Gemeinsamer Bibliotheksverbund (GBV)coreTechnology or IntegrationHBK Bibliothek is part of the GBV (Gemeinsamer Bibliotheksverbund), a large regional library network in North Germany. This partnership enables interlibrary loan, shared catalogue access, and collective bargaining for electronic resources including access to the Elektronische Zeitschriftenbibliothek (EZB) and Datenbank-Infosystem (DBIS).
• eduroam ConsortiumcoreTechnology or IntegrationHBK Braunschweig participates in the international eduroam federation, enabling students, researchers, and staff to access wireless internet at thousands of participating institutions worldwide using their HBK credentials. This is a standard service for all German universities.
• Fördererkreis der HBK Braunschweig e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe alumni and supporter association co-organises the annual Kunstmarkt event in the Montagehalle. In 2025, the 23rd Kunstmarkt featured 140 artists showing 248 works. The association provides ongoing financial and organisational support for HBK events.
• Stadt Braunschweig - Abteilung Jugendförderung (FiBS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHBK Braunschweig participates in the FiBS (Ferien in Braunschweig) programme, offering creative workshops for children and teenagers aged 12+ during school holidays. The workshops are organised by the city's youth welfare office, with HBK providing workshop facilities and instructors.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Akademie der Bildenden Künste München: Bavarian state academy of fine arts offering Freie Kunst, sculpture and art education programmes. Comparable as a public German art academy with Promotion/Habilitation rights and full workshop infrastructure.
• Kunstakademie Düsseldorf: North Rhine-Westphalian state art academy offering fine arts (Freie Kunst) and related programmes with international prestige. Directly comparable as a public German fine arts academy with doctoral rights.
• Burg Giebichenstein Kunsthochschule Halle: Saxony-Anhalt state art university offering fine arts, design and conservation programmes. Comparable as a public German state art university combining fine arts and design disciplines under a single state-funded institution.
• Universität der Künste Berlin (UdK Berlin): The largest German state art university, offering fine arts, design, music and performing arts programmes. Directly comparable as a public German art university conferring doctorates and providing workshops, library and exhibition infrastructure similar to HBK Braunschweig.
• Hochschule für bildende Künste Hamburg (HFBK Hamburg): State art university in Hamburg providing fine arts, design and time-based media programmes with Promotion right. Closely comparable in mission, scale and state-funder model to HBK Braunschweig.
• Folkwang Universität der Künste: North Rhine-Westphalian state university of the arts covering fine art, design, music and performing arts. Comparable as a public German arts university with Promotion right and multi-disciplinary workshop infrastructure.
• Staatliche Akademie der Bildenden Künste Stuttgart: Baden-Württemberg state art academy offering fine arts, architecture, design and art education programmes. Comparable as a public German state art university with Promotion right and workshop-driven curriculum.
• Kunsthochschule Kassel: Hessian state art university offering fine arts, visual communication and product design. Comparable as a smaller public German art university with Promotion right and similar workshop-driven teaching model.
• weißensee kunsthochschule berlin: Berlin state art university focused on product design, textile design, fashion and visual arts. Comparable as a public German art university with applied design emphasis and Promotion right.

Emerging players

• Hochschule für Gestaltung Offenbach: Hessian state design university with strong focus on product, communication and interaction design. Comparable to HBK's design and Transformation Design programmes, though more design-centric and less traditional fine arts oriented.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xlinkedin.com/company/hbk-braunschweig
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/hbkbraunschweig
• Facebookfacebook.com/hbkbs
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hbk-braunschweig
• Instagraminstagram.com/hbk.braunschweig
• TikToktiktok.com/@hbk.braunschweig

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about HBK Braunschweig