Hochschule für Künste im Sozialen Ottersberg

Name

Hochschule für Künste im Sozialen Ottersberg

Legal name

Hochschulgesellschaft für Künste im Sozialen gGmbH

Website

https://hks-ottersberg.de

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education (Arts and Social Practice)

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (61161), Fine Arts Schools (611610)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Personal Enrichment & Creative Arts Programs (EDAAAEAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Visual Arts (Drawing, Painting, Illustration) (EDAAAGAA), Advanced Writing, Literature & Humanities Tutoring (Advanced composition, rhetoric, debate) (EDANAKAG), Special Needs & Inclusive Learning Trade (Dyslexia, ADHD, ASD Supports) (EDAGAIAL)

Keywords

• Arts-based higher education
• Art therapy programs
• Dance and theater pedagogy
• Social work education
• Creative writing studies

Headquarters

HQ city

Ottersberg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

HKS Ottersberg is a private German university offering bachelor's and master's degree programs that integrate artistic disciplines with social practice. The core portfolio includes the unified 8-semester B.A./B.F.A. program "Künste im Sozialen" with five specialization tracks (Art Therapy, Free Art, Social Work, Performative Arts – Dance and Theater Pedagogy, and Creative Writing as Social Practice) and the M.A./M.F.A. in Arts and Community. Supporting offerings include orientation studies (einstieg+), inclusive study programs (ARTplus), portfolio preparation (ArtCompass), continuing education (hks+), and associated research institutes.

Product overview

Hochschule für Künste im Sozialen Ottersberg (HKS) is an educational institution offering a unified portfolio of undergraduate and graduate programs centered on arts in social contexts. The core offerings include the Künste im Sozialen B.A./B.F.A. (8-semester undergraduate program with multiple specialization tracks: Art Therapy, Free Art, Social Work, Performative Arts, and Creative Writing) and the Arts and Community M.A./M.F.A. (2-4 semester graduate program). Supporting modules include einstieg+ orientation studies, ARTplus inclusive studies, and ArtCompass portfolio preparation. The institution also provides continuing education through hks+ programs, masterclasses, and maintains research facilities including the Institute for Art Therapy and Research, EchoRaum, and various art studios. The university operates the Stud.IP learning management system for course administration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Arts and Community (M.A./M.F.A.): Master's program in Arts and Community
• einstieg+
• ARTplus
• hks+

Products and services

• Künste im Sozialen (B.A./B.F.A.) Undergraduate program (8 semesters) combining arts with social work, available in multiple focuses including Art Therapy, Free Art, Social Work, Performative Arts, and Creative Writing. Designed for prospective students seeking bachelor's level education at the intersection of art and social engagement.
• Arts and Community (M.A./M.F.A.) Graduate program (2 semesters full-time or 4 semesters part-time) focused on arts and community engagement. For graduate students pursuing master's level education in arts and community practice.
• Schwerpunkt Kunsttherapie (Art Therapy) Specialization track within Künste im Sozialen B.A. program specializing in the therapeutic application of artistic practices. For students pursuing clinical art therapy training.
• Schwerpunkt Freie Kunst (Free Art) Specialization track within Künste im Sozialen B.F.A. program emphasizing independent artistic practice and creation. For students focusing on free visual arts.
• Schwerpunkt Soziale Arbeit (Social Work) Specialization track combining social work with artistic approaches, with NC-free (no grade-based restriction) admission. Available as dual or full-time study option.
• Schwerpunkt Performative Künste – Tanz- und Theaterpädagogik Specialization track within Künste im Sozialen B.A. focused on dance and theater pedagogy within performative arts.
• Schwerpunkt Kreatives Schreiben als Soziale Praxis Specialization track within Künste im Sozialen B.A. focused on creative writing as a form of social practice.
• einstieg+ Orientierungsstudium Orientation program allowing prospective students to explore the university's offerings for up to two semesters without admission testing. For prospective students wanting to explore the university before committing to a degree program.
• ARTplus (Inklusive Hochschule) Inclusive university program where students with and without disabilities learn together in an integrated higher education environment.
• hks+ Weiterbildungsprogramm (Continuing Education) Continuing education programs including Clinical Anthroposophic Art Therapy, Heilpraktiker für Psychotherapie (naturopath for psychotherapy), and Kreative Agilität (creative agility) training. For professionals seeking continuing education and advanced training.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Flecken Ottersberg (Municipality)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Flecken Ottersberg for annual Kunstpreis (art prize) for contemporary art and Nachwuchsförderpreis for emerging HKS students. Partnership supports local arts scene and student recognition.
• Martinsclub BremencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint collaboration for inclusive children's and youth art programs at Arberger Mühle. The partnership creates inclusive artistic experiences for children (from age 8) and youth with and without disabilities.
• Heimat- und Geschichtsverein WorpswedecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on the 'Beziehungsweisen Worpswede' project researching local narratives and relationships in the artist colony of Worpswede, involving community members and various local organizations.
• Gemeinde WorpswedecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in 'Beziehungsweisen Worpswede' project, contributing to community research and cultural development.
• ERASMUS+ Partner UniversitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExchange partnerships with 17 European universities including University of Primorska (Slovenia), Accademia Nazionale di Danza (Italy), NHL Stenden Hogeschool (Netherlands), Umeå Universitet (Sweden), Den Danske Scenekunstskole (Denmark), and others for student and staff mobility.
• Niedersächsisches Ministerium für Wissenschaft und KulturcoreOthersState ministry serving as supervisory authority for the university, providing regulatory oversight and funding.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Folkwang Universität der Künste: German state arts university combining music, theater, dance, design, and fine arts. Comparable for dance, theater pedagogy, and performing arts programs that overlap with HKS's Performative Künste track.
• Universität der Künste Berlin: One of Germany's largest and most established arts universities, covering fine arts, music, design, and performing arts. Operates in the same regulatory and labor market for arts higher education but at materially larger scale and breadth.
• Kunstakademie Düsseldorf: Historic German art academy with B.F.A./M.F.A. structure and freie Kunst focus. Comparable in awarding free-art qualifications and competing for similar student segments, though without HKS's social-work emphasis.

Emerging players

• Hochschule Macromedia: Private German university with multiple campuses and creative program portfolio. Comparable as a private, tuition-funded Hochschule with applied/creative programs, but not a direct arts competitor.
• SRH Hochschule Heidelberg: Large private German university with multiple campuses and applied programs. Comparable as a private, state-recognized higher education provider, though not arts-focused.

Regional players

• Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien (MDW): Austrian state arts university in the German-speaking market covering music, performing arts, and film. Comparable for dance and theater pedagogy programs, though with a more performance-and-music orientation.
• Kunsthochschule Kassel (Uni Kassel FB Kunst): German art university offering fine arts and art education degrees. Comparable as a regionally anchored German arts Hochschule competing for arts students within the same national admissions market.
• Zürcher Hochschule der Künste (ZHdK): Major German-speaking arts university in Switzerland covering design, art, music, theater, and dance. Comparable as a German-language arts-degree institution, though not directly competing for the same students.
• Hochschule für Bildende Künste Hamburg (HFBK): Public fine arts university in Hamburg sharing HKS's Hamburg presence (levelone facility). Comparable as a German fine arts degree-granting institution, though more focused on free art without the social-work integration.

Direct peers

• Alanus Hochschule: Private German university with Waldorf/anthroposophic orientation offering arts, art therapy, and social-work programs across B.A./M.A. levels. Direct comparable in scale, structure, and arts-in-social-practice profile.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@HochschulefürKünsteimSozialen
• Instagraminstagram.com/hksottersberg
• TikToktiktok.com/@hks.ottersberg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hochschule-f%C3%BCr-k%C3%BCnste-im-sozialen-ottersberg

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Hochschule für Künste im Sozialen Ottersberg