• Graduation

    Certificate

  • ECTS-Points

    24

  • Learning format

    Blended Learning

  • Duration

    2 semesters, part time

  • Start

    Winter semester 2026/27

  • Costs

    EUR 3.500,--

  • Admission requirements

    According to curriculum

  • Language

    German or English

  • Study location

    Krems (AT)

A European blended-learning program for professionals who mediate, interpret, and connect — bringing content of all kinds to audiences through digital, physical, and hybrid formats. Built around the conviction that exhibition development is not just about making exhibits, but about finding novel ways to build meaningful connections between ideas and people.

Delivered in intensive low-residency blocks in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage region of Wachau. Each module available as a standalone microcredential.

Next intake: Winter Semester 2026/27, including the Traveling Exhibition Lab — October 23–24, 2026.
Wendy Coones

This program is for professionals who want to move beyond traditional formats — and for the unexpected applicant who will take these methods somewhere entirely new.

Wendy Coones, M.Ed

Academic Lead

Cultural Heritage & Museum Professionals

Target Roles: Curators, exhibition developers, educators, and digital heritage staff.

This program is designed for those seeking to move beyond traditional museum studies. We provide the crossmedia methods and communication expertise needed to connect heritage content with modern digital storytelling.

  • Key Focus: Strengthening narrative strategies and public engagement.
  • Outcome: Improved professional credentials for career advancement.

Science Communication & Research Outreach

Target Roles: Communications officers, outreach coordinators, and researchers.

Ideal for professionals in research institutions and science centers who need to translate complex research into accessible, story-driven formats.

  • Grant Support: Specifically addresses dissemination obligations for Horizon Europe and Erasmus+ projects.
  • Outcome: Skills to design interactive public outcomes beyond traditional lectures.

Creative Industry & Design Professionals

Target Roles: UX/UI designers, scenographers, media artists, and creative coders.

We provide a bridge for designers looking to transition their technical skills into the cultural and institutional sector.

  • Strategic Shift: Move from digital content production to narrative design in a museum/public context.
  • Outcome: A professional portfolio expanded with high-impact cultural sector formats.

Makers & Mavericks

Target Roles: Career-changers, cross-disciplinary practitioners, and makers from any field where audiences, experience, and ideas intersect.

We welcome unexpected applicants — the chef curating a tasting menu, the game designer building a gallery into play, the community organizer designing public engagement. Any work involving audiences, experience, and meaning-making will find its methods here.

  • Key Focus: Applying crossmedia exhibition thinking beyond the traditional cultural sector — into food, sport, urban space, independent practice, or fields where experience design has no name yet.
  • Transferability: The program's blended, low-residency format makes it accessible to practitioners based anywhere in the world, including regions where exhibition-making is not yet an established professional field.
  • Outcome: A recognized European university credential and a methodology you can take back into your own context and use in ways we haven't thought of yet.

FAQs - Is this for me?

What is crossmedia exhibition development?

What is the Crossmedia Exhibition Development certificate program?

Is this program suitable for museum and cultural heritage professionals?

Is this program relevant for designers, multimedia creators, or creative practitioners?

Can this program help me create public‑facing outcomes for scientific or academic research?

Is this the same program previously offered at 'Danube University Krems'?

FAQs - Can I DO this?

What skills will I develop during the program?

How is the program delivered, and where do the intensive blocks take place?

Can individual modules be taken as microcredentials, and is the certificate stackable?

Can I use this credit toward a full Master's degree?

Can international professionals participate?

Can students from other universities participate through Erasmus+ mobility?

How much does the program cost, and are there funding options?

What are the admission requirements?

FAQs - How do I start?

How do I apply?

What professional advantages does this certificate provide?

Curators and exhibition developers. Science communicators and research outreach coordinators. UX designers, scenographers, and media artists. Career-changers, international practitioners, and the occasional maverick from a field where exhibition-making doesn't exist yet, but probably should.

Intensive Seminar Blocks

~ Each module or course can also be booked as a microcredential (MC)


Block One: October 19 - 24, 2026
Oct 19 - 22 (MCP: Knowledge transfer and storytelling in the cultural and scientific sector)
Oct 20 + Online (MC: Audience Interaction)
Oct 23 (MCP: Practice in Arts & Cultural Studies)
Oct 23-24 (Elective / MCP: Traveling Exhibition Lab)

Block Two: January 18 - 22, 2027
January 18 - 20 (MCP: Media Convergence in the Digital Age)
January 21 - 22 (MCP: Qualitative & Quantitative Audience Research)
January 21 (MCP: Practice in Arts and Cultural Studies - Conception & Planning)

Arts and Culture Lab (elective module)
October 23 - 24 (MCP: Arts and Culture Lab with a focus on traveling exhibition development)

ECTS
  • Contents

    This course begins with an introduction to exhibition theory, offering historical perspectives and key concepts that have shaped the field. Students will delve into the mechanisms of knowledge transfer within cultural and scientific sectors, examining how exhibitions serve as powerful mediums for disseminating information. Through detailed case studies, the course highlights successful examples of knowledge transfer via exhibitions. A significant portion of the course is dedicated to crossmedia exhibitions, exploring their development, implementation, and impact as both applied research and cultural practice. Practical applications are also covered, equipping students with the skills to design and evaluate exhibitions focused on effective knowledge transfer.

  • Contents

    This course builds on theoretical foundations to explore the practical applications of knowledge transfer and storytelling. Students will analyze real-world examples of crossmedia exhibitions, gaining insights into their development as applied research and cultural practice. The course includes a comparative study of various approaches to crossmedia storytelling within the cultural and creative sectors, allowing students to understand the nuances and effectiveness of different methods. This practical focus ensures that students can see how theoretical ideas are implemented, providing valuable insights for creating engaging narratives in museum and exhibition settings.

  • Contents

    This course explores the dynamic media theories and the mechanisms driving media convergence in today’s digital world. Students will be equipped with analytical tools to examine current media practices and strategies for knowledge transfer, catering to a broad range of disciplines within and beyond the exhibition sector. The course emphasizes the importance of adapting media presentations for diverse audiences, addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by our interconnected world. Through case studies and practical examples, students will gain insights into the development and implementation of effective media strategies.

  • Contents

    This course offers practical insights into the application of convergent media methods within exhibition settings. Students will be guided through the unique challenges and opportunities of developing media presentations, with a focus on creating impactful knowledge transfer and experiences for scientific, artistic, and commercial displays. The course emphasizes the importance of crafting interpretative strategies that engage and educate diverse audiences. Through hands-on projects and case studies, students will learn to distinguish different types of interpretation and exhibitions, and develop applications that integrate convergent media methods effectively.

  • Contents

    This course provides students with the analytical tools to assess various qualitative and quantitative audience research methods. Emphasizing application in the arts and cultural studies context, it prepares students to conduct meaningful audience studies that inform and enhance the cultural experience. Students will explore different research methodologies, learning to judge their effectiveness and applicability in various contexts. The course includes practical exercises in implementing selected visitor research methods within the exhibition context, ensuring that students gain hands-on experience in conducting audience research.

  • Contents

    This course investigates methodological approaches to audience interaction tailored for contemporary cultural settings. Students are encouraged to evaluate the effectiveness and implications of various interaction methods, ranging from participative to de-central engagement. The course explores how these methods foster the creation of compelling and inclusive audience experiences. Through case studies and practical examples, students will learn to identify and compare different concepts for participation in both analog and digital spaces of collection institutions.

  • Contents

    This course lays the groundwork for thriving in immersive professional projects within the arts and cultural sectors. Students will learn to design and implement praxis projects, drawing on scientific principles for their conception and development. The course emphasizes the importance of blending academic rigor with practical relevance, ensuring that students are well-prepared for real-world applications. By focusing on the ability to conceptualize and plan projects, students will be equipped to lead initiatives, manage teams, and execute projects in various professional settings, including cultural institutions, non-profits, and entrepreneurial ventures.

  • Contents

    In this course, students will undertake the creation of a personal project, applying their knowledge to the Arts and Cultural Studies. The course covers project conceptualization, operational planning, and internal perspective management, fostering a comprehensive understanding of project dynamics. By developing a personal project, students will hone their organizational and creative thinking skills, which are in high demand across various industries. The course emphasizes the importance of considering individual contexts and adapting processes and sequences to specific situations in the field of art and cultural studies.

  • Contents

    This course offers a structured framework for students to conduct a supervised independent study on a topic of personal interest within Arts and Cultural Studies. Emphasis is placed on methodological soundness, depth of inquiry, and clarity of outcomes, culminating in a reflective presentation. The course supports the development of skills necessary for independent research and reflection, which are beneficial for roles that require self-directed work, such as consultancy, journalism, policy development, entrepreneurship, or any area within the cultural sector where self-guided work is prevalent. Students will engage in the design, negotiation, fulfillment, and presentation of a comprehensive learning contract, ensuring a methodologically sound approach and clear result criteria.

  • Contents

    Focusing on academic writing, this course challenges students to delve into the core concepts, terminology, and methodologies of Arts and Cultural Studies. It encourages in-depth research and contextual analysis, enhancing scholarly discourse and personal academic pursuits. The course covers key concepts and terminology, providing a solid foundation for individual academic exploration. Students will examine the intricate contexts of Arts and Cultural Studies, considering their scholarly, historical, institutional, and societal dimensions. This comprehensive approach ensures that students develop strong research and writing skills, which are crucial for positions involving content creation, academic publishing, education, or communication roles where articulating complex ideas is essential.

  • Contents

    The internship course bridges academic theory and practical application, allowing students to gain hands-on experience in Arts and Cultural institutions. It emphasizes the translation of classroom knowledge into real-world skills, tailored to students’ career aspirations, and offers insights into various operational structures. This practical experience is invaluable, as it can lead to employment opportunities in the field of the internship or provide a competitive edge in related cultural and creative sector positions. Students will apply theoretical knowledge from crossmedia exhibition development in practice and reflect on their practical experiences, aligning them with personal career interests and the internal perspectives of Arts & Cultural institutions.

  • Contents

    This collaborative lab environment offers students the invaluable opportunity to immerse themselves in an intensive active learning environment that encourages collaboration. Students work in teams to tackle practical challenges in Arts & Culture under the mentorship of experienced practitioners in dynamic environments. The course emphasizes the development of collaboration and strategy development skills, which are essential in interdisciplinary teams, community arts projects, and roles that require adaptation to diverse perspectives and societal needs. Through hands-on projects and real-world scenarios, students will learn to reflect on teamwork effectiveness and utilize the strengths of each individual member. They will also develop and evaluate strategies that enable the effective integration of Arts & Culture within various sectors, including academia, creative industries, and broader society.

Admission requirements

Applicants are welcome from a wide range of professional backgrounds. Admission pathways include a university entrance qualification, completed training at NQF Level IV, or relevant professional experience.

Prior exhibition experience is not required. All applicants take part in a short admission interview to discuss their goals and confirm program fit.

Admission process

  1. Contact us to clarify your expectations of the study program and check the admission requirements
  2. Online application (please enter the study code UM 992 140 in the online tool).
  3. Carrying out the admission procedure (interview with the study program director)
  4. Admission to the study program

Direct Link to Application Portal

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