Summer getaways in Bad Gastein, Salzburger Land, also mean the opportunity to enjoy art and culture on the very highest level. You see, every year in the summertime, under the umbrella of the art and culture festival known as sommer.frische.kunst, the program includes numerous top-quality events. Artists from around the world come to this spectacular Belle Époque town in the Alps from July until September in order to show their works, to exhibit them in the historic hydropower station, and to allow themselves to be inspired by Bad Gastein in their future creations.

Hardly any wonder that such an exceptional art and cultural festival has established itself right here, in the form of sommer.frische.kunst Bad Gastein has always held an extraordinary fascination for artists and art lovers.

Whether the brilliant Liza Minnelli, Berlin artist Friedrich Liechtenstein or German actress Nora Tschirner with her band “Prag”: they have all allowed themselves to be inspired by the unique magic of this place. The “Monte Carlo of the Alps”, as Bad Gastein is affectionately nicknamed, certainly has that “special something”. And is now, as ever, a creative melting pot for artists from around the world.

This art festival in Gastein is focused on three major theme areas. At the Academy, renowned artists grant us insights into their work and open up whole new perspectives for participants. The opportunity to gather valuable artistic experiences stands at the forefront for members of the annual group of Artists in Residence. Art also needs its own space, a room to call its own. That said, three locations serve as a gallery for exhibitions and installations.

Art and learning, two themes which are dependent upon one another. Skilled strokes of the paintbrush don’t simply magically happen. How do we best convey our feelings to the canvas or through the picture’s motif. At the Academy during sommer.frische.kunst, knowledge and experience are shared, in order to provide the necessary tools for artistic creativity.