[2][3][4][5] In 1963 the Conservatoire of the Province of Styria was elevated to an Austrian state institution – the Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Graz.
As a result of the 1970 Kunsthochschulorganisationsgesetz [Universities of the Arts Organisation Act] the academy became the Hochschule für Musik und darstellende Kunst in Graz.
In September 2009, academic and artistic doctoral schools were established at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz.
[18] Due to an appeal by the Equal Opportunities Committee relating to alleged discrimination against Rector Freismuth (who was still in office) on the basis of gender, age and ideology, from 1 October 2018 an interim rectorship was instated under the leadership of Executive Vice-Rector Eike Straub.
His team consists of Vice-Rectors Gerd Grupe (Research, Gender and Diversity), Barbara Simandl (Finance and HR administration), Constanze Wimmer (Academic and international Affairs) and Marie-Theres Holler (Infrastructure and Digitalisation).
[20] The Palais Meran has been the main building of the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz since 1963 and is used not only as a venue for events, but also by several institutes and administrative bodies.
It was built between 1841 and 1843 in the late classical style by Georg Hauberisser senior on the grounds of a former Meierhof, (a building occupied by the estate administrator) and was the residence of Styrian Habsburg Archduke Johann.
In 2013/14 the building was renovated based on plans by architect Johannes Wohofsky, and extended with a new glass foyer giving a view of the old facade.
The exterior shell in front of the facade, made from gold-coloured, perforated aluminium sheet creates a visual design feature and provides shade from the sun.
[31][32] Other KUG facilities can be found at Brandhofgasse 18, Elisabethstrasse 11, Moserhofgasse 34 and 39–41, Heinrichstrasse 78, Inffeldgasse 10 and 12, Leonhardstrasse 18 and 21, Lichtenfelsgasse 21, Maiffredygasse 12b, Merangasse 38, Mozartgasse 3 and Petersgasse 116.