new member | ulupubih

23.05.2026 Announcements

ICoD is pleased to welcome ULUPUBiH, Bosnia and Herzegovina, as our new Professional Member. ULUPUBiH (Association of Applied Artists and Designers in Bosnia and Herzegovina) is the leading professional association of applied artists and designers in Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

ABOUT

Founded in 1954, the organisation brings together professionals from a wide range of disciplines including graphic design, product design, photography, interior design, scenography and costume design, fashion design, new media, conservation and restoration, and design theory.

For more than seventy years, ULUPUBiH has actively contributed to the development of visual culture, applied arts and design through exhibitions, publications, educational programmes and public advocacy. The organisation supports both established and emerging practitioners while promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, socially responsible design and the preservation of cultural heritage.

During the 1992–1995 war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, members of the association continued organising exhibitions and artistic actions, helping preserve cultural continuity during a period of crisis.

Today, ULUPUBiH remains an important platform for professional exchange and public dialogue, advocating for a stronger role of designers and artists within cultural institutions, urban development and contemporary social processes.

HISTORICAL TIES WITH ICoD

ULUPUBiH has historical ties to Icograda and Icsid through former memberships and international professional exchange. The organisation maintained connections with international design networks and continued following the development of ICoD and the global design community.

Due to long-term financial instability and the absence of permanent institutional funding, continuous membership could not be maintained during certain periods. Nevertheless, ULUPUBiH remained committed to international cooperation and professional exchange.

Representatives and former members of the organisation participated in international professional events and programmes connected to the wider ICoD network.

MEMBERSHIP STRUCTURE

ULUPUBiH currently gathers approximately 335 members from across Bosnia and Herzegovina, including around 148 professional members.

Membership consists primarily of individual professional artists and designers working across a broad range of applied arts and design disciplines. The organisation includes practitioners in graphic design, product design, photography, interior architecture, scenography and costume design, fashion design, unique design, new media, conservation and restoration, and design theory.

Members are organised through ten professional sections that encourage interdisciplinary exchange and collaboration.

ULUPUBiH includes both active professional members and associate members who maintain affiliation with the organisation. Membership is based on professional criteria, including portfolio review, professional experience and contributions to the field of applied arts and design.

The organisation supports both established professionals and emerging generations of artists and designers.

PROGRAMMES and EVENTS

ULUPUBiH organises exhibitions, lectures, workshops, publications, public discussions and professional programmes throughout the year with the aim of promoting applied arts and design within contemporary society.

One of its most significant activities is the annual Collegium Artisticum exhibition, one of the largest and longest-running exhibitions of contemporary art and design in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Organised in collaboration with other professional art associations, the exhibition gathers hundreds of artists and attracts thousands of visitors annually.

Since 2019, ULUPUBiH has also operated its own gallery space in Sarajevo, which functions as a platform for exhibitions, workshops, presentations and public engagement.

Publishing activities include exhibition catalogues, books and research-based projects dedicated to the history and development of design culture in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Recent initiatives include the “RetroPerspective 70” project marking seventy years of the organisation’s work through exhibitions, archival research and the development of a digital archive platform.

Through its programmes, ULUPUBiH promotes interdisciplinary collaboration, cultural dialogue and socially responsible design practices.

VISION and STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

ULUPUBiH aims to strengthen the role of applied arts and design within contemporary society by expanding its activities beyond traditional exhibition formats and developing stronger connections between designers, public institutions, education and industry.

One of the organisation’s strategic goals is greater involvement of designers and artists in decision-making processes related to public space, urban development, cultural policies and socially responsible design initiatives. ULUPUBiH advocates for the recognition of design as an important cultural, educational and developmental resource within Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In the coming years, the organisation plans to further develop international collaborations, educational programmes, publishing and research activities, as well as digital archives documenting the history of applied arts and design in the region.

ULUPUBiH also aims to strengthen support for emerging generations of designers and artists through mentorship, interdisciplinary projects and increased public visibility of contemporary design practices.

Through these initiatives, the organisation seeks to contribute to a more inclusive, culturally engaged and sustainable future for design.

LINKS