ECAL+ Foundation

The ECAL+ Foundation is a public-interest foundation that supports the development and international visibility of ECAL/University of Art and Design Lausanne. It accompanies educational, cultural, and research projects while strengthening the ties between the school, its students, its alumni, and its institutional or private partners. Through its actions, the Foundation helps maintain a high-level environment for teaching and creation and fosters the emergence of new generations of designers and artists.

Founded in 2007 through a joint initiative of the Canton of Vaud, private partners, and Pierre Keller, then Director of ECAL, the ECAL+ Foundation was established to support the school’s growth and international ambitions. It played a key role in financing and realizing ECAL’s move into its current building in Renens—an emblematic site that brings together all departments and encourages interdisciplinary exchange. Since then, the Foundation has continued its commitment by supporting ECAL’s strategic development and strengthening its ties with academic, cultural, and economic communities.

Among the programs supported by the ECAL+ Foundation, the Master of Advanced Studies in Design for Luxury and Craftsmanship holds a special place. Developed in partnership with leading luxury houses and exceptional artisans, this program highlights the dialogue between traditional craftsmanship and contemporary innovation.
 
Several alumni of this Master’s program now stand out for the quality of their projects and professional careers, confirming the importance of this curriculum within the international design landscape. Discover the notable alumni of the MAS.

Discover notable alumni

In memory of Pierre Keller, ECAL Director from 1995 to 2011, the ECAL+ Foundation awards the Pierre Keller Prize each year. This distinction honors a particularly committed diploma project, reflecting the values of artistic rigor, curiosity, and openness that Pierre Keller instilled in the school. The prize is both a tribute to his legacy and a form of support for emerging talents.
 

2025 – Inès Riber , BA Photography graduate
2024 – Eduardo Altamirano Castro , MA Product Design graduate
2023 – Ulises Lozano , BA Photography graduate
2022 – Morgane Cachin , BA Graphic Design graduate
2021 – Rayane Jemaa , BA Media & Interaction Design graduate
2020 – Tara Ulmann , BA Photography graduate

Supporting ECAL means contributing to the future of creation. By making a donation to the ECAL+ Foundation, you actively participate in the funding of scholarships, innovative educational programs, and research projects that enable the school and its students to continue to excel on the international stage.
 
As a public-interest foundation, the ECAL+ Foundation may receive donations from private individuals, companies, or institutions. Contributions notably support scholarships, specific educational programs, and research projects.
Donations may, depending on the applicable legal framework, benefit from tax advantages. They also allow patrons to provide long-term support to a leading institution in the fields of contemporary art and design.