Academy of Fine Arts in the Czech Republic. Admission to the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague (AVU)
The Academy of Fine Arts in Prague (Akademie výtvarných umění v Praze) is one of the first creative schools, created on the territory of the Czech Republic. It was founded according to the imperial decree of October 10, 1799 on the initiative of the Society of Patriotic Friends of Art, and opened the following year on the basis of a gallery and art school.
In 1896, the Academy became state-owned, as a result of which departments of sculpture, architecture and graphics were opened here.
Master's degree:
The academy does not have bachelor's or continuing master's programs - only 6-year (architect - 4 years) master's programs for school graduates are offered.
World-famous sculptors, artists and art historians studied at the academy, and today, the school annually graduates more than 350 specialists in various creative fields. This does not in any way affect the reputation or quality of education, but, on the contrary, adds to the popularity of the university, since each student works individually with teachers. However, there is no need to talk about competition for admission - the most talented and diligent students study here.
Faculties of the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague
Painting/Free Art
Drawing/Graphics
Sculpture/Free Art
Intermedia
Drawing/restoration of paintings
Sculpture/sculpture restoration
Architecture
Entrance exams:
The main factor for admission to creative universities is not the availability good grades and language proficiency, but only talent and prospects for its development.
Applications for admission are submitted before the end of December, and entrance exams usually take place in January-February and consist of two parts. In the first part, the portfolios of applicants are assessed, and this is done anonymously (names are not indicated on the portfolio). Participants with the most interesting works are admitted to the “talent” exam - the second stage, which consists of several stages:
Drawing or plastic according to the real model
Composition on suggested topics in preferred technique, general cultural knowledge test
Free composition in your preferred technique
Special test task, interview.
Official website: http://www.avu.cz
Prague Academy of Fine Arts- one of the most prestigious higher education institutions educational institutions, specializing in training artists. It is the oldest academy in the Czech Republic, founded at the end of the 18th century. The university provides training in two educational programs: master's and postgraduate studies. The duration of master's training is 6 years, with the exception of the specialty "Architecture", the training for which takes 4 years. The period of training for postgraduate students lasts for 3 years. Within the framework of the master's training program, there are 8 specialties, including not only classical areas, but also modern programs, such as, for example, “new media”. As part of postgraduate study, applicants have the opportunity to choose one of three available specialties. It is worth noting that this university provides training only in Czech.
Specialties offered within master's degree:
Intermedial creativity;
Painting (free creativity);
Architectural art;
Sculpture – restoration of works of sculpture;
Drawing, graphics;
New Media;
Sculpture (free creativity);
Painting – restoration of paintings.
Graduate students have the opportunity to master the following specialties:
Fine Arts;
Architectural art;
Restoration of works of fine art.
The entrance test is carried out in two stages. At the first stage, the commission reviews the applicant’s portfolio. At the second stage, applicants will be asked to pass a creative exam. Detailed information about the admission procedure, entrance exams and their contents are posted on the official website of the university:
The Academy strives to preserve the best of its famous traditions, among which are the cultivation of talent and the encouragement of freedom, ingenuity and imagination, including intellectual cooperation between teachers and students, their identification with universities, and the productive use of the Academy as a whole. Today, the Academy constantly analyzes the quality of its faculties, which allows it to take places in the international arena.
The Academy of Performing Arts will continue to play a role in shaping a Unified National and Cultural Identity through its students to ensure the continuity of cultural identity. Although the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague celebrated its sixty-fifth anniversary in 2010, it will remain young, lively and full of energy.
Faculties:
Theater Department (DAMU)
The theater department of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague is modern educational center art aimed at liberal arts education creative individuality, the ability to combine their knowledge of theatrical practice, processes and styles of creative experimentation. The most prominent personalities of Czech theater life and teachers from abroad teach here. The faculty has a large number of external contacts, as well as internships within the EU outside of it. Graduates of the faculty are employed in leading theaters in the Czech Republic, working in independent theater groups, employed as theater artists, theater critics, directors, teachers in a broad sense as authors.
The Metropolitan Academy of Fine Arts is the name of the university in Prague, which is the oldest currently operating art education institution in the Czech Republic.
At the university you can take studio programs - both master's and doctoral degrees - and receive higher education in seven specialties. These are sculpture, painting, their restoration, architectural design, graphics and drawing, new media, multimedia.
To ensure continuous student learning, the Academy, in addition to educational activities, works in the artistic and scientific research fields. This university plays an important cultural role and respects traditions, influencing the cultural environment and the development of society.
From the history of the Academy
The idea to open an art academy in Prague appeared during the Baroque period. IN early XVIII centuries, several Prague painters tried to open such an establishment, but nothing came of it. At the end of the century, the state became concerned about the arts, and the Patriotic Association of Friends of Art was organized. Its members opened a gallery, and a little later - a drawing academy. In 1799, the emperor issued a decree that created a new educational institution. It started working the following year.
The Drawing Academy was supplemented by a landscape school and a graphic workshop. In the middle of the last century, architecture and the theory of fine arts were introduced into the education program.
The painter Julius Marzhak thoroughly reformed the activities of the Academy. At his suggestion, Vaclav Brozek and Vojtech Ginais began teaching there, he opened a sculpture school, led by Josef Myslbek, and also initiated the nationalization of the institution. This happened in 1896.
In 1910, the Academy included the architecture studio of J. Kotera and the graphic school of M. Shvabinsky, which increased the educational capabilities of the institution. In 1926, the institution became the first in the country to adopt a Charter high school arts, and in 1945 the restoration school of B. Slansky was opened there.
In 1968, changes in education were unsuccessful. In the early nineties, rector M. Knizhak changed the composition of teachers, the structure of the Academy itself and the concept educational process. Under him, a studio for the restoration of sculptural works and a studio for new media appeared.
In 1998, the institution received the status of a state university.
Studying at the Academy
Throughout the history of the institution, famous painters taught there, and the artists who passed through it have determined the appearance of the national visual culture of the Czech Republic for two centuries. The nature of study depended on the characteristics of the historical period: sometimes it was advanced, sometimes it obeyed the dictates of the state, losing touch with current trends.
Conservative rules reigned at the university until 1990. After the institution was reformed, traditional studios were supplemented with modern ones - painting, multimedia, sculpture-installation and conceptual studios appeared. Today, students are taught both using classical methods and through experienced ones.
The main principle of teaching is the focus of teachers, schools and lectures on the problems of contemporary art. Each student's work is exhibited in his own gallery, the university employs 58 teachers, three dozen doctoral students and ten times as many students.
Buildings and structure of the Academy
The establishment occupies five buildings. The main building is a building built at the turn of the last century in the Art Nouveau style. The construction project was developed specifically for the Academy by Václav Roštlapil, and the interior design was thought out by Jan Kotera. The building is considered a cultural monument.
Near the main building there is a school of architecture, which occupies a separate building. It was erected in the twenties of the last century according to the project of the same Kotera, developed in collaboration with Josef Gochar. The premises of this building are occupied by the architecture school itself, a new media studio and an academic research institute. And this building has the status of a cultural monument.
There is a modern gallery in Prague-Holešovice. This building, designed by Antoni Wichl, was erected in 1891 for the anniversary national exhibition. This building houses graphic and sculpture studios, a graphic workshop, as well as restoration workshops for restoring sculpture and painting. Evening drawing classes are also organized here for free students. Above the entrance to the building hangs a plaque of gratitude in honor of Joseph Hlavka.
In the Vinohrady area there is the Chalon studio, where master classes are held by university advisers and visiting teachers. This building is L. Chalon’s personal studio, which is divided into several rooms for different purposes.
On Zaitsova Street there is another academic building, which was built in 1902, when Auguste Rodin came to Prague with an exhibition. A building was built for his work, which now serves as a studio where a preparatory school of drawing and modeling for freshmen operates. This building is a cultural monument.
Prague Academy of Fine Arts – contemporary educational institution, which simultaneously solves the problems of contemporary art and preserves the traditions of national culture.
How to get there
To get to the attraction you need to take the tram. The stop is called “Letenskaya Square” (Letenské náměstí) - daytime routes No. 1, 8, 12, 25, 26 and night routes No. 91 and 96 go there.
The Academy strives to preserve the best of its famous traditions, among which are the cultivation of talent and the encouragement of freedom, ingenuity and imagination, including intellectual cooperation between teachers and students, their identification with universities, and the productive use of the Academy as a whole. Today, the Academy constantly analyzes the quality of its faculties, which allows it to take places in the international arena.
The Academy of Performing Arts will continue to play a role in shaping a Unified National and Cultural Identity through its students to ensure the continuity of cultural identity. Although the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague celebrated its sixty-fifth anniversary in 2010, it will remain young, lively and full of energy.
Faculties:
Theater Department (DAMU)
The Theater Faculty of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague is a modern arts educational center aimed at the humanities education of creative individuality, the ability to integrate their knowledge of theatrical practice, processes and styles of creative experimentation. The most prominent personalities of Czech theater life and teachers from abroad teach here. The faculty has a large number of external contacts, as well as internships within the EU outside of it. Graduates of the faculty are employed in leading theaters in the Czech Republic, working in independent theater groups, employed as theater artists, theater critics, directors, teachers in a broad sense as authors.