Kuvataideakatemia / Finland

General Info

Bringing together tradition and the future

The Finnish Academy of Fine Arts – or ‘Kuvataideakatemia’ as we are called in Finnish – is the only university in Finland specialising in fine arts. Established in 1848, the Academy has a long tradition in the arts and education. Internationally renowned for excellence in fine arts, the Academy brings together students and staff who share a remarkably extensive variety of interests and practices.

The Academy offers both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Fine Arts as well as the degree of Doctor of Fine Arts. We provide broad theoretical and practical training for those aspiring to be practising artists via the following programmes: Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture, and Time and Space Arts (further divided into Moving Image, Photography, and Site and Situation Specific Arts).

One of the Academy’s goals is to combine traditions and new trends in contemporary art. We encourage our students to develop their own work with individualised tutorials and technical support designed to meet their individual needs. The Academy boasts a unique line-up of teachers, most of whom are first-rate artists of both Finnish and international origin.

There are approximately 270 students – 17 per cent of whom are international – pursuing their education as artists at the Academy. Many of our degree students take advantage of the various exchange programmes or bilateral agreements available with foreign art universities and spend a term or two abroad. In addition, students may apply to further develop their skills and experience at the Academy’s studio in Berlin, and we also maintain wide-ranging contacts with numerous art museums and galleries, festivals, artists and curators round the world with which we co-operate annually on a number of exhibitions and projects.

The Academy’s recently refurbished facilities feature excellent amenities designed to encourage our students’ creative and technical development, including individual studio space for all students.

The Academy’s three galleries enjoy a high reputation within the fine arts community in Finland and provide students with opportunities to exhibit their work in a real gallery environment. A small but lively community, we offer ample opportunities for national and international networking for the artists of the future.

Specialized Areas

Painting, Printmaking, Time and Space art (Moving Image, Photography and Site and Situation Specific Arts)

Number of Students

279

Coordinator Address

Riitta Salmi
Finnish Academy of Fine Arts
Kaikukatu 4
00530 Helsinki
Finland

Coordinator Email

riitta.salmi@kuva.fi

Accomodation

Stadion Hostel, Pohjoinen Stadionintie 3 B, 00250 Helsinki, www.stadionhostel.com
Hostel Erottajanpuisto, Erottajankatu 19, 00130 Helsinki, www.erottajanpuisto.com

Courses