a
ACADEMY
OF FINE ARTS
UNIVERSITY
OF THE ARTS
HELSINKI­
CURRICULA
GUIDE
Curricula Guide 14–15
2014–2015
c
b
Teemu Korpela, Portrait of a Human Being, 2013, oil on canvas.
Curricula Guide 14–15
CURRICULA GUIDE
2014–2015
Academy of Fine Arts
ACADEMY
OF FINE ARTS
THE MASTER OF FINE ARTS
DEGREE 120 CREDITS
3
2
THE BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS
DEGREE 210 CREDITS
Orientation 2 cr
Introduction to
Study Programmes
(Mylly) 20 cr
ICT studies
8 cr
Study Programme
Courses, Workshops,
Laboratories 10 cr
Artistic Work
25–40 cr
ARTISTIC STUDIES 50–60 CR
BASIC STUDIES 40 CR
Study Programme Seminar
4-9 cr
Art History
10 cr
Artist in Society
6 cr
Independent
Artistic Work
30 cr
Major Subject
Studies 45 cr
History and Theory of
Contemporary Art II 5 cr
Optional Theoretical
Studies 3-17 cr
Optional
Studies 50 cr
THEORETICAL STUDIES 20–30 CR
INTERMEDIATE STUDIES 126 CR
Master’s Seminar
6–10 cr
Drawing and
Perception 10 cr
Philosophy II 2 cr
Theoretical
Studies 17 cr
Thesis 40 cr
i
Thesis 10 cr
Languages 8 cr
See the contents
of study modules in
chapters 2 and 3.
5
Aarni Vaarnamo, Matrimonia, 2013.
4
CONTENTS
CURRICULA GUIDE 2014–2015
The Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree 210 credits 02
The Master of Fine Arts Degree 120 credits 03
To new students 09
Academy of Fine Arts From a drawing school to a university
to the University of the Arts Helsinki 10
Contact information Academy of Fine Arts street addresses Guest apartment Website 14
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1
11
STUDYING AT THE ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS
Degrees of the Academy of Fine Arts Bachelor of Fine Arts Master of Fine Arts Doctor of Fine Arts 17
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Important dates in the academic year 18
Study guidance Study Affairs Services Producer Services Technical Services First-year students Students in the two-year Master’s programme Personal study plan (PSP) Teachers responsible for the study programmes Tutors 19
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Social issues related to studying Student financial aid 37
37
Curricula Guide 14–15
Academy of Fine Arts
Studying at the Academy of Fine Arts 22
22
Student admissions 22
Enrolment 22
Student agreement 22
Student ID card 23
Forms of student financial aid 23
Studios for students and other user rights Study credits and substituting and crediting studies 27
32
Studying abroad 34
Students’ legal rights and legal protection 35
Student feedback 38
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Exhibition activities of the Academy Bachelor’s thesis exhibition Kuvan Kevät Other exhibition activities 40
40
42
42
Library Printed materials Thesis – written part and documentation Electronic and Audiovisual Materials DIA – The Digital Archive of the Academy of Fine Arts 43
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Study Programme in Time and Space Arts Major subject studies in Time and Space Arts Advanced studies in Time and Space Arts 81
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87
Praxis – Master’s Programme in Exhibition Studies 89
Doctoral Studies Programme 91
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Housing Health Care Services – FSHS Sport services Student insurances Scholarships 2 THE STUDY PATH AND DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Study path Basic studies Intermediate studies Language studies Advanced studies 47
47
48
50
50
Bachelor of Fine Arts thesis project 52
Master of Fine Arts thesis project 54
3 CENTRE FOR GENERAL STUDIES
AND THE STUDY PROGRAMMES
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Study Programme in Sculpture Major subject studies in Sculpture Advanced studies in Sculpture 69
69
71
Study Programme in Painting Major subject studies in painting Advanced studies in Painting 72
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75
Study Programme in Printmaking Major subject studies in Printmaking Advanced studies in Printmaking 77
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Curricula Guide 14–15
Academy of Fine Arts
Centre for General Studies Objective of General Studies Instruction for first-year students Language studies Intermediate studies organised by
the Centre for General Studies Advanced studies organised by
the Centre for General Studies 9
8
TO NEW STUDENTS
i
For more detailed information
about the courses, see the
course information system Kotsa
(kurssit.kuva.fi) and the
course catalogue posted on the
intranet, Artsi.
Wishing you rewarding studies!
The Study Affairs Team
Curricula Guide 14–15
Academy of Fine Arts
Dear Student of the Academy of Fine Arts, you are holding the Academy’s
Curricula Guide for the period of 2014-2015. Please keep this guide. The
study requirements set here will apply to all your studies at the Academy.
University students are free to plan and direct their own studies. They
are largely personally responsible for any study-related choices and for
monitoring their personal study progress.
This guide contains the most important basic information about studying at and graduating from the Academy, the Bachelor’s and Master’s
degrees in Fine Arts, and the Academy study programmes.
The first chapter of this guide, Studying at the Academy of Fine Arts, features general information about the degrees of the Academy, the schedule for the academic term, study guidance, study affairs and social issues related to studies. The guide also briefly introduces the Academy’s
library and our artistic activities, which are inseparable from the studies.
The second chapter, The study path and degree requirements, briefly presents the progress of the Academy’s curriculum, the various aspects of
the Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Fine Arts and the theses required
for completing the degrees.
Chapter 3, General studies and the study programmes, provides information about the general studies intended for all students, and the study
programmes in sculpture, painting, printmaking, and time and space arts.
The most important source of information at the Academy of Fine
Arts is Artsi, the University of the Arts Helsinki’s intranet system, which
contains more specific instructions on most topics than this guide. The
instructions are constantly updated and students should look up topical
affairs on the intranet.
For more detailed information about the courses available at the
Academy of Fine Arts, see kotsa and the course catalogue issued on
the intranet, Artsi.
FROM A DRAWING SCHOOL TO A UNIVERSITY
TO THE UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS HELSINKI
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ACADEMY OF
FINE ARTS
The first predecessor of the Academy of Fine Arts, the Finnish Art Society’s Drawing School, was established in 1848. In 1939, the Drawing School
was transferred to the ownership of the Finnish Fine Arts Academy founded that year. From then on, the school was known as the School of the
Fine Arts Academy of Finland. The School has enjoyed government support since 1963, and in 1985 the Finnish state assumed full responsibility
for higher education in fine arts by founding the Academy of Fine Arts
to continue the work of the School of the Fine Arts Academy of Finland.
The Academy was granted the status of an institution of higher education in 1993 and that of a university on 1998.
The Finnish Academy of Fine Arts, the Sibelius Academy and the
Theatre Academy merged in the beginning of 2013 to form a university
of the free arts, the University of the Arts Helsinki. The total number of
students at the University is approximately 2,100. The University of the
Arts Helsinki­is composed of three academies equal in their academic
contribution and cultural influence. It fosters our cultural heritage and
educates artists whose work pours new perspectives, new ways of thinking,
friction and life force into the society.
The Academy of Fine Arts has provided higher education in the field of fine
arts in Finland for over 160 years. Today, the Academy is a university that
concentrates on education in the contemporary arts. Academy students
graduate with a Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctorate degree in Fine Arts.
The study programmes leading to the degrees of Bachelor and Master
of Fine Arts are:
• Painting
• Printmaking
• Sculpture
• Time and Space Arts
Curricula Guide 14–15
Academy of Fine Arts
The study programme in Time and Space Arts offers the possibility of
specialising in Moving Image, Photography, or Site and Situation Specific
Art.
In addition to the study programmes listed above, the Finnish Academy
of Fine Arts launched a two-year master’s programme entitled Praxis­ –
Master’s programme in exhibition studies in 2012 for which new students
have been selected and will start their studies in the autumn of 2014.
The studies leading to a Doctor of Fine Arts degree are organised as
part of the Doctoral Studies programme.
The Academy’s study programmes emphasise individuality, thereby
offering the students the opportunity to receive long term, personal
instruction and allowing for independent work. The Academy’s teaching
staff consists of actively working artists who continue their own artistic
work alongside their teaching responsibilities, maintaining active contacts
in the field of fine arts.
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Academy of Fine Arts
Curricula Guide 14–15
14
ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS
University of the Arts Helsinki’s switchboard,
tel. +359 9 7258 0000
Information Desk, tel. +358 40 8609504 (Caretaker)
E-mail: kanslia@kuva.fi
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18
Important
dates in the
academic year
Elimäenkatu 25 A, 00510 Helsinki
Postal address: PO Box 10, 00097 Taideyliopisto
17
Degrees at
the Academy
of Fine Arts
ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS’
CONTACT INFORMATION
LIBRARY OF THE ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS
19
Study
guidance
Elimäenkatu 25 A, 2nd floor, 00510 Helsinki
tel. +358 40 8609 508
E-mail: kuva.kirjasto@uniarts.fi
SEMINAR ROOM ‘VILHO’
Sörnäisten rantatie 27 C, 00500 Helsinki
22
Studying at
the Academy
of Fine Arts
KUVA/TILA
Merimiehenkatu 36, 00150 Helsinki
FAFA GALLERY
Lönnrotinkatu 35, 00180 Helsinki
VISITOR’S FLAT
37
Social issues
related to
studying
Mikonkatu 18 c 15, 00100 Helsinki,
tel. (09) 671 335
WEBSITE
www.kuva.fi (will go out of use during the autumn term)
www.uniarts.fi
40
Exhibition
activities of
the Academy
43
Library
Academy of Fine Arts
STUDYING AT
THE ACADEMY
OF FINE ARTS
BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS
STUDYING AT THE ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS
The Academy of Fine Arts provides students with the capabilities they
need to work as free artists. The instruction is based on an awareness of
the constant changes, including both domestic and international factors,
affecting the contemporary arts and the essence of artistic work. The
Academy has a two tier degree structure. The students first complete
the lower university degree and then continue with the higher university
degree and possibly with postgraduate studies. New students are admitted
annually for both the 5.5 year degree programme composed of a Bachelor’s
and a Master’s degree, and the two-year Master’s degree programme.
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DEGREES OF THE ACADEMY
OF FINE ARTS
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (KuK, BFA) comprises 210 credits, and students are generally expected to complete the degree requirements in
three and a half years. The objective of the degree programme is to provide students with the qualities they need to work as independent artists,
including the required artistic, intellectual and theoretical capabilities and
skills. After completing the studies, students will possess the capabilities
they need to begin working as independent artists and the resources required for commencing studies leading to a Master of Fine Arts degree.
MASTER OF FINE ARTS
The Master of Fine Arts degree (MFA) comprises 120 credits, and students are generally expected to complete the degree requirements in two
years. The objective of the degree programme is to provide students with
the capabilities required for professional positions in the field of fine arts
and the qualities and skills required for producing individual, demanding artistic work in the fine arts, for postgraduate studies in the field of
fine arts, and for the completion of the Doctorate degree.
Academy of Fine Arts
The Doctor of Fine Arts degree (DFA) comprises 240 credits, and
students are generally expected to complete the degree requirements
in four years. The objective of the education is to provide students with
profound understanding of the field and with the resources to produce high
quality work that demonstrates artistic maturity, as well as the qualities
and skills required to independently complete research that provides
new information on the discipline of the student’s specialisation. For
more detailed information see the end of this guide or Artsi the intranet.
Curricula Guide 14–15
DOCTOR OF FINE ARTS
• The academic year at the university officially begins on 1 August ­
and ends on 31 July. The academic year is divided into the autumn
term and the spring term. Instruction at the Academy of Fine Arts
is usually organised from early September to the end of May.
The Board of the Academy of Fine Arts and the Academic Council are
the highest decision making bodies of the Academy in matters concerning instruction. Study Affairs Services, Producer Services and Technical Services support both tuition and studies.
• Student enrolment for each year must be completed no later than 15
August, in accordance with the legal procedure determined by the
University of the Arts Helsinki and the Academy of Fine Arts. (For
more detailed information, see Artsi the intranet.)
• Information about the courses organised in the academic year
2014–2015 is available on the course information system Kotsa.
Registration for the autumn term courses begins on 15 August.
Students can only register for courses if they have enrolled as
present students at the Academy. Enrolment for the courses
organised in the spring term will begin on 17 November 2014.
• The dates of the maturity tests and the Academic Council meetings
will be posted on the intranet, Artsi, each term.
STUDY AFFAIRS SERVICES
Study Affairs Officer — study guidance, study credits, credit transfers,,
personal study plans (psp) for students who have exceeded their target
study times, internships, student financial aid, social issues related to
studies, and degree certificates.
STUDYING AT THE ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS
STUDYING AT THE ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS
STUDY GUIDANCE
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IMPORTANT DATES
IN THE ACADEMIC YEAR
Study Affairs Assistant — register transcripts, study certificates, language
studies, joo studies, the University’s internal mobility studies and guidance for graduating students (Master’s thesis project plan, submitting
the documentation and written component of the thesis for evaluation,
and documentation allowance).
Coordinators — study affairs guidance, instruction coordination, enrolment
for the maturity tests, course enrolment and cancellation and material
allowances. PSP for Bachelor’s degree students, submission of Bachelor’s
thesis projects.
International Coordinator — international affairs (e.g. student exchange)
and scholarships.
Senior Coordinator (tuition) — personal study plans (psp) for Master’s de-
gree students, degree requirements, planning and development of instruction, and student feedback.
Senior Coordinator — student admission, development of study
administration IT systems.
PRODUCER SERVICES
Producer — exhibition activities (Kuvan Kevät Degree Show, the Bach-
elor’s thesis exhibition and other Academy exhibitions), thesis material
allowances, international projects and workshops as well as other issues
maintained by the Artistic Committee of the Academy.
Curricula Guide 14–15
Academy of Fine Arts
Head of Study Affairs — coordination and development of study affairs,
line-management of the study affairs personnel.

work, material acquisitions, exhibition hangings and transportations.
More information available on Artsi. Students can log into Artsi with their
e-mail log-in identification.
FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS
The course schedule for the autumn term of the first-year students is prepared in advance by the Academy. At the beginning of their first term,
new students participate in orientation sessions. They will then begin the
Introduction to the Study Programmes study module which will continue
through the autumn term. At the end of the autumn term, new students
will choose the study programme they wish to major in.
If a first-year student has completed a significant amount of previous
studies in the field of fine arts, university level language studies or studies
in art theory at the level of higher education, these credits can be included
in the degree from the Academy of Fine Arts. A personal study plan (psp)
is prepared for these students in the beginning of the autumn term. Other
first-year students prepare their first psp in the beginning of the spring
term as they begin their studies in the study programme. Besides the
administration and teaching staff, student tutors offer support to new
students.
More detailed information about the orientation events and first-year
instruction can be found in Chapter 3: The Centre for General Studies.
TEACHERS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE STUDY PROGRAMMES
The teachers responsible for the study programmes provide guidance and
counselling pertaining to the contents of the studies, in particular, and
are involved in the preparation of the students’ psps and monitor their
study progress. Lecturers are the teachers responsible for Bachelor’s degree students and professors are the teachers responsible for Master’s degree students. The students must keep active contact with their teacher
responsible if they experience difficulties with their studies or are forced
to be absent for a long period of time.
TUTORS
Student tutors offer support to the new students through the first academic year. The tutors support the orientation of the new students both
at the Academy and the University of the Arts Helsinki and provide more
information about studying and student life.
STUDYING AT THE ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS
STUDYING AT THE ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS
Technicians — working facilities and tools, devices, equipment, safety at
increase. The psp is, above all, a personal tool for students to plan and
structure their studies.
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TECHNICAL SERVICES
STUDENTS IN THE TWO-YEAR MASTER’S PROGRAMME
New Master’s programme students will be given an intense introduction to the practices, degree requirements and social, international and
other matters connected to studying at the Academy in the orientation
events organised immediately in the beginning of the autumn term. Student tutors are appointed for Master’s degree students, too. The tutors
organise joint events and introduce the activities of the Student Union
to new students. Master’s programme students prepare their first psp
during their orientation with the help of their supervising teacher and
the Senior Coordinator.
Each year, all students prepare a personal study plan (psp) with the help
of the Coordinator or the Senior Coordinator (tuition) and the supervising
teacher in their study programme. The plan helps students to review
their study progress, to process their individual skills and development
needs, to selects courses and to monitor their study schedule. The psp
will be modified and specified as the student’s knowledge and skill levels
Curricula Guide 14–15
Academy of Fine Arts
PERSONAL STUDY PLAN (PSP)
FORMS OF STUDENT FINANCIAL AID
Material allowances
STUDENT ADMISSIONS
Basic degree students are annually admitted to the Academy of Fine
Arts through regular and separate admission. Regular admission is for
applicants who apply for the Bachelor and Master of Fine Arts studies,
which take 5.5 years in total. Separate admission is for applicants who
want to complete the two-year Master of Fine Arts degree programme.
A few students are additionally admitted for doctoral studies every year.
The total number of new basic degree students admitted to the
Academy in 2014 is 50–55. The Board of the University of the Arts
Helsinki annually confirms the number of students to be admitted.
The Academy of Fine Arts admits eligible students who demonstrate
talent in fine arts. A separate Application Guide is available on the
Academy of Fine Arts website.
ENROLMENT
Each basic degree and doctoral student must enrol as a present or an
absent student in the beginning of the academic year. If a student wants
to study during the academic year or graduate from the Academy, the
enrolment status must be ‘present’ (for more detailed information see
Artsi.)
STUDENT AGREEMENT
Financial support for the Master’s degree graduation process
In order to support the student’s graduation process, a separate grant
is awarded for the materials intended for the student’s thesis project
and for the printing of the written part of the Master’s thesis and its
documentation. Students can receive purchase forms from the Producer,
or acquisitions can be compensated against receipts. NB! The acquisitions
must be submitted during the calendar year when the purchases have
been made, even if the use of material allowances continues during the
following year. The Academy of Fine Arts compensates only purchases
made following the approval of the thesis project plan. Receipts are
collected by calendar year.
If the student uses an external supervisor in the thesis process, the
Academy will pay the supervisor compensation on the basis of the number of supervision hours, which must be agreed upon in advance.
It is possible for one or both of the examiners of a student’s thesis project to represent external professionals. In such cases, the examiners are
paid a compensation for writing the examiner’s statement.
Separate instructions are available for the thesis projects. For more
information on the Bachelor’s and Master’s degree theses see the Artsi.
STUDENT ID CARD
STUDIOS FOR STUDENTS AND OTHER USER RIGHTS
As a member of the Student Union and the National Union of University
Students in Finland (syl), students are entitled to a student id card. The
card should be ordered from the University of the Arts Student Union­
(Artsu) at the beginning of the first study year. The student id card, or
Studios
In the autumn term of their first study year, the new basic degree students
work in one study group and share a project room. Once the students
begin their studies in the study programmes in the spring term of the
Curricula Guide 14–15
Academy of Fine Arts
In conjunction with enrolment, the students receive for approval the
Student Agreement pertaining to the rights to use their course and
thesis work.
The Academy provides financial support for some of the materials used
during instruction. Academy students are allocated a €100 material
allowance per academic term for acquiring materials intended for artistic
use. The material allowance can be used to buy colours, papers and fabric,
for example. The material allowance is paid in the form of a grant. For
more detailed instructions, see Artsi the intranet or contact your study
programme coordinators.
STUDYING AT THE ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS
STUDYING AT THE ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS
i
Read this to gain basic information
about student rights, study facilities,
financial support and opportunities
for exchange studies.
the Frank card, is a valid student identification everywhere in Finland and
provides access to the services of the Finnish Student Health Services
(fshs), as well as student discounts at student canteens, on railway and
bus travel, and in hundreds of cultural institutions and shops. For more
information, see the Student Union website.
The student card is invalid without the term sticker. Students can pick
up their term stickers at the for instance at the TAIYO office (Töölönkatu
28, 4th floor).
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STUDYING AT THE ACADEMY
OF FINE ARTS
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STUDYING AT THE ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS
first study year, each student is assigned a working facility, a studio or a
work space designated for independent artistic work. First-year students
in the Master’s programme are appointed a working facility immediately
in the beginning of the autumn term.
Bachelor’s and Master’s degree students are entitled to a studio for a
period of five years from the beginning of their studies, and the students
in the two-year Master’s programme for two-years from the beginning
of their studies. Doctoral students are not entitled to the use of a studio.
Periods of absence, such as international exchange studies, do not extend
the right to use a working facility, apart from some legal exceptions (detailed
information available from the Study Affairs Office). The right to use the
studio ends at the end of the spring term of the fifth year of study; for
Master’s programme students, the spring term of second year of study
after which the facility must be empty. After this, the Academy is not
obliged to arrange a studio for the student.
The principal rule pertaining to the use of the studios is that the students
are allowed to work 24 hours a day, every day of the week, excluding those
periods when the Academy is closed in its entirety.
Use of the facilities for other than study purposes requires permission
from the Dean. The facilities of the Academy are limited and do not allow
for storing works of art. Completed works must be transported off the
premises of the Academy. Students leaving for an exchange period are
obliged to empty out their studio so as to vacate it for the period of their
exchange studies. For more detailed information about the studios, see
Artsi the intranet.
The Utö residency
The Utö residency is a peaceful working environment open around the year.
Every six months, students can apply for working periods of between two
weeks and two months at the residency. KuvAn residenssi ry is responsible
for the Utö residency.
Information system user rights
Curricula Guide 14–15
Academy of Fine Arts
Students enrolled as present students are entitled to personal user access to
the information systems of the Academy (Kotsa, student computers) and the
University of the Arts’ IT systems (Artsi the intranet, e-mail). The user rights
comprise the user log in information and password enabling students to log
in on the work stations, Artsi the intranet, to their e-mail account and into
kotsa. User rights are given to new students in conjunction with orientation.
The user rights are valid when the student is enrolled as a present
student at the Academy. They are automatically discontinued if the
student has not enrolled as a present or absent student and after the
student’s graduation. When a student graduates, his/her user rights may be
extended (for a period of 30 days, for example) if needed for the purposes
of submitting feedback or transferring the student’s personal files, etc.
For more information about user rights, see Artsi, the intranet.
The IT Administration of the University of the Arts Helsinki is
responsible for maintaining the information systems. The it service staff
are happy to help you with any problems. You can reach an it support
person at the staff facilities by phone on +358 50 44 88 555 or by e-mail at
help@uniarts.fi.
E-mail
STUDY CREDITS AND SUBSTITUTING AND CREDITING STUDIES
All study credits attained by the student are registered in the Academy’s
study register (kotsa). Study credits for any studies in the Academy are
entered directly into the study register and the student can view them
in his/her personal study register transcript.
Students are allowed to apply for theoretical and language studies
as well as studies in the field of fine arts completed at other schools,
universities or institutions of higher education to be included in their
degree, provided that these studies meet the criteria for studies at the
Academy in terms of content, credit yield and competence level. Other
studies can, for particularly justified reasons, also be accepted. In some
situations, the student can demonstrate his/her skills by completing a
demonstration or a proficiency test (for example language proficiency).
At the end of each term, students should check their study transcript
to ensure that all credits attained have been entered in the register.
STUDYING AT THE ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS
STUDYING AT THE ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS
• The user rights are intended for personal use only and must not be
submitted to a third party.
• User identification is based on the combination of the user id and the
password. Because of this, the user must never disclose the password
and must select one that is easy to remember but difficult to guess.
• User rights can be restricted due to malpractice, for example.
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A brief summary of the terms and conditions of use:
New students are assigned an e-mail address in conjunction with student
orientation. The Academy students are entitled to an e-mail address, in
most cases in the form firstname.lastname@uniarts.fi. The e-mail address
is primarily intended for the internal communications of the Academy.
The e-mail address is automatically included on the Academy’s internal
mailing lists.
Students are allowed to send personal messages not related to their
studies from Academy addresses. However, the size of the inbox is limited
and extensive usage can cause it to be filled and prevent the student from
receiving e-mails.
The e-mail addresses of the staff are also in the form firstname.
lastname@uniarts.fi. To check your e-mails, go to webmail.uniarts.fi
The scope of the studies is defined in ECTS credits. One ECTS credit
corresponds to 26.7 hours of student work. With a full-time study load,
the combination of compulsory and optional studies and artistic work
totals approximately 60 ECTS credits per academic year.
The University of the Arts Helsinki complies with the ects system (European Credit Transfer System), which was established as a part of the
erasmus student programme of the European Union. The objective of
the ects is to facilitate comparing study credits completed in the home
country and abroad, and to improve information distribution to facilitate
transferring studies between universities.
Work stations and computers
Grading of studies
The students of the Academy of Fine Arts are allowed to use the work
stations located in the it classroom and the library. The work stations in the
IT classroom are equipped with the most common photo editing software
and ancillary equipment. For help in computer-related matters, please
contact the it support (+358 50 4488 555 or help@uniarts.fi).
Studies incorporated in a degree are graded as accepted or failed.
The Bachelor’s degree thesis is graded as accepted or failed. For the
time being, only the Master’ thesis is graded using the scale “Accepted
with honours”, “Accepted” and “Failed”.
Credits
Moving directly on to the second-year of studies
KOTSA
If a first-year student has previously studied at a foreign institution of higher
education in the field of arts, in a Finnish university of applied sciences, or
in a secondary-level art school of a very high standard and has completed
studies that correspond to the basic studies completed during­the firstyear of the study at the Academy of Fine Arts, the student may apply for
transfer directly into the second-year in his/her preferred study programme.
If a student wishes to apply for transfer into the second-year, he/
she must contact the professor of the relevant study programme at the
beginning of the autumn term to notify the professor about the matter.
The decision as to whether or not the student can be accepted directly
into the study programme is made by the professor.
Curricula Guide 14–15
Academy of Fine Arts
kotsa (kurssit.kuva.fi) includes up-to-date course information. It includes
an up-to-date electronic course calendar. The calendar can be used to
browse Academy instruction and course content and to enrol on courses.
After signing up on courses, students can view their personal timetables
from kotsa. After a student has completed a course, the teacher will award
him/her the course credits using the kotsa system.
User orientation is arranged for new students at the beginning of the autumn
term. The Coordinators offer user orientation later in the academic year.
kotsa also contains the Academy of Fine Arts student register. Students
can view and print their study register transcripts from the kotsa system.
Exemption from Finnish or Swedish language studies
Exemption from other language studies
AHOT
To recognise and acknowledge previously acquired knowledge (Finnish
abbreviation ahot) is an essential part of the process of lifelong learning.
Due to the special nature of the field of fine arts, specific practices have
been developed in the field for the recognition and acknowledgement of
previously acquired knowledge and skills. Enhancing talent and skills in
the field of fine arts forms the foundation of the education offered at the
Academy of Fine Arts. Only a part of the training consists of such theoretical knowledge and technical skills and capabilities related to artists’
tools that can be substituted with previously completed studies. Art education primarily focuses on the creation and enhancing of students’ artistic thinking and expression through personal tuition and independent
artistic work. It is difficult to replace this core process of art education
with work carried out elsewhere or in another fashion.
Mobility studies
The students of The University of the Arts Helsinki may undertake studies
at other academies in addition to their own.
Courses or joint instruction with other academies are accepted in the
psp. Students may only choose mobility studies which can be included
in the minimum degree requirements of the degree they are completing
at their home academy.
The Academy distributes information about mobility studies on the
intranet Artsi and via ­e- mail.
Flexible study right (JOO)
Delayed studies
The Academy will attempt to contact students who have been delayed
in their studies in conjunction with enrolment for a new academic year.
Nth year basic degree students, i.e. students who began their studies
more than six years ago, and Master’s programme students who began
their studies more than two-years ago, need to prepare a study plan in
conjunction with enrolment.
Credit validity
Theses and other completed studies lose their credit validity after ten years
of completion. The professor of the study programme will decide how the
curriculum is to be applied to students whose credits have lost their validity.
It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all the studies included in the degree requirements are completed. If a compulsory course
is not completed, the student, on his/her own initiative, must make arrangements with the professor on the methods and schedule for substituting the course.
Curricula Guide 14–15
Academy of Fine Arts
Students of the Academy of Fine Arts are entitled to apply for a study
right at other Finnish universities through the joo flexible study right
agreement. The objective of joo studies is to provide students with the
opportunity to incorporate relevant studies and single courses from the
curricula of other universities into their degree. joo mobility studies must
qualify for a Bachelor or Master of Arts degree and support the student’s
professional competence, knowledge and skills.
The student’s home university will pay for his/her studies at the other
university. The student must therefore obtain his/her home university’s
as well as the host university’s advance approval for joo studies.
Be sure to check the target university’s course supply and application
dates. Applications for joo studies are submitted electronically on the
Joopas system, www.joopas.fi. Further information about joo studies is
available at the Study Affairs Office and on the intranet, Artsi.
An exemption from language requirements can be applied for justified
reasons. An exemption from language studies can be granted on the
grounds of the student having completed secondary education abroad
or not having completed secondary education at all. The exemption does
not decrease the amount of credits that must be completed. It is recommended that the missing credits be earned by attending basic/elementary language courses. More information about the exemption from language studies is available from the Study Affairs Office.
STUDYING AT THE ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS
STUDYING AT THE ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS
Students whose language of instruction in comprehensive education has
been other than Finnish or Swedish and students who have completed
their comprehensive education abroad are exempted from the studies in
Finnish or Swedish.
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28
The student may be required to demonstrate his/her work and skills to
the professor. Furthermore, the student is required to complete the Study
Substitution form and to submit it to the Student Affairs Office together with official certificates or register transcripts of his/her prior studies. The decision to accept all basic studies (40 cr) being substituted by
earlier studies is made by the Professor of Art History and Art Theory.
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Academy of Fine Arts
Curricula Guide 14–15
The Academy students can complete parts of their studies abroad in the
form of exchange studies. The Academy’s network of exchange institutions
is extensive. For more information about the exchange studies, applications periods, grants allocated to exchange students etc., please contact
the International Coordinator. Additional information about international
studies and related grants is also available on the cimo website at www.
cimo.fi. Periods of exchange study are usually limited to 3 to 12 months.
In order to incorporate eligible exchange studies into a degree from the
Academy of Fine Arts, the student must submit a certificate or study register
transcript (in English or Swedish) of his/her studies abroad to the Academy’s
Study Affairs Office once the exchange study period has been completed.
Partner universities and institutions and cooperation programmes
The Nordic Countries, the NORDPLUS programme
nordplus is an educational programme funded by the Nordic Council of
Ministers to encourage mobility, various projects and networking. kuno is
a Nordic cooperation network between the Nordic institutions of higher
education in the arts, established in 1993. The network receives funding
from the nordplus programme. The network currently comprises 17
members, including institutions of higher education in the Baltic countries.
Students undertaking exchange studies in the universities of the kuno
network are eligible for a scholarship. The value of the scholarship will be
determined in accordance with the duration of the exchange period and
the location of the target institution. For more information, please contact
the International Coordinator or see Artsi the intranet.
The kuno institutions also organise short-term kuno Express courses, for which travel grants are allocated. More information about the kuno network institutions of higher education in arts and the kuno Express
courses is available at www.kuno.ee.
Europe, the ERASMUS programme
Other bilateral agreements
The Academy of Fine Arts has a bilateral exchange agreement with the
Carnegie-Mellon University Art School located in Pittsburgh, the Jerusalem Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design and the Taipei National University of the Arts. No specific grants are allocated for study in the institutions located outside of Europe, but students can apply for a scholarships offered by the Academy.
Independently acquired exchange student placement
Those who attend an international art school abroad for a short period
and have arranged their stay independently are personally responsible
for the study placement and housing arrangements and should be prepared to pay tuition and other fees. Similarly to exchange programmes,
the independently mobile students must always arrange an agreement
with their home university about including any credits attained abroad
in their degrees from the Academy.
International workshops
The Artistic Committee of the Academy of Fine Arts manages the international workshop activities. During their studies, students have opportunities to participate in various workshops, biennials, festivals, exhibitions and other changing international events.
The Academy’s residencies abroad
The Academy of Fine Arts has two studios abroad, one in Berlin and one
in New York.
The Academy accepts applications for stays at the Berlin residency
twice a year. The Academy grants one to eight week periods of stay at
the residency. Second, third, fourth and fifth-year basic degree students,
first and second-year Master’s programme students and postgraduate
students are eligible for applying. The Academy students share the residency with students from the art academy in Stockholm.
The New York residency is available to Kuvan Kevät scholarship students.
Curricula Guide 14–15
Academy of Fine Arts
The erasmus programme is the most extensive exchange study
programme available to students of European institutions of higher
education. The programme was launched in 1987. The Erasmus programme
aims to support cooperation between European institutions of higher
education, and various forms of mobility and projects. The new programme
period began in 2014. The erasmus student exchange programme is based
on cooperation agreements between universities.
The network of erasmus programme partner institutions primarily
covers the most important European institutions of higher education. For
more information, see Artsi the intranet. Exchange students are eligible
for a CIMO scholarship (approximately €200 per month).
The first student exchange programme between Finland and Russia is
based on cooperation networks between institutions of higher education.
The network must comprise a minimum of one Finnish and one Russian
institution of higher education.
The Centre for International Mobility, cimo, is responsible for managing the programme in Finland. In addition to student and teacher exchange activities, the network also organises intensive courses.
The network of Finnish and Russian art schools, artsmo, presently
comprises 11 institutions of higher education in the arts. The network’s
Russian schools of art and design include the Stieglitz Art Academy and
the State University of Technology and Design, both in St Petersburg,
and the Syktyvkar University and the Pomor State University.
STUDYING AT THE ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS
STUDYING AT THE ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS
Exchange studies
Russia
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STUDYING ABROAD
Artist and art student activities in the field of fine arts are governed by
various copyright regulations. Students should read these regulations
carefully. The art universities’ copyright service has gathered guidelines
and information on the topic and will provide assistance when needed.
More information available on Artsi the intranet.
STUDENTS’ LEGAL RIGHTS AND LEGAL PROTECTION

STUDENT FEEDBACK
The right to pursue a degree
The only way to obtain the right to pursue a degree at the Academy of
Fine Arts is participation in the student admission procedure.
Study right
Curricula Guide 14–15
Academy of Fine Arts
As a rule, the students of the University of the Arts Helsinki have the right
to pursue a single degree at a time at this university.
The demarcation of study time is applied to students who began their
basic degree studies on 1 August 2005 or after. The main principles of the
study time demarcation are specified by the Universities Act (558/2009).
In accordance with the act, students who have been admitted to complete
both the Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Fine Arts are entitled to complete the degrees no later than two-years after their combined normative
completion time (5.5 yrs + 2 yrs).
Students who have been admitted to complete solely the higher university degree are entitled to complete the degree no later than two-years
after the normative completion time (2 yrs + 2 yrs).
The normative duration of study shall not include absence due to voluntary military service or conscription or to maternity, paternity or parental leave. The normative duration of study shall not include an absence of no more than four terms for which the student has registered
himself/herself absent.
The Academy may grant an extension to the duration of study on request for a student who has not finished his or her studies within the aforementioned period but presents a goal-oriented and feasible plan for completing the degree. The student must specify the studies to be completed
and the schedule for completing the degree.
In other respects, the Universities Acts (558/24 July 2009) and the
University of the Arts Helsinki Education Regulations will be observed
in matters related to the right to study and any extensions thereof.
Universities are obliges to evaluate the education they provide in
accordance with the Universities Act. Finnish universities carry out a
national student feedback survey (kandipala) twice a year. The survey
investigates the study satisfaction and subjective study progress of
students approximately in the third year of their studies. The Ministry
of Education and Culture aims to allocate approximately 3% of university
basic funding on the basis of kandipalastarting in 2015.
In addition to national surveys, universities collect student feedback
independently in order to develop instruction and perform self-evaluation.
The objective of the Academy of Fine Arts is a transparent feedback
system that motivates student activity and diverse participation in
improving the quality of instruction, studying and learning.
Student-teacher interaction is an integral part of the instruction
provided at the Academy of Fine Arts. It also serves as an instant
feedback channel between students and teachers. Besides this instant
spoken feedback, universities collect course-specific written feedback
and annual feedback from students at different stages of study and from
Master of Fine Arts graduates.
The University of the Arts Helsinki has brought about many changes.
Public discussion events have been organised to address important questions and feedback has been collected from students and teachers and other personnel. The University will continue to use this interactive approach.
Students are welcome to make suggestions for the development of an
improved student feedback system. For any suggestions, please contact
the Senior Coordinator responsible for tuition.
STUDYING AT THE ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS
STUDYING AT THE ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS
Copyright
The Academy has been a member of the European League of Institutes
of the Arts (elia) since 1991. The activities of elia include a newsletter
that provides information about interesting seminar, events and workshops in universities abroad and cooperation within the network. For more
information and the electronic newsletter, see www.elia-artschools.org.
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ELIA
Student financial aid can be granted to full-time students of the Academy of Fine Arts in need of financial aid. Student financial aid is made up
of a study grant, a housing supplement and a government guarantee for
student loan. The study grant is a state-financed form of support paid into the student’s bank account every month. The grant is subject to tax.
Factors influencing the quantity of the grant include the student’s income subject to tax and scholarships received during the calendar year
(excluding student financial aid). The limit for maximum income is personal and depends on the number of months during which the student
receives financial aid. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the
annual maximum income limit is not exceeded. You can influence your
annual maximum income limit by cancelling or returning financial aids
no later than by the end of May following the year that the financial aid
was paid. If you are applying for student financial aid for the first time,
you can fill in the application online at www.kela.fi. You can log into the
service using your online banking login identification.
STUDYING AT THE ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS
STUDENT FINANCIAL AID
37
Dual student financial aid structure for new university students
New students (who have begun their studies on 1 August 2011 or after) will
first be granted student financial aid only for completing a Bachelor’s degree,
even though they have been admitted to complete both a Bachelor’s and a
Master’s degree at an institution of higher education. Once the student has
completed his/her Bachelor’s degree and used up the student financial aid
months allocated for that purpose, he/she will be granted student financial
aid for completing a Master’s degree. The student must nevertheless state
in the student financial aid application that he/she has been admitted to
complete both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree as per the admission letter.
Reforms on the legislation pertaining to student financial aid came into
effect on 1 August 2014, increasing the amount of the financial aid, but
reducing the maximum time of eligibility for student financial aid. Student
financial aid can first be allocated for a period no longer than the time it
takes to complete a Bachelor’s degree. In the Academy of Fine Arts, this
time is no more than 42 months for students who have commenced their
studies before 1 August 2014; for students commencing their studies after
that date, 37 months.
Curricula Guide 14–15
Academy of Fine Arts
� Lauri Kolttola: Toistaiseksi nimetön (Untitled for the Time Being) [2013], tempera, detail.
Raimo Saarinen, Mineraalijärvi (‘Mineral Lake’), 2014, a detail of an installation.
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SOCIAL ISSUES
RELATED TO STUDYING
STUDENT INSURANCES
SCHOLARSHIPS
Satisfactory academic progress for Bachelor’s and Master’s degree students
A total of 5 credits per month of financial aid constitute satisfactory academic progress.
If a student completes studies in the summer, he/she must earn an average of 5 credits for each summer month, too. For example, if a student
applies for student financial aid for the summer (previous August, following June and July) in addition to the usual 9 months, he/she must earn
a minimum of 60 credits during the academic year (1 August – 31 July).
HOUSING
The Academy of Fine Arts does not provide housing services. It is advisable to begin looking for housing in good time after receiving notice of admission, since particularly many people apply for housing in the autumn.
Students can submit an electronic housing application with the Foundation for Student Housing in the Helsinki Region (hoas) at www.hoas.fi.
Lyyra is a service provided by the Student Union of the University
of Helsinki and National Union of University Students in Finland. You
can look for housing on the Lyyra Housing Services site at www.lyyra.fi.
Suomen Opiskelija-asunnot soa ry is a national student housing community and cooperation association. While soa ry does not provide student apartments, the soa website at www.soa.fi has links to the websites
of member organisations offering housing.
Opiskelijoiden Vuokravälitys is an agency-offering student housing in
the private market, see www.ovv.com.
HEALTH CARE SERVICES – FSHS
SPORT SERVICES
Students who have paid the sports fee as a part of the Student Union fee
are allowed to use the diverse and economical sports services provided
by Unisport. For more information, go to www.unisport.fi.
Academy students can apply for the scholarships offered by the Academy three times a year. Information about the scholarships will also be
distributed via e-mail. The scholarships are intended for the development of international and Finnish cooperation or as partial funding for
special projects. Application forms are available for downloading on the
intranet. The International Coordinator processes scholarship matters.
The Academy of Fine Arts annually gives out 1 to 3 awards for outstanding Master’s thesis documentation, including the written part of the
thesis. Students cannot apply for a documentation award. The Academy
usually allocates the awards once a year.
The Academy of Fine Arts accumulates its art collection annually, primarily sourcing during the Kuvan Kevät Degree Show. Acquisitions are
sometimes made from other student thesis exhibitions, too. Acquisition
decisions are made by the Artistic Board.
Practical training
The Academy awards practical training grants annually. The grants are
available upon application to students in their third, fourth and fifth-year
and to students in the mfa programme. Applicants must be students of
the Academy of Fine Arts and enrolled as present students during the
practical training period.
The objective of the internship is to provide students with special skills
for their career after graduation. Students are expected to find their practical training positions independently. Possible practical training positions include work as an artist’s assistant or in an artist community or in
a company connected to the student’s field of study. It is particularly advisable that a student finds a practical training position that offers him/
her new perspective for planning the future. Students can seek practical
training positions abroad, too.
Students can generally apply for practical training positions for the
duration of one or two months. The practical training grant is approximately €900 per month. Students earn study credits for internships (6
credits per month).
The Study Affairs Office distributes information about the practical
training application periods. The internship grant application period begins in
January or February and the decisions will be made by April. The Academic
Council will decide on the allocation of the practical training grants.
Curricula Guide 14–15
Academy of Fine Arts
Students pay a health care fee as a part of the Student Union fee. The
fee allows them to use the services of the Finnish Student Health Service
(fshs). For more information, see: www.yths.fi/en.
Scholarships of the Academy of Fine Arts
STUDYING AT THE ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS
STUDYING AT THE ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS
The creation of the University of the Arts Helsinki has brought about many
changes in matters related to student insurance. For example, travel insurance
coverage has been improved. For more information about student insurance,
see Artsi the intranet (the information will be updated in the autumn).
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38
The maximum number of student financial aid months granted for
completing the Bachelor and Master of Fine Arts degrees is 60 for
students who have commenced their studies before 1 August 2014; for those
commencing studies after this date, the maximum number of financial
aid months is 55. For more information on student financial aid and the
related changes, see the website of the Social Insurance­Institution of
Finland (Kela) at www.kela.fi.
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STUDYING AT THE ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS
Katja Aikioniemi’s work Taivaskävely (‘Walk in
the Sky’) at the Kuvan Kevät 2014 exhibition.
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EXHIBITION ACTIVITIES
OF THE ACADEMY
Kuva/Tila (at Merimiehenkatu 36) is the most essential facility for the
Academy of Fine Arts’ artistic operations. In addition to Kuva/Tila and
fafa Gallery (Lönnrotinkatu 35), the Academy organizes exhibitions in
external facilities. In addition to exhibitions, Kuva/Tila is the venue for
lectures, seminars and other tuition activities.
The Artistic Committee makes the decision on the program of the
exhibition facilities. The Committee also decides on all events that are
organised outside of the Academy’s exhibition facilities, as well as both
domestic and international cooperation projects.
The students are responsible for the supervision of their exhibitions
in the Academy exhibition facilities. No space rent or sales provisions are
charged. The exhibitions are planned in cooperation with the professor of
Exhibition Studies. In most cases, the exhibitions make up a component
of the Master’s thesis project.
Academy of Fine Arts
The Bachelor of Fine Arts thesis comprises an Academy seminar-related, small group or solo exhibition or other performance documented by
the student. The student can organise the thesis exhibition in his/her studio at the Academy, for example. The Academy also accepts group exhibitions or projects as thesis work.
A Bachelor’s thesis exhibition is scheduled at Kuva/Tila for all students
completing their Bachelor’s degree. The next Bachelor’s degree exhibition
will be organised in November 2014.
Curricula Guide 14–15
BACHELOR’S THESIS EXHIBITION
LIBRARY
i
For the opening hours of the Academy library
and other topical information about the
library services, see the library website.
Tel. +358 40 8609 508
kuva.kirjasto@uniarts.fi
ARSCA collection database:
https://arsca.linneanet.fi/index.html
OTHER EXHIBITION ACTIVITIES
Students and teachers are at liberty to share any group exhibition ideas
with the Artistic Committee. The Committee decides on any exhibitions
organised in facilities outside of the Academy including urban spaces.
The libraries of the Academy of Fine Arts, the Sibelius Academy and the
Theatre Academy Helsinki provide the University of the Arts Helsinki’s
library services in cooperation. The library services are open to all
University of the Arts Helsinki students.
The basic task of the Academy of Fine Arts library is to offer the library and information services required for studies, instruction and research at the Academy. The main focus of the library’s material acquisitions lies in contemporary arts.
The library is open to all those interested in fine arts. Students will
therefore retain their borrowing rights after graduation.
STUDYING AT THE ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS
STUDYING AT THE ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS
The Academy degree show is entitled Kuvan Kevät. The Artistic Committee appoints a new Kuvan Kevät working group each year.
The Kuvan Kevät exhibition is organised at Kuva/Tila and, if necessary,
in other facilities in May.
Fifth-year students, and second-year students in the Master’s programme, can participate in the Kuvan Kevät exhibition. Fifth-year students need to have completed their Bachelor’s degree before participating in the thesis exhibition.
The degree show is primarily the second component of the Master’s
thesis project. The exhibition application form, together with additional
information, is posted to the exhibition participants.
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KUVAN KEVÄT
PRINTED MATERIALS
The library collection of printed materials features artist monographs,
international exhibition publications, art history and theory and other
literature related to the instruction at the Academy of Fine Arts. The
library subscribes more than 50 printed Finnish and foreign periodicals
on art and culture. The printed library materials have been catalogued
in the Catalogue of the Finnish Art University Libraries, arsca, and in
the Union Catalogue of Finnish Libraries, melinda. Materials can be
borrowed using the art university libraries’ joint arsca library card,
available from the library.
The library records all thesis documentation, including the written
components of the Bachelor’s and Master’s thesis projects, accepted by
the Education and Research Council and Academic Council of the Academy
of Fine Arts. Thesis project work can be reviewed upon request. Basic
information­about the students’ thesis work has been listed in a catalogue
on the library’s homepage since 1995.
Curricula Guide 14–15
Academy of Fine Arts
THESIS – WRITTEN PART AND DOCUMENTATION
47
Basic studies
2
47
Study path
STUDYING AT THE ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS
The library also subscribes to electronic materials related to fine arts.
They include online art journals and image databases. The materials
can be accessed via the library’s Art and culture resources of Information
page or the University of the Arts Helsinki’s Nelli data retrieval portal.
The Nelli portal allows searches in several databases simultaneously, for
example. The library’s electronic materials are available on the intranet
of the Academy of Fine Arts. The students and staff of the Academy can
use the materials also from other locations, for example home, with the
help of the remote access and the uniarts log-in information.
The library collections additionally include dvd materials related to
contemporary art. The students may borrow the materials or view them in
the library’s audiovisual and study facility reserved for working in silence.
The library staff provide assistance on the use of databases and other questions connected to information retrieval. They also offer information retrieval instruction and guidance.
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ELECTRONIC AND AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS
48
Intermediate
studies
DIA – THE DIGITAL ARCHIVE OF THE ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS
50
Advanced
studies
dia is an image archive that contains image materials of the Academy
activities for teaching and research use. The dia image collection grows
constantly as materials are added from the Academy exhibitions and other
events. The collection contains over 9.000 photographs. The collection
primarily covers artistic activities at the Academy in the late 2000s,
such as the Kuvan Kevät exhibitions. There are also older photographs
in the image archive. The oldest materials presently available in the
archive date to the 1930s. Students can access dia on the Academy’s
it classroom computers or the library computers using their personal
Academy identification.
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BFA Thesis
Project
Curricula Guide 14–15
54
MFA Thesis
Project
Academy of Fine Arts
THE STUDY PATH
AND DEGREE
REQUIREMENTS
Studies for a Bachelor’s
and a Master’s degree and
their codes.
Students complete their degrees according to the degree requirements,
which are valid at the time they begin their studies at the Academy of
Fine Arts. Students are advised to keep the curricula guide of their firstyear of studies so they can refer back to the relevant degree requirements. If a reform of the degree system is implemented, the Academy
will issue transfer period rules specifying the equivalences between the
old and new system.
The target time for completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree is 3.5
years, and it includes both basic (40 cr) and intermediate studies (162
cr) as well as language studies (8 cr). The target time for completing a
Master of Fine Arts degree is 2 years, and it includes advanced studies
(120 cr). With the exception of the basic studies modules, students of the
Academy have a great deal of freedom to plan their studies. Students
should ensure, however, that the studies required for the Bachelor’s degree are completed in time, as financial aid for students cannot be granted for Master’s degree studies until the Bachelor’s degree is completed.
Each compulsory course has a code, which is necessary to register
completed studies. Even though the codes are primarily used by academic administration, they are also important for students who may
use the code to check which degree requirement a particular course
is suited for. The codes for compulsory studies are indicated in the descriptions below.
THE STUDY PATH AND DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
i
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STUDY PATH
BASIC STUDIES 40 CR
Curricula Guide 14–15
Academy of Fine Arts
Students pursuing a 5.5-year degree begin their studies at the beginning
of the autumn term with the first orientation period, after which they begin
the Introduction to the Study Programmes module (called Mylly in Finnish),
which spans the whole first autumn term. The Introduction to Art History
course also begins in the autumn term and continues through the firstyear of studies. This course includes a study trip abroad in the autumn
and an excursion within Finland in the spring. The second orientation
period is organised at the end of the year and focuses on introducing new
students to the study programmes and intermediate studies. First-year
students choose their major in early December.
[Pk-1]
Painting
[Pk-2]
[Pt-1]
[Pv-1]
Orientation Studies (2 cr)
Introduction to the Study Programmes – Mylly (20 cr)
Introduction to Art History (10 cr)
Information and Communication Technology (ict)
Studies (8 cr)
Sculpture
Seminars and Critique in Sculpture
Basics of the Method, Sculpture
Research and Practice, Sculpture
[Akv-1]
[Akv-20]
[Akv-30]
[Akm-1]
Seminar in Painting
Basics of the Method, Painting
Research and Practice, Painting
[Akm-20]
[Akm-30]
Printmaking
[Akg-1]
INTERMEDIATE STUDIES 162 CR
The education of Bachelor’s level students at the Academy of Fine Arts
has been organised by study programme and begins with instruction in
the Basics of the Method. The content of this course varies by study programme. The spring term of the first-year of studies is largely pre-planned.
Some studies related to Basics of the Method continue in the autumn term
of the second-year. Mastery of the medium and the related tools is often
a prerequisite for specialist courses. Major subject studies, seminars and
studies under research and practice run through the duration of Bachelor
studies. Students who select the Time and Space Arts Study Programme
may choose between three different areas of specialisation. This is why
the list below features more options under Time and Space Arts in both
the seminar and the research and practice sections.
In addition to major subject studies, students complete studies in drawing and perception as well as theoretical and language studies.
One of the central concepts in studies at the Academy is independent
artistic work and the related personal guidance. Make sure to allocate
sufficient time for independent artistic work when drafting the personal
study plan.
Nearly a third of the intermediate studies is composed of optional
studies. Here the student may include a variety of courses, workshops,
laboratory sessions, independent artistic work or practical training.
Optional studies also provide a good opportunity to include courses from
other Study Programmes or University of Arts mobility studies.
[Akg-30typ]
Seminar in Visual Culture
Basics of the Method, Printmaking
Courses, Workshops and Laboratories
(Research and Practice) in printmaking
Time and Space Arts
Seminars
[Akt-1]
Bachelor’s Seminar in Time and Space Arts
Seminar in Moving Image
Seminar in Site and Situation Specific Art
Seminar in Photography
[Akte-1]
[Aktp-1]
[Aktv-1]
[Akt-20]
[Akte-30his]
[Akte-30typ]
[Aktp-30his]
[Aktp-30typ
[Aktv-30his]
[Aktv-30typ]
Basics of the Method, Time and Space Arts
History and Theory of Moving Image
(Research and Practice)
Workshops in Moving Image (Research and Practice)
History and Theory of Site and Situation Specific Art
(Research and Practice)
Workshops in Site and Situation Specific Art
(Research and Practice)
History and Theory of Photography
(Research and Practice)
Workshops in Photography (Research and Practice)
Drawing and Perception 10 cr [Ap-1]
Independent Artistic Work 30 cr [As-10]
Theoretical Studies: Art in Contemporary Society I 17 cr [At]
[At-1]
[At-2]
[At-3]
[At-4]
[At-20]
Introduction to the History and Theory
of Contemporary Art (5 cr)
Philosophy 1 – Introduction to Philosophy (2 cr)
The Artist in Society study module (2 cr)
Written Expression Courses (2 cr)
Optional Theoretical Studies (6 cr)
Curricula Guide 14–15
Academy of Fine Arts
The Bachelor’s thesis project is typically the last component of Bachelor’s
studies to be completed. This may be a small-scale exhibition or artistic
representation arranged, e.g., at the workspace of the student, or a
contribution to a joint exhibition. See more information on the thesis
projects below.
The Bachelor’s degree includes a maturity test that takes the form
of an examination in the student’s native language. Registrations for
the Bachelor’s maturity test are submitted to the coordinators of study
programmes, and a language reviser examines them.
[Akg-20]
THE STUDY PATH AND DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
THE STUDY PATH AND DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Ak Major subject studies 45 cr
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48
At the beginning of the spring term, students draft their first personal
study plans together with their supervisor teachers and Coordinator.
Information and Communication Technology studies are classified as
basic studies, but students may complete them at any point during their
Bachelor’s degree studies, i.e., within 3.5 years.
LANGUAGE STUDIES 8 CR [K]
[Kk-1]
or
[Kk-2]
[Ku-1]
[Ku-2]
[Ky-1] Studies in the second official language
in Finland, Swedish (3 cr)
Studies in the second official language in Finland,
Finnish (3 cr)
First foreign language, written skills (3 cr)
First foreign language, spoken skills (2 cr)
Bachelor’s maturity test (language maturity test)
ADVANCED STUDIES 120 CR
In the spring term of the fourth year, basic degree students become Master’s
degree students. In addition to this, approximately twenty new students
are admitted to the Academy of Fine Arts to pursue a two-year Master’s
degree exclusively. The latter students begin their studies in one of the
four study programmes at the beginning of the autumn term. Students
admitted to the two-year Study Programme draft their first personal study
plan with their supervising teacher and the Senior Coordinator (tuition) at
the very beginning of the autumn term, in conjunction with the orientation
period. Academy students moving on to Master’s degree studies after
completing Bachelor’s degree studies will draft their personal study plan
(psp) similarly at the beginning of Master’s degree studies.
The thesis project for the Master of Fine Arts degree is in two parts and may
consist of either two public representations in the field of fine arts, or one
public representation and an essay. In either case, the thesis project must
include documentation and a written component. The latter entails visual
documentation of the artistic sections (or artistic section) of the thesis,
and a text connecting the work to a larger context of contemporary art.
The Master’s thesis project includes the Master’s maturity test that is
a content examination. Registrations for the Master’s maturity test are
submitted to the coordinator of the study programme. The professor of
the Study Programme or the coordinating teacher examines the test.
Thesis projects are discussed in more detail below.
THE STUDY PATH AND DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
THE STUDY PATH AND DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor’s Thesis Project [Ao-10]
History and Theory of Contemporary Art II and Philosophy II: Introduction
to Continental Aesthetics and Art Philosophy. If a student admitted to the
two-year Master’s programme has not completed studies in the history
and theory of contemporary art or in philosophy, he or she may complete
the intermediate courses Introduction to the History and Theory of
Contemporary Art I and Philosophy I – Introduction to Philosophy, instead
of the courses mentioned above. All students must also complete optional
theoretical studies.
The credit amounts set for Artistic Studies and Theoretical Studies are
flexible. The student may, for example, choose to complete more Artistic
Studies which would mean the required number of credits in Theoretical
Studies would be correspondingly smaller.
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Optional Intermediate Studies 50 cr [Av1]
Artistic Studies: Critical Research and Practice 50-60 cr [Sk]
[Sk-1]
Study Programme specific Master’s seminar
(4–9 cr depending on the programme)
[Sk-2]
Study Programme specific workshops, laboratories
and courses (10 cr)
[Sk-3]
The Artist in Society study module (6 cr)
[Ss]
Artistic work (25–40 cr)
[Ss-1] = Advanced optional workshops, laboratories
and courses
[Ss-2] Advanced Independent Artistic Work
Theoretical Studies: Art in Contemporary Society II 20-30 cr [St]
[St-1]
[St-2]
[St-3]
[St-10]
Master’s Seminar (for all Master’s students) (6–10 cr)
History and Theory of Contemporary Art II (5 cr)
Philosophy II – Introduction to Continental Aesthetics
and Art Philosophy (2 cr)
Optional Theoretical Studies (3–17 cr)
Master’s Thesis Project 40 cr [M]
[Mk-1]
Master’s Maturity Test
Curricula Guide 14–15
Academy of Fine Arts
The degree requirements for the Master of Fine Arts degree are identical
regardless of whether the student is pursuing a 5.5- or a 2-year degree.­
The only exception is Praxis – Master’s Programme in Exhibition Studies
that has its own degree requirements.
The Master’s degree consists of Artistic Studies (Critical Research
and Practice) and Theoretical Studies (Art in Contemporary Society II).
Artistic Studies include studies organised by the student’s own study programme such as seminars, courses, workshops and laboratories. In addition the
studies include a working life oriented module, the Artist in Society, which
considers the artist’s professional skills from a variety of perspectives.
A significant portion of Artistic Studies is artistic work, which consists­
mainly of the student’s own independent artistic work. Artistic Studies
may, however, also include courses, which benefit the student’s artistic
competence. Such courses may be selected from any Study Programme.
Theoretical Studies include a joint Master’s seminar for students of all
Study Programmes. This means that all Master’s degree students must
attend both the seminar in their own Study Programme and the Academywide Master’s seminar. Theoretical Studies also include the courses
T
H·
TU
DY
A
Curricula Guide 14–15
Academy of Fine Arts
The supervisor for the thesis project is the supervisor of the Study
Programme specific seminar group. The supervisor is also one of the
examiners of the thesis project, and appoints the second examiner. Once
the examiners have assessed the Bachelor’s project on a pass/fail basis, the
documentation and written component as well as the examiners’ signed
assessment forms will be submitted to the Academic Council who will
decide to pass or fail the project. For more information, see the detailed
instructions on completing the thesis project for a Bachelor of Fine Arts
degreeon Artsi, the intranet.
Timo Andersson, Pretender, 2013, mixed techniques on canvas.
The thesis project for the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree is a smallscale group or individual exhibition or a private or jointly produced artistic
representation related to seminar work. The representation may be
organised, for example, in the student’s studio. The Master’s project must
include documentation of the project and a written component. Even when
the artistic portion of the thesis project is a joint exhibition or artistic
representation performance by one or more students, each student must
draft the documentation and written component independently. After
the presentation of the thesis project, the student has approximately two
weeks to prepare the documentation and written component. The visual
material included in the documentation must sufficiently represent the
exhibition or artistic representation in its entirety.
S
P
THE STUDY PATH AND DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Holders of the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree possess an understanding of
the field of fine arts and the methods of painting, printmaking, sculpture or
time and space arts. They also have basic knowledge of the theory, history
and philosophy of art. They have an in-depth knowledge of one of the areas
of art mentioned above. To complete the degree, the student must complete
the studies included in the Study Programme and demonstrate that he
or she has reached the requirements set for the degree, the studies and
the Bachelor’s project, and that he or she possesses the language skills
specified in the degree regulations.
To complete the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, the student must also
complete a thesis project 10 credits in scope.
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BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS
THESIS PROJECT
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THE STUDY PATH AND DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
MASTER OF FINE ARTS
THESIS PROJECT
Holders of the Master of Fine Arts degree are able to work independently
and analytically as artists in society and in the world. The Master of Fine
Arts has a thorough understanding of the artistic tools and disciplines,
their history and contemporary significance. He or she is capable of setting
goals and objectives, and is prepared to work in expert and innovator
positions in the field of fine arts. The Master of Fine Arts also possesses
good communication and language skills. To complete the degree, the
student must complete the studies included in it and demonstrate that
he or she has achieved the standards set for the degree, the studies and
the thesis project, and that he or she possesses the language skills laid
down in the degree regulations.
The Master of Fine Arts degree requires that the student complete a
40-credit thesis project. The thesis project must demonstrate the qualities
required of a Master of Fine Arts. If the thesis project is conducted in
cooperation with several students, the distribution of both the planning
and implementing work must be clearly indicated.
The Master of Fine Arts thesis project consists of either:
A. Two public representations in the field of fine arts
or
B. One public representation in the field of fine arts and an essay.
Both options must include documentation of the thesis project and a written
component.
Curricula Guide 14–15
Academy of Fine Arts
A public representation in the field of the fine arts refers to an exhibition
or a representation of another kind that is open to public. The essay
refers to a text of approximately 25–50 pages in length or a textual and/
or verbal production of another manner (such as video, multimedia etc.)
that can be documented and reproduced and that reflects the writer’s
thorough knowledge of the field of fine arts he/she has selected. Regardless
of whether the student chooses alternative A or B for the thesis project,
the project must include the thesis documentation and a written component.­
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Study
Programme in
Painting
79
Study
Programme in
Printmaking
The student is entitled of a maximum of ten hours of supervision for the
thesis project. He or she may propose a different supervisor for the documentation and written portion, or, when selecting option B, for the essay.
In addition two examiners will be assigned for the project. The supervisors and examiners must have sufficient expertise in art and contemporary art, but they need not be members of permanent staff at the Academy of Fine Arts. The student must negotiate the supervisor/s and examiners for his or her project with the professor of the study programme.
The professor approves written proposals for the supervisor/s and the
plan by signing them. The Academic Council approves the examiners.
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Study Programme
in Time and
Space Arts
The student may submit the thesis project for examination before he or
she has completed all the studies required for a Master’s degree. Once
the examiner statements have been received, they will be sent to a meeting of the Academic Council together with the documentation and written component of the thesis project. The Council will then decide on passing the project and on the grade.
Academy of Fine Arts
CENTRE FOR
GENERAL
STUDIES AND
THE STUDY
PROGRAMMES
Curricula Guide
91
91 14–15
Praxis
Doctoral
Studies
Programme
The student may present the thesis project in a public examination after
submitting the documentation and written component for examination.
For more information, see the detailed instructions on completing the
thesis project for a Master of Fine Arts degree on Artsi, the intranet.
71
Study
Programme in
Sculpture
THE STUDY PATH AND DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
It is recommended that even in cases where the two other components
of the thesis are exhibitions or other artistic productions by two or more
students, that each student compose the documentation and written component independently, unless there are valid reasons justifying co-operation in the production of the documentation and written component. If
the thesis project contains shared exhibitions or performances, the written component must describe how the working process was carried out
between students. Particular attention must be paid to this if the documentation and written part are compiled together.
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Centre for
General
Studies
56
This means a comprehensive visual recordings of both of the exhibitions
or artistic productions and an analytical text or a textual or/and verbal
production completed in some other manner (such as video, multimedia)
that can be documented and reproduced and that interlinks the student’s
own artistic work to contemporary art.
GE
NE
OBJECTIVE OF GENERAL STUDIES
The objective of the instruction is to provide the student with the conceptual tools to understand the various fields and working methods of
contemporary art. Artists must have a comprehensive understanding of
the history and theory of contemporary art in order to examine not only current art trends but also the contemporary world in a broad, independent and critical manner.
Instruction in art theory and general studies open up connections and
build bridges between different issues and perspectives. The instruction
deals with a variety of questions connected to art history and philosophy, and includes honing the writing skills necessary for working artists
as well as helping students understand the way the art world functions.
Orientation Studies 2 cr [Pk-1]
New students at the Academy begin their autumn term with a two-part
orientation studies module. The first two-day period is arranged at the
end of August and includes e.g. an introduction to the instruction given
during the autumn term as well as social services for students. In addition to this, coordinators will present the facilities to the new students
and provide information on studies.
Curricula Guide 14–15
Academy of Fine Arts
INSTRUCTION FOR FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS
RAL The Centre for General Studies offers the instruction of art history and art
theory, drawing and perception as well as the Artist in Society studies. It
arranges the common studies for the autumn term of the first-year of studies as well as the language studies and ict studies required for a degree.
IES·
CENTRE FOR GENERAL STUDIES
U
ST D
The contact details for teachers and
other staff can be found at the address
www.kuva.fi/www.uniarts.fi. For more
information on studies, please see
the KOTSA system or the study leaflet
on Artsi, the intranet.
CENTRE FOR GENERAL STUDIES AND THE STUDY PROGRAMMES
i
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Andrey Bogush, Proposal for face, landscape and pink, 2013.
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CENTRE FOR
GENERAL STUDIES
After the orientation period, the students spend the rest of the autumn
term with the Introduction to the Study Programmes module (called Mylly in Finnish). The module begins with Drawing and Perception studies,
after which each study programme is presented in turn: time and space
arts, painting, sculpture and printmaking.
The intention is to introduce students to the instruction provided by
the Academy to help them make the choice of study programme in December. The themes of the courses are in dialogue with contemporary
art and its tradition. By offering different perspectives, the courses seek
to complement each other so that the studies during the autumn term
form a comprehensive whole.
The studies and independent artistic work of the first autumn term are
conducted in interaction with the group in a shared workspace. A study
trip abroad is also organised in the autumn term.
Introduction to Art History 10 cr [Pk-3]
The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree requires the completion of compulsory
language studies, unless the student has specifically applied for and
been granted an exemption from them. The Academy of Fine Arts
provides instruction for the compulsory language studies together with
the University of Helsinki Language Centre. This instruction will be
organised in Academy facilities whenever possible. The compulsory
language courses will typically only be organised once a year. It is also
possible to take a proficiency test. If a student completes the proficiency
test successfully, the course will be registered as completed. Students
may make two attempts at the proficiency test. If the student does not
pass the test, he or she must participate in the course.
In addition to the compulsory language courses, the Academy offers
to pay the fees for a maximum of two additional language courses at the
University of Helsinki Language Centre or a similar partner institute for
each degree student. Students interested in completing studies in additional languages should contact the Study Affairs Assistant before registering for the course to make sure they are allowed to participate. This
also applies to international students wishing to study Finnish as an additional language.
Studies in the Second Official Language of Finland,
oral and written skills, 3 cr [Kk]
Swedish written and oral skills 3 cr [Kk-1]
The intention of the course is that the student has the necessary proficiency to understand the written and spoken language, discuss central
issues and draft a text on topics in his or her field.
Finnish written and oral skills 3 cr [Kk-2]
This course is required for Finnish citizens whose first language is Swedish.
Curricula Guide 14–15
Academy of Fine Arts
The Introduction to Art History course begins in the first autumn term
and continues through the first academic year. Instruction in art history consists of sections concentrating on different themes. The student is
inspired to see and understand artistic traditions from a contemporary
perspective (this includes image analysis, the politics of the gaze, museum visits, etc.).
The study trip abroad in the autumn term gives students important
insights on the history of fine arts through visits to art museums and other activities. During the spring term, a field trip within Finland is usually arranged.
Students may complete the course in art history with an examination
or essay. The required literature must be agreed with the professor of
art history and theory.
LANGUAGE STUDIES 8 CR [K]
CENTRE FOR GENERAL STUDIES AND THE STUDY PROGRAMMES
CENTRE FOR GENERAL STUDIES AND THE STUDY PROGRAMMES
Introduction to the Study Programmes 20 cr [Pk-2]
Information and Communication Technology 8 cr [Pv-1]
The general objective of Information and Communication Technology
(ict) studies is to ensure all Bachelor’s degree students have equal and
sufficient ict skills. Some of the necessary skills are provided in conjunction with the studies shared by all new students (Introduction to the
Study Programmes). The Academy of Fine Arts offers a wide range of
ict courses. In addition to courses on Photoshop and InDesign, these include courses on designing websites, instruction in the use of a camera,
video camera and microphone, video editing and the basics of pigment
printing. The objective is to provide students with new skills to support
their studies and work.
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Orientation also includes basic information on the Academy’s digital
systems and applications as well as the library’s Basics of Information
Retrieval course. At the end of the autumn term, first-year students
will participate in one more orientation period that introduces them
to the degree requirements and the instruction in the different study
programmes.
Some of this orientation is organised by tutors who are older students.
The Basics of Information Retrieval course supports students in independent use of information sources and databases. The objective is that the
student can find and use the information they need in their studies. The
course introduces new students to the library, its collections, services and
facilities and teaches them the use of electronic library systems, particularly the arsca database for art university libraries. The student will become familiar with the art databases accessible through the library website.
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Academy of Fine Arts
Curricula Guide 14–15
Roma Auskalnyte’s work, completed at the Printmaking course Julkaise – Publish!
62
The content of the course will be negotiated with the students to a large
part; however, there will be a number of fixed items that will be covered.
There will be, for example, discussion as well as additional out of class
work. Reading (reading techniques, academic & subject-specific articles),
writing (practical writing), oral (group discussions), listening (learning
to listen for language).
English for Academic & Professional Skills: Presentation Skills, 2 ce [Ku-2]
The aim of the course is to provide a forum for the discussion of a wide
variety of academic topics structured around the giving of presentations,
both informal and formal, by participants. In addition to learning and
practising various discussion techniques, participants will be introduced
to different styles of presentation; will be given instructions on how to
prepare and structure presentations; on how to answer questions on
presentations; as well as on how to ask questions of other presenters.
Language studies at another institution of higher education
Introduction to the History and Theory of Contemporary Art 5 cr [At-1]
The objective of the course is to introduce students to the central trends
and theoretical foundations of 20th century and contemporary art. Lecture topics include the classic avant-garde of the early 20th century, postwar thinking, the conceptualisation and “dematerialisation” of art in the
1960s as well as the practices of contemporary art. Students may complete this course with an examination or essay. The required literature
must be agreed with the professor of art history and theory.
Philosophy I – Introduction to Philosophy 2 cr [At-2]
INTERMEDIATE STUDIES ORGANISED BY
THE CENTRE FOR GENERAL STUDIES [A]
Drawing and Perception 10 cr [Ap]
Drawing and Perception studies annually repeat drawing courses as well
as other courses, the themes of which vary. Some courses are organised
together with different study programmes (painting, printmaking, sculp-
The studies in philosophy required for the Bachelor’s degree may be completed as a lecture course, book examinations or essays. The required
literature must be agreed with the professor of art history and theory.

The Artist in Society study module 2 cr [At-3]
The Artist in Society module uses visiting experts, panel discussions and
seminars in addition to lectures to examine artistic work in relation with
Curricula Guide 14–15
Academy of Fine Arts
The joo Flexible Study Right scheme enables students to complete language studies with courses offered by the University of Helsinki Language
Centre, Aalto University or another participating institution. Additional language studies may be included in optional studies. Other partner
institutions of higher education (Metropolia) also offer language courses to Academy students.
CENTRE FOR GENERAL STUDIES AND THE STUDY PROGRAMMES
The Art in Contemporary Society studies consist of a variety of compulsory
and optional theoretical studies, which deal with the theory, and philosophy­
of contemporary art, philosophy and film. For detailed information on
instruction, see the kotsa system or the Course catalogue 2013–2014.
English for Academic & Professional Skills:
Reading, Writing & Spoken Communication, 3 cr [Ku-1]
65
Theoretical studies: Art in Contemporary Society I 17 cr [At]
International degree students at the Academy of Fine Arts may participate
in the Finnish courses organised by the University of Helsinki Language
Services. The Academy will cover the costs for a maximum of two Finnish
language courses. The courses feature instruction by highly skilled teachers in international groups. Teaching is available from basic to advanced
level. The demands levels for courses are indicated on a scale of 1 to 6.
CENTRE FOR GENERAL STUDIES AND THE STUDY PROGRAMMES
Finnish for Foreigners
64
Students interested in studying a language other than English as the first
foreign language or wishing to find more information on language studies
should contact the Study Affairs Assistant.
ture and time and space), making Drawing and Perception a channel for
collaboration between the programmes. The themes and methods of the
courses vary, but in terms of content all courses lay on the intersection between tradition and contemporary artistic practices. The running theme
in the courses is the emphasis on the significance of perception at the different stages of the artistic process.
The drawing courses offered as part of Drawing and Perception studies provide the opportunity to study both the traditional and experimental
forms of drawing in a committed way. The courses examine the relationship of drawing and perception, thought and expression. Other drawing
courses, organised as separate periods, complement traditional life drawing
instruction and offer a more in-depth perspective on some of its themes.
The short periods also explore the connection between the traditions of
drawing and the expanded range of media available in contemporary art.
Drawing and Perception studies also examine the area of visual thinking which is at the core of instruction in all the Study Programmes at the
Academy. For example, the courses study the structure of the image, visual interpretation and expression in contemporary art as well as the inherent problems of working methods, processes, the professional ethic
and social interaction as part of artistic work.
Drawing courses are mainly organised in the drawing class, which also functions as an open project space for other courses included in the
Drawing and Perception module.
First foreign language (English) 5 cr [Ku]
The purpose of writing instruction at the Academy of Fine Arts is to
integrate writing into the other teaching as much as possible from the firstyear of studies. Teaching focuses on the basics of writing an essay as well
as general communication skills. The course supports the completion of
the written components and essay of the thesis project. At later stages, the
studies may also include different genres of writing, such as art critique,
artist’s statements, exhibition texts and script writing.
The intention is to provide the artists with the skills needed to examine the developing issues of their field in writing and use writing as a natural part of their work.
Optional Theoretical Studies 6 cr [At-20]
The student selects interesting courses from the theoretical offering or
completes optional theoretical studies through examinations or essays.
The required literature must be agreed with the professor of art history
and theory.
ADVANCED STUDIES ORGANISED BY
THE CENTRE FOR GENERAL STUDIES [S]
Master’s seminar 6-10 cr [St-1]
The Master’s seminar is intended for students preparing their thesis projects, and features discussion on the artistic and practical issues in the
work related to the Master of Fine Arts degree. The seminar offers each
student the opportunity to present his or her work and receive interactive feedback. The work can be presented either as a process or as finished works, depending on the method. Each Master’s student will give
at least two seminar presentations during the two-years of study. One of
the presentations must be given in the term during which the student
intends to graduate. For the seminar to be registered as completed, students must give the required number of seminar presentations and participate in the seminar discussions sufficiently.
History and Theory of Contemporary Art II 5 cr [St-2]
General Studies organises a variety of advanced courses examining the
phenomena of contemporary art and their roots. The courses consist of
reading texts in art theory and philosophy and visits to topical exhibitions. Teaching organised by the other Study Programmes may also qualify for this section of the degree requirements. Students may complete
this course with an examination or essay. The required literature must
be agreed with the professor of art history and theory.
CENTRE FOR GENERAL STUDIES AND THE STUDY PROGRAMMES
CENTRE FOR GENERAL STUDIES AND THE STUDY PROGRAMMES
Written Expression courses 2 cr [At-4]
Theoretical studies: Art in Contemporary Society II [St]
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the society and the art world. The lecture course, seminars and workshops
explore the environments, influences and changing societal contexts of
artistic work. The module features visits from Finnish and international
artists, curators, gallerists and researchers.
A study module on working life skills offered for all University of the
Arts Helsinki students will begin in the 2014–2015 academic year. The study
module approaches artistic activities with regard to society and the art
world. The course will add to the student’s practical and cognitive skills
relevant to working as a professional artist. The study module concentrates
on the artist as a professional player in the Finnish and international
fields of art. The course contents are, for the most part, the same for
everyone. When considered necessary, the contents have been adapted
for the different academies. More information on the study module is
available on Kotsa.
Philosophy II – Introduction to Continental Aesthetics
and Art Philosophy 2 cr [St-3]
The module may be completed by taking an advanced course in philosophy (with a topic related to continental aesthetics and art philosophy) or
an examination, or by writing an essay. The required literature must be
agreed with the professor of art history and theory.
Optional Theoretical Studies 3-17 cr [St-10]
A selection of different theoretical courses may be included in optional
theoretical studies. Theoretical studies may also be completed in book examinations or by writing a literature-based essay. The required literature
must be agreed with the professor of art history and theory.
Artistic Studies: Critical Research and Practice [Sk]
The description of the module is under [At-3] the section on intermediate
studies. Some of the courses in the module are intended for both
intermediate and advanced students. The international workshops are
typically meant for students in their third, fourth or fifth years of study.
The University of the Arts Helsinki’s Working Life Skills study module
is primarily intended for students in the Master’s degree phase, but it is
possible to complete some parts in the Bachelor’s degree phase.
Curricula Guide 14–15
Academy of Fine Arts
The Artist in Society study module 6 cr [Sk-3]
The contact details for teachers and
other staff can be found at the address
www.kuva.fi/www.uniarts.fi. For more
information on studies, please see
the KOTSA system or the study leaflet
on Artsi, the intranet.
The Study Programme in Sculpture focuses on the use of three-dimensional space in artistic work. Studies are based on hands-on work and
keeping the traditions of sculpture alive. The many approaches of contemporary sculpture are also considered, along with an understanding
of the technical possibilities and their exploitation in the student’s independent artistic work.
CENTRE FOR GENERAL STUDIES AND THE STUDY PROGRAMMES
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The instruction in the Study Programme in Sculpture contains, in addition
to installations and works of art located in galleries or museums, the exploration of time, space and situation specific processes. Furthermore, the
programme emphasises understanding of works placed in public spaces.
The main emphasis of the studies is in the independent artistic work
of the student, advised through discussions, critique sessions and work
in seminars. The objectives of independent artistic work are to support
the expression and concepts of the student and the development of creative problem-solving abilities.

MAJOR SUBJECT STUDIES IN SCULPTURE 45 CR [AKV]
Major subject studies in Sculpture are divided into seminars, Basics of the
Method studies and Research and Practice studies. The credit amounts
are flexible, so the student may choose to focus more energy on certain
areas. The student completes the independent artistic work required for
the degree in his or her study programme.
Sculpture Seminars and Critique 10–20 cr [Akv-1]
The Sculpture seminars are divided into three sections:
• Expanded field of sculpture
• Seminars that explore the works by Sculpture students
• Critique sessions
Curricula Guide 14–15
Academy of Fine Arts
Linda Emily Al-Ghussein, Hei hei ystävät (Bye Bye Friends; a detail),
2014, gypsum, silicon, cloth, clay model, epoxy, paper, wood, audio. Kuvan Kevät 2014 Exhibition.
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STUDY PROGRAMME
IN SCULPTURE
• maximum points for seminar attendance
= 2 cr / term, i.e., 4 cr / year
• presentation of own work 1 cr / presentation
(included in the credits for the seminar)
• participation in a critique 1 cr / session
Basics of the Method 10-20 cr [Akv-20]
Independent Artistic Work 30 cr [As]
A maximum of 15 credits may be granted for independent artistic work
per term.
ADVANCED STUDIES IN SCULPTURE [S]
Master’s degree students typically attend the joint seminars, lectures and
workshops organised by the Study Programme in Sculpture. At the Master’s level the students may deepen their competence according to their
own interests and discuss their studies with the professor, lecturer and
other teachers. Some of the seminars, lectures, courses and trips may be
intended primarily for Master’s level students.
Artistic Studies: Critical Research and Practice 50–60 cr [Sk]
Advanced seminar in Sculpture 4–9 cr [Sk-1]
Different types of seminar work, organised by the professor of sculpture.
Workshops in Sculpture 10 cr [Sk-2]
The Sculpture workshops are normally open to all students of Sculpture. Students receive supervision according to the level of their studies and needs.
Artistic Work 25–40 cr [Ss]
A maximum of 15 credits may be granted for independent artistic work
[Ss-2] per term for the first three terms. The independent artistic work,
taking place during the spring term of the fifth-year of study or, for students completing the two-year Master’s programme, the spring term of
the second-year of study, is included in the credits awarded for the thesis project.
Curricula Guide 14–15
Academy of Fine Arts
Every year, the Study Programme in Sculpture organises courses focusing
on different technical, methodological and conceptual principles. The basic courses in technique are mainly arranged in the spring, and the courses expanding artistic expression in the autumn.
Courses instructing students in the proper use of equipment and material as well as safety issues are compulsory. Courses in the traditional working methods of sculpture, such as molding and casting, subtractive and additive techniques, stone working and modelling are partially
optional. The student may focus on technical areas of sculpture according to his or her interests. The module also seeks to enhance students’
­professional skills as artists by providing them with skills needed for participation in art competitions.
The Study Programme in Sculpture frequently invites Finnish and international artists and experts for teacher visits. The Study Programme organises a variety of projects and workshops both in Finland and abroad.
Study trips are also a central component of instruction. The goal of the
thematic courses and the trips is to expand the range of techniques and
modes of thinking available to the students. International experiences
can also broaden their concept of sculpture.
CENTRE FOR GENERAL STUDIES AND THE STUDY PROGRAMMES
CENTRE FOR GENERAL STUDIES AND THE STUDY PROGRAMMES
Accrual of credits:
Research and Practice 10-20 cr [Akv-30]
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The expanded field of sculpture includes thematic lecture series on the
foundations and methods of contemporary sculpture as well as artist visits. Its intention is to engage students in a topical discussion.
The seminars of Sculpture feature presentations by the students on
the current phase of their artistic work. The seminars offer a forum for
discussion and their purpose is to process the students’ work from the
basis of unfinished works, concepts and ideas.
The students present their own works at the seminar and critique
sessions once every term, and take part in the seminar group discussions.
The Study Programme in Sculpture organises one seminar group for all
its students.
The critique sessions are instruction sessions where the student receives feedback on his or her work and has the opportunity to defend his
or her perspective. This helps students understand and receive criticism
while developing their own argumentation skills and conceptual repertoire.
Expert assessors from outside the Academy are invited to participate in
the critique session where students are expected to show finished works.
The sculpture seminars begin in the spring of the first-year. Typically
students present their Bachelor’s project during the autumn term of the
seminar of the fourth year of study.
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CENTRE FOR GENERAL STUDIES AND THE STUDY PROGRAMMES
STUDY PROGRAMME
IN PAINTING
i
The contact details for teachers and
other staff can be found at the address
www.kuva.fi/www.uniarts.fi. For more
information on studies, please see
the KOTSA system or the study leaflet
on Artsi, the intranet.
The studies offered by the Study Programme in Painting broaden the students’ understanding of painting and help them see contemporary painting within the context of the traditions of the medium.
The purpose of the instruction in Painting is to examine the significance of painting in this time, as part of the discourses of contemporary
art. The development of the medium is explored in relation to its tradition, to the different forms of expression and theories of contemporary
painting as well as visual culture in general.
The studies in Painting will provide the student with the abilities to
analyse the different ways of visual presentation, their contents of meaning and frameworks in order to benefit from them in the construction of
the student’s own ideas and artistic work.
The studies help the student to find personal practices and discourses,
to master the artistic tools and to understand the relationship between his
or her own expression and the constantly shifting field of contemporary art.
The students will be provided with the abilities to identify the challenges
currently affecting the field, which they will be faced with after graduating
and beginning professional artistic work.
Curricula Guide 14–15
Academy of Fine Arts
The command of the technical basic abilities of painting is integrated
with conceptual and art theoretical considerations, with emphasis laid
on the student’s independent artistic work and providing support for the
student’s individual expressive foundations. The studies emphasise independent and long-term artistic work.
Courses vary by academic year and are conducted in groups of 10–
15. Forms of teaching include weekly seminars, workshops and lectures,
reading groups, supervision for independent artistic work and study trips.
Seminar in Painting 18 cr [Akm-1]
The Painting seminar typically meets on Mondays and involves all students
of Painting throughout their studies. The seminar is organised into groups
of approximately 10–15 students from different years headed by teachers.
There are usually five or six groups, including the thesis project seminars
led by professors as well as the English and/or Swedish-­language group.
The groups in the painting seminar examine and evaluate the work of
each student in turn. The seminar takes the form of an open discussion,
and student works need not be finished to serve as the basis of the seminar session. The purpose of the seminar is to prepare students to conduct a critical discussion on their own art in a public situation. The objective is to introduce students to extensive, history-conscious perspectives on the bases and methods of the artistic process and to encourage
students to independently cultivate, understand and question their artistic practices and discourses.
The seminars in Painting begin in the spring term of the first-year
of studies.
The 18 credits awarded for the seminars in the Bachelor’s degree are
accrued in the following manner:
•
•
•
•
1st year — Spring 3 cr
2nd year — Autumn 3 cr + Spring 3 cr
3rd year — Autumn 3 cr + Spring 3 cr
4th year — Autumn 3 cr
The Research and Practice module in the Study Programme in Painting includes workshops, laboratory work and lecture courses. The workshops are divided into practical workshops and laboratories. The practical workshops are primarily intended for students in their first to fourth
years of study, and discuss painting as a form of expression as well as
issues of content and technique. The laboratories are intended for students in their second to fifth years of study, and involve practice-based
theoretical issues examined from thematic perspectives. The laboratories involve workshops which combine theoretical and practical approaches. Painting students are required to complete workshop studies in Painting, but they can freely choose which practical workshops or
laboratories they take.
Independent Artistic Work 30 cr [As]
A maximum of 15 credits may be granted for independent artistic work
per term.
ADVANCED STUDIES IN PAINTING [S]
The Master’s studies aim at deepening the student’s expression and perspectives by working in various theoretical and international connections.
The 40-credit Master’s thesis project forms the core of these studies.
In the studies in the Master’s degree phase, emphasis is laid on combining theory and practice. The purpose is for the students to understand
and consciously prepare their own language of expression as a part of the
field of contemporary arts.
Artistic Studies: Critical Research and Practice [Sk]
Advanced Seminar in Painting 9 cr [Sk-1]
Basics of the Method 10 cr [Akm-20]
The Basics of the Method module for the Study Programme in Painting
is completed through a module in Material Studies. Materials Studies focuses on the structure, properties and potential uses of materials. Topics
include materials studies of painting supports, painting techniques, binders in paints and pigments. These topics are explored from a historical,­
In the autumn term of the fifth-year of study, students working on their
thesis projects are collected into one seminar group led by the professor.
The thesis seminar features the exploration of the artistic content of the
works related to the Master’s thesis project of each student and considers
their possible forms in the degree exhibition to come. Each student must
conduct at least two seminar presentations during the academic year.
Curricula Guide 14–15
Academy of Fine Arts
Every student will present his or her work once per term. As a rule, students present their Bachelor’s thesis project during the seminar of the
autumn term in their fourth year.
The seminars are compulsory and require 80% attendance for completion. Of this attendance requirement, 10% may be completed through an
essay or completing the Umbrella module [At-20]. The module includes
pre-arranged exhibition visits as well as lectures by visiting experts and
workspace guidance. The Umbrella module is also open to students from
other Study Programmes.
Research and Practice 17 cr [Akm-30]
CENTRE FOR GENERAL STUDIES AND THE STUDY PROGRAMMES
CENTRE FOR GENERAL STUDIES AND THE STUDY PROGRAMMES
Major subject studies in Painting are divided into a seminar, studies in
the Basics of the Method as well as research and practice studies. The
student completes the independent artistic work required for the degree
in his or her Study Programme.
chemical-industrial and practical standpoint. The teaching also covers
occupational health and safety.
Compulsory elements in materials science studies include the theoretical portion (attendance required) and the Practices of Materials Science
course which is completed in conjunction with the theoretical course. In
addition, students must take a compulsory lecture examination. These
studies may be supplemented with an additional, optional workshop in
practical materials science, which can be used either in the workshop
studies in Painting or in optional intermediate studies.
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MAJOR SUBJECT STUDIES IN PAINTING 45 CR [AKM]
During their first-year of study, students selected in a separate admissions process to complete the two-year Master’s degree participate in the
seminar in Painting together with basic level students in Painting. During their second-year, they attend the thesis project seminar together
with other Master’s degree students. Consequently, they accrue 12 credits from the seminars.
• 1st year of Master’s degree studies (seminar in painting together
with Bachelor’s degree students) — Autumn: 3 cr + Spring 3 cr
• 2nd year of Master’s degree studies (thesis project seminar) —
Autumn: 3 cr + Spring 3 cr
Workshops and Laboratories in Painting 10 cr [Sk-2]
The laboratories in Painting are primarily intended for Master’s degree
students. Based on group teaching, the laboratories aim to combine theory with practice. The laboratory format consists of different thematic theoretical studies and practical workshops which seek to cultivate
an investigative approach and discussion of topical issues together with
practical work.
Artistic Work 25–35 cr [Ss]
A maximum of 15 credits may be granted for independent artistic work
­[Ss-2] per term for the first three terms. The independent artistic work
taking place during the spring term of the fifth-year of study or, for students completing the two-year Master’s programme, the spring term of
the second-year of study, is included in the credits awarded for the thesis project.
i
The contact details for teachers and
other staff can be found at the address
www.kuva.fi/www.uniarts.fi. For more
information on studies, please see
the KOTSA system or the study leaflet
on Artsi, the intranet.
The objective of instruction in Printmaking is to help students form an
understanding of printmaking as a versatile, multifaceted component of
contemporary art which is connected to tradition, its reinterpretation
and conceptual thinking.
The seminars, intensive courses, workshops and projects that form the
foundation of the Study Programme focus on the expressive possibilities
of printmaking, its methods and material bases.
The exploration of different presentation practices for the works is integral to the studies. This includes the possibilities offered to printmaking by spatial expression, moving image and different modes of publication as well as the construction of exhibitions.
A significant portion of the studies is comprised of the students own
artistic work, learning through failures and successes, experimentation
and planning. Teacher-student interaction and individual discussions are
central to this process. The goal is for the student to attain a comprehensive understanding of all the possibilities and conditions required to best
express him- or herself.
CENTRE FOR GENERAL STUDIES AND THE STUDY PROGRAMMES
CENTRE FOR GENERAL STUDIES AND THE STUDY PROGRAMMES
• 4th year — Spring 3 cr Seminar in Painting,
see Intermediate Studies
• 5th year — Autumn 3 cr + Spring 3 cr thesis project seminar
STUDY PROGRAMME
IN PRINTMAKING
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The nine credits awarded for the Master’s degree seminars are accrued in the following manner:
MAJOR SUBJECT STUDIES IN PRINTMAKING 45 CR [AKG]
Seminar in Visual Culture 15 cr [Akg-1]
The seminar in visual culture required for all students of printmaking,
features lectures, artist presentations and studio visits. Students give
presentations on their own works and discuss their contents and basics
in an interactive relationship with other students as well as professional­
Curricula Guide 14–15
Academy of Fine Arts
Major subject studies in printmaking are divided into a seminar, studies
in Basics of the Method as well as research and practice studies. The student completes the independent artistic work required for the degree in
his or her Study Programme.
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Basics of the Method 20 cr [Akg-20]
These studies are organised as intensive courses, workshops or projects
that focus on the expressive potential of printmaking in more detail. Students are expected to familiarise themselves with a broad range of printmaking. The methods discussed include e.g. metal graphics, lithography,
serigraphy, woodcut as well as photography-based and digital techniques.
Instruction in bookbinding and paper manufacturing is also provided. Students must also be familiar with the principles of printmaking materials:
special materials, colours, solvents, papers and films.
Research and Practice 10 cr [Akg-30]
Workshops, Intensive Courses and Projects in Printmaking 10 cr [Akg-30]
Students must have extensive knowledge of the foundations of the wide
field of printmaking as well as a focus on one of the following areas: metal
graphics, lithography, serigraphy, woodcut as well as photography-based
and digital techniques. Students explore the wide extent of the possibilities of printmaking through special courses discussing installations, different forms of moving image and the finer details of bookbinding.
Workshops, intensive courses and projects in printmaking including
to the Basics of the Method module may also be included in this module
once the required 20 credits for basics courses have been completed.
Independent Artistic Work 30 cr [As]
A maximum of 15 credits may be granted for independent artistic work
per term.
Curricula Guide 14–15
Academy of Fine Arts
Anna Sailamaa’s work 85/35 at the Kuvan Kevät 2014 Exhibition.
CENTRE FOR GENERAL STUDIES AND THE STUDY PROGRAMMES
artists and critics from Finland and abroad. The seminar covers different perspectives on the manifestations of printmaking and its position
in visual culture.
The seminar in visual culture begins in the spring of the first-year. After approximately 3.5 years of study, students present their Bachelor’s
thesis project at the seminar. Between one and three credits of Bachelor’s degree seminars are completed every term.
Lectures, artists’ introductions, presentations of the students’ work
and other seminar sessions are arranged once a week. A full completion requires 80% attendance and a large number of works presented
at the seminar.
STUDY PROGRAMME
IN TIME AND SPACE ARTS
i
The contact details for teachers and
other staff can be found at the address
www.kuva.fi/www.uniarts.fi. For more
information on studies, please see
the KOTSA system or the study leaflet
on Artsi, the intranet.
Artistic Studies: Critical Research and Practice [Sk]
Seminar in Visual Culture 4 cr [Sk-1]
Required for all students of printmaking, the weekly seminar on visual
culture features the students’ own works, lectures as well as visits to exhibitions and artists’ studios. For a detailed description of the seminar,
see section [Akg-1] above.
Workshops and Laboratories in Printmaking 10 cr [Sk-2]
See the descriptions of these modules in sections [Akg-20] and [Akg30] above.
Independent Artistic Work 30–40 cr [Ss]
A maximum of 15 credits may be granted for independent artistic work
[Ss-2] per term for the first three terms. The independent artistic work
that takes place during the spring term of the fifth-year of study as well
as for students completing the two-year Master’s degree, the spring term
of the second-year of study, is included in the credits awarded for the
thesis project
Curricula Guide 14–15
Academy of Fine Arts
The instruction in the study programme of Time and Space Arts focuses
on the spatial, conceptual and bodily dimensions of artistic activities. Their
starting point is that art is, by nature, processes and events. The Time
and Space Arts have a tendency to reach outwards and they contain the
element of constant exploration and experiments. The artistic work has
strong connections to media and visual culture and to the extending field
of the fine arts, in which the artist’s role can take many forms.
The student can place emphasis on one of the three specialisations of
the study programme: Moving Image, Photography, or Site and Situation
Specific Art. The objective of this study programme is to provide the
students with a thorough understanding of these fields of art as well as
provide insight into the manners in which they are interconnected and
linked to the general history and theory of contemporary art. Instruction
in the Time and Space Arts is composed of courses, workshops, seminars
and independent artistic work supported and monitored during individual
contact sessions of instruction. In addition to the permanent teaching
staff, instruction is given by a number of visiting artists.
Students are encouraged to find their own approach and to experiment
with new methods of expression as well as to explore the possibilities that
time, space and installations offer. Work can also have performative, involving
and social elements. The medium is as likely to be one’s own body as it is
video, film, photography, audio, or electronic and interactive media. The
objective of instruction is to render the sensitivity of observation and develop
critical thinking. Through practice and theory, students are encouraged to
find their own strengths, methods and contents of their artistic work. This
is a way to promote the students’ artistic work and thinking.
Instruction in the Time and Space Arts is composed of courses,
workshops, seminars and independent artistic work supported and
monitored by arranging individual contact sessions of instruction. Students
taking the Bachelor’s degree in the study programme begin their studies
with a period intended for all students that offers insight to the various
alternatives of specialisation and their fundamentals.
CENTRE FOR GENERAL STUDIES AND THE STUDY PROGRAMMES
CENTRE FOR GENERAL STUDIES AND THE STUDY PROGRAMMES
The objective of the Master’s degree studies in Printmaking is to create
professional printmaking artists who are conscious of their position as
artists in the context of contemporary art and are capable of analysis.
Students are encouraged to test the expressive limits of printmaking and
to examine its reflections in other visual arts. Artistic research in printmaking as well as its conceptual nature are analysed through practical
work, discussions and written expression.
Instruction is based on the students’ own expression, and seeks to
develop their specialist competences while exploring the latest methods of printmaking.
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ADVANCED STUDIES IN PRINTMAKING [S]
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Academy of Fine Arts
Curricula Guide 14–15
Paula Saraste, The Sleeping Man, 2014, HD video 11 min. Kuvan Kevät 2014 Exhibition.
Seminar in the Time and Space Arts, 10-14 cr [Akt-1]
Moving Image Seminar [Akte-1]
Site and Situation Specific Art Seminar [Aktp-1]
Photography Seminar [Aktv-1]
The special questions of each field are addressed in the seminars for the
specialisation programmes in the Time and Space Arts. Students present
their works in their various stages of completion. Finnish and international
Research and Practice 15–19 cr [Akt-30]
Each specialisation in the Time and Space Arts organises courses on
research and practice in its own field. These are further divided into
historical and theoretical modules and workshops. Students may choose
to complete the required number of credits from workshops in different
specialist options. Students completing history and theory sections in
more than one specialist option may include the additional studies in
optional major subject studies.
History and Theory of Moving Image 3 cr [Akte-30his]
Workshops in Moving Image 12-16 cr [Akte-30typ]
The specialisation studies in Moving Image include film and video art,
experimental cinema and media art (including sound art), critical media
art theory and ciné philosophy.
The purpose of the instruction is to provide students with the necessary skills to use moving image as a tool of artistic expression. Instruction is composed of the technical and expressive methods used in moving
image and absorbing the conceptual thinking of the field.
The courses and workshops feature Finnish and international artists
and experts. The moving image area of specialisation participates in collaborative projects relating to sculpture, installations, spatial art, printmaking and sound art.
Curricula Guide 14–15
Academy of Fine Arts
One of the most essential methods of instructions is the study programme
seminar, where students present their completed works and works in progress
together with their premises. The seminar sessions are composed of free-form
conversation addressing questions on the content and form of the works and
more general reflection on the topical phenomena in the field of contemporary
arts. Open conversation is the method of instruction in the seminar.
Students participate in the Time and Space arts seminars from the
autumn of the second study year.
In order to complete a Bachelor’s degree, a student must obtain a total
of 10 study credits from seminars, meaning two study credits per term. To
complete a Master’s degree, four study credits must be obtained from a
Time and Space Arts Seminar and four credits from the Time and Space
Arts’ Master’s Programme Seminar.
To complete a seminar, at least 80% class attendance is required in
addition to one or two presentations on one’s own work. Students can choose
to participate in the Time and Space Arts Seminar in Finnish or English.
Most students present their Bachelor’s thesis project in the Time and
Space Arts seminar during the autumn term of the fourth study year
(after 3.5 years of study).
Second-year Master’s Programme students preparing their Master’s
thesis projects take part in the Time and Space Arts Master’s seminar,
organised as intensive courses.
Basics of Time and Space Arts 20 cr [Akt-20av]
Basics of Time and Space Arts is a compulsory orientation module for
first-year students in the Time and Space study programme. The study
module comprises several courses. During the study module, the basics
of each specialisation are studied with regard to taking photographs,
setting up lighting, audio and site- and situation-specific work. Works
of art are processed with different media during the study module. This
will provide students with both the technological skills needed to use the
study programme’s equipment as well as expressive abilities in the field
of time and space arts. The module is completed in the spring term of
the first study year.
All new students in the Time and Space Arts programme take part in
the study module. The new Master’s Programme students who feel that
they need these skills are also welcome to join the courses.
CENTRE FOR GENERAL STUDIES AND THE STUDY PROGRAMMES
CENTRE FOR GENERAL STUDIES AND THE STUDY PROGRAMMES
The major subject studies in Time and Space Arts offer both study
modules intended for all the students and those with emphasis on the
three programmes of specialisation. The student can either focus on one
specialisation or adapt the make-up of the major subject studies by taking
courses in more than one specialisation.
Moving Image offers insight in the audio-visual arts that are based on
video, experimental film and digital media.
The specialisation in Site and Situation Specific Arts contains studies
in environmental, community and installation arts and performance art.
In the specialisation of Photography, students focus on the technological
and expressive possibilities that photography has in contemporary art.
The study programme of Time and Space Arts lets students choose the
manner in which they place emphasis on the studies and elements in these
fields of specialisation: seminars, basics of the methods, research and practice.
experts are also invited to take part. Exhibition visits and other excursions
may also make up a part of the seminars. Should the student so wish, he/
she can participate in seminars for the different specialisations during
the study terms.
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MAJOR SUBJECT STUDIES IN TIME AND SPACE ARTS 45 CR [AKT]
History and Theory of Photography and Contemporary Art 3 cr [Aktv-30his]
Photography Workshops 12-16 credits [Aktv-30typ]
Master’s degree studies deepen the student’s personal expression and vision by processing works in different theoretical and international contexts. The 40-credit Master’s thesis project forms the core of these studies.
Master’s level instruction focuses on the integration of theory and practice. The intention is to help students understand their own language of
expression and to consciously connect it to the field of contemporary art.
Artistic Studies: Critical Research and Practice [Sk]
Seminar in Time and Space Arts 4 cr (Sk-1)
The seminar in Time and Space Arts, in Finnish or in English, is a
compulsory study module for first-year Master’s students.
Master’s Seminar in Time and Space Arts 4 cr [Sk-1]
The Master’s phase seminar in Time and Space Arts is a compulsory study
module. Led by the professors in the Study Programme, the Master’s
seminar in Time and Space Arts is a required module focusing especially
on the issues relating to the Master’s thesis and full support is given to
ensure progress is made on the work.
Workshops and Laboratories in Time and Space Arts 10 cr [Sk-2]
Some of the workshops and laboratories in Time and Space Arts are intended especially for Master’s level students. The laboratory format consists of different thematic theoretical studies and practical workshops
which seek to cultivate a research perspective and discussion of topical
issues of content together with practical work.
Independent Artistic Work 30-40 [Ss]
A maximum of 15 credits may be granted for independent artistic work
[Ss-2] for the first three terms. The independent artistic work taking place
during the spring term of the fifth-year of study or, for students completing
the two-year Master’s programme, the spring term of the second-year of
study, is included in the credits awarded for the thesis project.
Curricula Guide 14–15
Academy of Fine Arts
As a part of the study programme, photography has a complex interactive
relationship with the other forms of Time and Space Arts. As the method
possesses strong connections to the different fields of art and culture, it
has enormous expressive and conceptual dimensions. It may serve as
the main tool for one’s artistic work, but just as well as a single element
within temporally and spatially complex artistic expression. All these
possibilities, offered by photography, are investigated in a number of
artist-led workshops.
The goal of the workshops is to grasp the dimensions of photography as
a method of contemporary art and find one’s own strengths of expression.
The studies place emphasis on the many possibilities connected to
contexts, spaces and techniques. The visual and conceptual dimensions
of photography are given equal importance, together with – for example
– the boundaries of fact and fiction. The courses feature different working
methods; some with set assignments, themes and techniques and some
with more independent work. Workshops led by teachers/artists are
organised every year.
The study module in the history and theory of photography can be
composed of a series of lectures discussing the intersections of photography
and contemporary art, taking place over the whole term, or a more intensive
course addressing the essential questions in the theory of photography.
These studies will help students to contextualise their own work with
reference to the field and theory of photography and contemporary art. While
doing so, they will help students to gain a more profound understanding
of photography as a form of art and support their own artistic work. It is
highly recommended that study modules in the history and/or theory of
photography should be taken starting as early as the second study year.
Completion: 80% class attendance and the assignments given.
ADVANCED STUDIES IN TIME AND SPACE ARTS [S]
CENTRE FOR GENERAL STUDIES AND THE STUDY PROGRAMMES
CENTRE FOR GENERAL STUDIES AND THE STUDY PROGRAMMES
The specialisation studies in The Site and Situation Specific Art focus on
environmental art, performance art and installation.
The objective of the instruction is to explore the situations and questions, which arise when the art works and artistic processes enter the
world beyond the studio. The intention is to provide students with an
understanding of site and situation specific projects, which are completed outside locations specifically assigned for the arts, such as museums
and galleries.
Studies in Site and Situation Specific Art consist of practical workshops
in environmental, installation, performance and community art, group
­discussions as well as historical and theoretical lectures. The teaching also
aims to discover and practice new ways of working as an artist in society.
Independent Artistic Work 30 cr [As]
In addition to the different courses, students must also conduct independent artistic work and participate in guided discussion and critique
sessions. A maximum of 15 credits may be granted for independent artistic work per term.
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History and Theory of Site and Situation Specific Art 3 cr [Aktp-30his]
Workshops in Site and Situation Specific Art 12–16 cr [Aktp-30typ]
The contact details for teachers and
other staff can be found at the address
www.kuva.fi/www.uniarts.fi. For more
information on studies, please see
the KOTSA system or the study leaflet
on Artsi, the intranet.
Curricula Guide 14–15
Academy of Fine Arts
The Praxis Master’s Programme is targeted at artists and students of
theoretical disciplines who have an interest in the various methods of
exhibition in the fine arts. The students who complete the programme
will graduate with a Master of Fine Arts degree. The two-year Master’s
Programme comprises 120 study credits. Students were admitted to the
programme in 2012 for the first time; in the autumn of 2014, the programme
will take place for the second time.
Praxis – Master’s Programme in Exhibition Studies offers the student
the tools for content-oriented exhibition of art, with emphasis on the
perspectives of the work of an artist. The programme provides the students
with the theoretical and practical qualities needed for discussing art and
for the methods of presenting and mediating art.
The students are provided with the essential knowledge of art theory
and criticism as well as the practical aspects of arranging art exhibitions –
in a broad sense, the practicalities linking the arts and the art world. The
objective is to offer the students new kinds of professional possibilities.
The contents of the instruction take into account the increasing need
of artists and other professionals in the field of the arts to participate in
international work opportunities, discussions and the circulation of the
works of art. An additional purpose of the Master’s Programme is to
promote the realisation of student exhibitions and artistic projects and
to establish contacts in the field of fine arts and the related institutions.
The programme works in cooperation with museums and other
exhibition venues, various art institutions, arts and science universities
in Finland and abroad and organisations in the field.
CENTRE FOR GENERAL STUDIES AND THE STUDY PROGRAMMES
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Teemu Korpela’s painting installation Deposition at the Kuvan Kevät 2014 Exhibition.
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PRAXIS – MASTER’S
PROGRAMME IN
EXHIBITION STUDIES
The Advanced studies (120 credits) focus on the theoretical knowledge of
art, the history of contemporary art and the practices of art presentation
and exhibitions. They are further divided as follows:
Art and Theory – Contexts in art (i.e., studies in art theory) [Pxt]
approximately 35 credits
These studies include study modules on the theory and history of
contemporary art, the methodology of art studies, philosophy of art, art
critique writing about art, etc. The studies also feature lectures by visiting
professors, seminars and workshops.
i
Contact information for both teaching
staff and non-teaching staff can be found
online at www.kuva.fi/www.uniarts.fi
You will find information on the instruction
offered on KOTSA or Artsi the intranet.
Practicalities of arranging an art exhibition (exhibition practices)
and artistic studies for those students with fine arts background [Pxn]
approximately 45 credits
The study module includes courses such as: theoretical basics of art
curating, the ‘As an artist in society’ course, exhibition design and
production, installation of art, special matters in curating, cultural and
artistic administration and legislation. Furthermore, the students are
provided with relevant basics on marketing the arts and on cultural
production.
Those students in the programme who have a fine arts background
also complete artistic studies as a component of the degree.
Master’s thesis project and maturity test 40 credits
If the student has not completed the language studies required for the
Master of Fine Arts degree at an earlier stage, he/she must complete them
in addition to the Advanced studies (120 study credits) described above.
More detailed information about the degree requirements for the Praxis
Master’s Programme will be posted on the intranet system Artsi and
information about instruction on Kotsa.
Curricula Guide 14–15
Academy of Fine Arts
Since 1997, it has been possible to complete a postgraduate degree –
the Doctor of Fine Arts (DFA) – at the Finnish Academy of Fine Arts.
Doctoral studies at the Finnish Academy of Fine Arts are coordinated
by the Doctoral Studies Programme. Doctoral studies equal at least 240
study credits in their entirety. The goal is for the studies to last – with
full-time commitment – for four years.
Students in the Doctoral Studies Programme are experts in their own
field, artists whose work is characterised by a research-oriented approach.
Their approach to their own language of expression is characterised by
awareness and they aspire to analyse and develop the operational methods
and strategies connected to artistic work.
The objective of the doctoral studies is to provide students with indepth expertise of research in the fine arts and its significance in society.
The goal is for students to attain the abilities needed in order to complete
works of high quality that reflect artistic maturity and to be able to carry
on creative, independent work in the field in question, as well as apply the
methods of artistic research in the development of the field.
The Doctor of Fine Arts project is made up of either both artistic and
theoretical components or of a theoretical component only. The theoretical
postgraduate studies comprise studies that promote the student’s artistic
research work and are mainly organised in seminars. As a part of the
Doctoral Studies research seminar, three to four seminar session days
take place each month, comprising seminars on work, essays and theory.
Attendance at the Research seminar is required for at least three years.
CENTRE FOR GENERAL STUDIES AND THE STUDY PROGRAMMES
CENTRE FOR GENERAL STUDIES AND THE STUDY PROGRAMMES
Master of Fine Arts degree (KuM/MFA) (120 study credits, two years)
DOCTORAL STUDIES
PROGRAMME
91
90
STRUCTURE OF THE DEGREE
93
Academy of Fine Arts
Elimäenkatu 25 A
BO Box 10
00097 Taideyliopisto
Tel. 09 7258 0000
www.kuva.fi
www.uniarts.fi
Josefina Nelimarkka, Aquatics, 2014, mixed techniques.
92
Academy of Fine Arts
Curricula Guide 2014-2015
Editor: Pinja Metsäranta
Design: Nimiö
Photos: Mikko Ryhänen,
Petri Summanen, the artists
Work on the cover: Riikka Ahlfors,
Confrontation, 2012.
Curricula Guide 14–15
Academy of Fine Arts
94
Academy of Fine Arts