The Eugeniusz Geppert Academy of Art and Design in Wrocław

Mission Statement

In accordance with the applicable law and the preserved deposit of values developed in the centuries-old tradition of artistic education in the European civilisation space the Eugeniusz Geppert Academy of Art and Design in Wrocław recognizes as the fundamental objectives of its mission:

– ensuring the public presence of the visual arts in the cultural sphere and the aestheticisation of public spaces;

– adopting a role of a regional and supra-regional centre of artistic, research and didactic activity in the area of fine arts and design;

– integrating creative and studio attitudes, providing the artistic and scientific community with access to the professional workshop of modern and classical research and realization techniques;

– conducting activities open to the realisation of creative and research aspirations of students, artists and scientists;

-adopting the role of the centre of artistic activity of the academic community and the University graduates;

-assuming the role of a custodian of the historical tradition of academism and the Wroclaw Academy in its current international dimension.

International Role

The Academy is an active player on international stage. In recent years we are engaged in numeruous projects, i.a.:

1. Project ‘INTERNATIONALISATION OF EDUCATION, COMPETENT STAFF AND MODERN MANAGEMENT, A GUARANTEE OF QUALITY AND INTERNATIONALISATION’, co-financed by the European Union from the European Social Fund under the Operational Programme Knowledge Education Development Priority Axis III Higher Education for Economy and Development, Action 3.5 Comprehensive programmes of higher education schools. (in progress; 2018-2022) 

Exemplary activities: 

– Launching interdisciplinary second-and third-degree studies in English; 

– Involving lecturers from abroad in conducting and implementing educational programmes short-term and semester-long visits (e.g. Lisa Autogena – Cross Disciplinary Art Professor at the Communication and Computing Research Institute at the Sheffield Hallam University, UK; Prof. Thomas Riesing- Ball State University, USA; Torbjørn Kvasbø, International Academy of Ceramic in Geneva, Norway) 

– Enabling internships and residencies for lecturers of the Academy of Art and Design in Wrocław in renowned research and artistic centres (e.g. Northern Arizona University; Saga University, Arita, Japan; or International Ceramic Research Center in Skælskør, Denmark).   

2. Project  ‘FOREIGN ACCREDITATION’, financed by the European Union from the European Social Fund under the Operational Programme Knowledge Education Development.  The objective of the project was to increase the recognition and competitiveness of the university in the international arena through obtaining a positive assessment issued by NASAD (the American institution accrediting higher education establishments of the arts). Currently, the Academy is the only art and design academy in Poland and Europe that has received the Substantial Equivalency by NASAD. 

3. Project ‘WELCOME TO POLAND’ (2019-2022), co-financed by the European Union from the European Social Fund under the Operational Programme Knowledge Education Development. The main objective of the project was to increase the level of internationalisation of the Academy. The Project included, among others, training for employees strengthening language and intercultural competencies; design and implementation of an English-language system signposting system; adaptation of the library system for the needs of English-speaking readers; and launching a 24/7 security telephone line for a 24-hour security telephone line for foreign students.  

4. Project ‘STER’ (2019-2022) ), co-financed by the European Union from the European Social Fund under the Operational Programme Knowledge Education Development. The aim of the project was to internationalise the Doctoral School by increasing the attractiveness of the offer to foreign candidates. The programme assumed in particular: an increase in the number of foreign doctoral students studying in Poland, an increase of attractiveness of the offer of Polish institutions among candidates for doctoral studies from abroad, attracting doctoral students from abroad thanks to the scholarship offer. The intake covered by the project includes 8 foreign doctoral students (Mexico, Austria, Greece, China, Iraq, Iran, Turkey, Slovakia).  

5. Project ‘PROM – INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP EXCHANGE OF DOCTORAL STUDENTS AND STAFF FROM ABROAD’ (2019-23), co-financed by the European Union from the European Social Fund under the Operational Programme Knowledge Education Development. The aim of the programme is to improve the competencies of doctoral students and academic staff from Poland and abroad through granting scholarships for international exchange. Thanks to the PROM grant, the Doctoral School offers possibilities of participation in international conferences, training and summer schools, meeting particular requirements of the PhD candidates as well as enabling didactics professional development (e.g. Impact Conference- the biggest in the world Printmaking conference). In May 2022 the Academy organised Research Methods in Visual Arts Sypmosium in which 25 doctoral students representing 17 universities from 18 countries took part. Currently, as a response to the war in Ukraine and refugees' needs the programme has been transformed into scholarships grant. From October 2022 till February 2023 17 of Ukrainian students, submitted to the Academy upon bilateral agreement, get scholarships.

6. Project ‘Spinnaker 2021-23- Artistic spinning’ under the Polish National Agency For Academic Exchange programme‘SPINAKER – Intensive International Training Programmes.’ aims to create and implement 4 Intensive International Study Programs in the field of artistic glass, historical glass, artistic printmaking and art theory in the form of specialized courses, in a remote formula. The courses are addressed to foreign students and PhD students from all over the world, with special consideration for the needs of people with disabilities. The educational process within IISP is enriched by knowledge gained by the lecturers within specialist training in the field of methodology of teaching disabled persons and in the field of operating the infrastructure for remote learning. The project is co-financed by the European Union from the European Social Fund under the Operational Programme Knowledge Education Development. 

7. Project ‘STER- Internationalisation of Doctoral Schools’, financed by the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange. The project develops systemic support for the internationalization of doctoral education. The implementation of the project involves the realisation of 14 tasks, including the payment of scholarships for foreign PhD candidates, foreign artistic and research internships for PhD candidates, the participation of foreign supervisors, evaluators and reviewers in the process of doctoral educating, visits of foreign lecturers and professors, courses for staff and PhD candidates in the field of Virtual Exchange, study visits to leading artistic and research centres, and the organisation of an international conference on artistic research. 

In addition, international artistic initiatives (e.g. Drawing Triennial, High-Temperature Festival) are continuously implemented, together with international conferences (e.g. Research Methods in Visual Art Symposium, 05.2022), exhibitions and projects. The Academy has been the part of the Euro-Fabrique project (under French presidency of the Council of the European Union the project aimed at aristic redefinition of European symbols, identity and EU's citizenshp) with its results presented at the exhibition in Grand Palais Éphémère in Paris (02.2022).

In 2021 we have joined the Creator Doctus project which is aimed at creating a framework for a 3rd Cycle award/model for Higher Arts Education (HAE) and an international database of best practice in 3rd Cycle awards in HAE.  

Simultaneously, the agreements within the Erasmus + Programme, with over 100 institutions have been extended by the exchange of PhD candidates, facing their individual needs dictated by the Individual Research Programme.  

National Role

Academy of Art and Design in Wrocław has 19 exhibition spaces both on its own premises as well as in the city space. We cooperate with other art institutions in the city where common initiatives are undertaken. The place called  „Sztuka Na Miejscu” is one of the spaces where our art is exhibited in the city area, accompanied by the cafe’s atmosphere.

Academy runs its own Art Documentation Center, thanks to which it fulfills the role of art tradition depositary. The Center was founded in 1954. Its collection comprises works of teachers and outstanding diploma and course projects of students. Glass and ceramic objects, posters and paintings collected over 50 years constitute a unique collection. Part of the collection is presented on the permanent exhibition. Based on its own collection and the collections of its individual departments, the Center popularises and exhibits, cooperating with numerous museums, galleries and art schools in Poland and abroad. It also organises temporary exhibitions on site. It runs museum lessons for primary and secondary school children.

Festivals organised by the Academy (Festival of Painting, Festival of High Temperatures, Wrocław Drawing Triennale) situate the Academy in the center of artistic regional and national life as well as in the life of the local community which can enter the fascinating world of art. Public access to the Academy’s activities is also granted by initiatives like ‘Young Explorer University’, thanks to which kids and teenagers can take part in interesting workshops.

The unique character of the Academy is also granted by the Wrocław School of Graphic Arts or the only Faculty of Ceramics and Glass in Poland in this part of Europe with its traditional and original methods of workshop e.g. patte de verre method.

The Academy is a member of the Conference of Rectors of Universities of Arts, a Polish association that inspires and coordinates cooperation between member higher education institutions, represents joint interests of higher education institutions and takes measures leading to the establishment of an effective and integrated national education system, and promotes the development of higher education, science and culture. We also constitute a part of The Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland (CRASP) which is the representative body of academic schools or Collegium of Rectors of Universities of Wrocław and Opole which is the assembly of rectors of public academic institutions from the region, following the mission of integration of the academic community and supporting social and economic development by bringing the academic community and the knowledge it produces closer to the region's residents, politicians and entrepreneurs.

Permeation of artistic initiatives is permanently visible under the cooperation of art universities in Wrocław, i.e. The Karol Lipiński Academy of Music in Wrocław, AST National Academy of Theatre Arts- branch in Wrocław and the Academy of Art and Design in Wrocław. Realisations of stage design’s students are often used by the Academy of Theatre Arts.

The intermingling of activities takes place also across the art borders. In many cases we create modern solutions with Wrocław University of Science and Technology, combining technology and engineering with design. Together, we create apps that are programmed by IT students and designed by students of design or graphics. With the Wrocław University of Science and Technology and the Wrocław Technology Park joint works on designing social robots are implemented.

Preparing graduates ready to enter the labour market, we closely cooperate with business and industry sectors, granting students internships in the real work environment.

Main Focus

– PAINTING- educates students mainly in the field of widely understood painting and drawing. Studies within the group of subjects, supported by the knowledge gained in the Institute of History of Art and Philosophy, Institute of Foreign Languages and numerous studios of free choice, ensure comprehensive preparation of a young art student for the future individual creative and professional work, going beyond the thorough knowledge of easel painting and at the same time allowing for the formulation of artistic expression also in other artistic techniques. The faculty is represented by departments: Department of Painting, Department of Drawing and Department of Architectural Painting and Multimedia.The didactic programme in the Department of Painting is conducted in twelve studios, similar to the Department of Drawing. The programme of the Studio of Architectural Painting and Art in Public Space, as well as the Multimedia Studio is based on the integration of painting and interdisciplinary artistic activities. The Studio of Painting Techniques and Technologies together with laboratories enable students to realize their own painting concepts in selected techniques. The Electronic Media Studio is a supplement to the classical workshop with new media in artistic creation.

– DRAWING- The degree programme is designed to educate draughtsmen who are able to move freely in the world of contemporary art, who have specific skills and knowledge in the field of broadly understood artistic drawing and who are equipped with practical skills to find their place on the labour market (comics, illustration, press drawing, drawing in games, drawing in architecture, etc.). The possibility to adapt the study programme to the individual needs of the student (free-choice studios) allows for a uniquely individualised training programme. As a result, graduates of the Drawing programme have the skills, knowledge and competencies to expand their artistic skills and realisation possibilities into fields and techniques chosen by the student and going beyond the traditionally understood drawing (e.g. multimedia, graphic design, design, etc.).

–  SCULPTURE-The education programme of sculpture includes classes in two departments: the Department of Sculpture and Spatial Activities and the Department of Sculpture Techniques. The core of the Department of Sculpture and Spatial Activities are the Diploma Sculpture Studios, in which students develop the ability to formulate personal artistic expressions through various artistic activities in widely understood space. The Department of Sculpture Techniques offers the opportunity to learn how to design and realize works in various materials in the studios of: Stone, Metal, Ceramic Sculpture, Wood Sculpture and Casting in colourful metals. As part of this course of study, students also take classes in Intermedia, Photography and Information Technology, which provide an interdisciplinary curriculum focusing on communication and intermedia creative activities. Students also gain knowledge in conservation and reconstruction as well as stucco work. They learn the principles of analysing public space in the Sculpture in Architecture and Urban Planning Studio and develop their 3D design skills in the Computer Assisted Sculpture Studio. The graduates are able to analyse space and shape it creatively; they can function independently in the artistic world and on the art market.

– ART MEDIATION-  The curriculum includes degree courses such as: Art in Public Space, Creative Communication Studio, Spatial Relationship Studio, Word and Image Studio and Art Mediation. Students acquire a solid scope of theoretical knowledge which is supported by artistic and curatorial practice. In addition to subjects such as History of Art, Art Criticism, Analysis of Contemporary Art and Promotion of Visual Culture, they deepen their artistic experience with practical classes in drawing, painting, sculpture, graphic design, photography and audiovisual art. An extremely important element of education is cooperation with eminent personalities of the world of art, critics, galleries and cultural institutions – thanks to which the student penetrates into the living tissue of art and acquires the ability to mediate in its social reception.

– GRAPHICS– The degree studies include graphic design and printmaking with corresponding intermedia and photographic programme. The scope of education determines the graduate's skills in the use of traditional and modern electronic means of graphic communication. The graduates are competent in using variants of graphic language for persuasion, information, orientation, educational and artistic purposes. They are prepared to work independently on a wide market of book and press publications, advertising and in cultural institutions. They have humanistic and artistic knowledge appropriate for higher studies. Graduates are focused on shaping the artistic, social and cultural values of the graphic message. They maturely initiate, undertake and present important tasks of the public and private sphere.

–MEDIA ART- A graduate of the Bachelor’s studies acquires: ability to create and record moving images, the ability to edit and transform moving images, the ability to create and use the photographic image, ability to transpose and use the photographic and moving images in interactive media and multimedia projects (web, interactive productions). They learn the rules of intermedia actions, creating multimedia space and media persuasion. The above-mentioned skills enable the graduates to independently perform the tasks as well as to undertake work in cultural institutions, publishing houses, photo agencies and advertising agencies. The Master's studies educate graduates who are aware of the role of contemporary electronic media (photography, film, video, interactive media) and are prepared to function in the field of author's creation and its practical application. In the course of studies, graduates use their skills of creating photographic images and moving images (video, animation) to create fully original artistic and applied (including multimedia and interactive) messages. 

– ART AND DESIGN OF CERAMICS- is provided by the Department of Ceramics and the Department of Interdisciplinary Activities. It gives the students an opportunity to study in six diploma studios: Artistic Ceramics Studio I and, Pottery Wheel Studio, Applied Ceramics Design Studio I and II, Ceramics Design in Architecture Studio. It also has: Fundamentals of Ceramic Design Studio, Intermedia Activities in Ceramics Studio, Ceramic Techniques and Technologies in Painting and Sculpture Studio, and Laboratory of Technological Experimentation. Specialized infrastructure and workshops at the disposal of the faculty include a model room, a workshop for the preparation of ceramic masses and glazes, kiln studios equipped with a variety of kilns for firing ceramics, Blaauw gas kiln for the implementation of large objects, traditional Tongkama wood kiln, kiln for Black Ceramics. The studios are well stocked with materials and equipped with specialized equipment such as 3D printers for ceramic mass printing and a printer for ceramic carbon paper. The study programme provides full artistic and design preparation, developing creative individuality, talents and sensitivity, necessary in the work of a contemporary ceramic artist. Graduates gain an education that allows them to create individually in their own studios, work in design teams or cooperate with industry.

– ART AND DESIGN OF GLASS – is provided by the Department of Glass and the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies. It gives the students an opportunity to study in five diploma studios: Artistic Glass Studio I and II, Applied Glass Studio I and II, and Glass in Architecture Studio. There is also a Stained Glass Studio, a Basic Artistic Glass Studio, a Basic Functional Glass Studio, and a Laboratory of Workshop Activities with Elements of Glass Technology. The faculty has modern, specialized infrastructure and workshops at its disposal. Its technical facilities include a glassworks, which is one of the few such workshop centres in Europe, used for prototyping applied glass designs and realising artistic objects. The Department of Glass also includes: a grinding workshop, an engraving workshop, a gas burner workshop, a modelling workshop, a furnace studio equipped with various electric furnaces for melting and welding glass, both large sculptural forms and elements of architectural glazing and stained glass. The students draw on the experience of their professors. Strong emphasis is placed on the intellectual stimulation of the student based on their sensitivity; developing a conscious artist and designer, an original creative personality. Graduates of Art and Design of Glass are comprehensively prepared to undertake artistic and design activities in their own studios and to cooperate with the industry.

– CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION OF ARTWORKS WITHIN THE SCOPE OF CERAMICS AND GLASS- is provided by the Department of Conservation and Restoration of Artworks and the Department of Interdisciplinary Activities. It gives the students an opportunity to study in three diploma studios: Ceramics Conservation and Restoration Studio; Glass Conservation and Restoration Studio; and Stained Glass Conservation and Restoration Studio. In its structure, it also closely cooperates with each other: Ceramics Conservation and Restoration Methodology Studio, Ceramics Copy Studio, Glass Detail Copy Studio, Stained Glass Studio, Ceramics and Glass Conservation and Restoration Technology Studio, Ceramics and Glass Styling and Conservation Documentation Studio, Archaeological Monument Propedeutics Studio, and two design studios: Applied and Artistic Glass Design Studio and Applied and Artistic Ceramics Design Studio. The Department has at its disposal specialistic equipment for aging research as well as for research on historical ceramics, glass and stained glass, including a portable XRF, Raman and FTIR spectrometer. There are specialized workshops for glass modelling and grinding, and the studios are equipped with furnaces for firing ceramics, glass and stained-glass paintings, fume hoods and workstation exhaust systems. The diploma gives the graduates the right to work in conservation and restoration teams and to work independently in the field of ceramics, glass and stained glass conservation and restoration.

– INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE- the curriculum of Interior Architecture is based on two blocks of subjects – a group of basic subjects and a group of degree subjects, expanded by humanistic courses and supplementary education. Students are prepared to design widely understood interior architecture, furniture and exhibition space. At the Bachelor's level, the curriculum provides preparation for the profession of interior designer in the basic range. During the Master's studies, design-artistic creation is important, and above all preparation for independent formulation and solving of design problems, self-education and expansion of directional knowledge and knowledge of a humanistic nature. The ultimate goal, the results of education in the field of interior architecture is to obtain the relevant competencies and skills based on specialized knowledge and professional practice acquired during the studies, necessary for further conscious development of artistic personality and comprehensive experience of the role of designer and creator of the surrounding reality.

– DESIGN- Students are prepared to design industrial forms based on a wide range of humanistic knowledge and acquired specialist skills, as well as general arts education. The education is carried out according to the didactic programs in the design studios of the Department of Design. Topics covered include designing products of various structures and functions, means of transport, visual messages and complex information structures, designing packaging, tools and working environments, everyday objects, and kinetic objects.

– STAGE DESIGN-  allows for the realization of own mode of training for theatre, film and puppet stage designers.