Call for applications 2021–22: MA in Contemporary Art

The Master of Contemporary Art (MACA) program at the Estonian Academy of Arts is accepting applications from February 1 until March 1, 2021. 

MACA is the international two-year study program for emerging contemporary artists in Tallinn. The main focus of the program is to guide them during the development of their artistic practice. This is done through intensive creative work at the in-house studios in dialogue and collaboration with professors and exhibition opportunities in Estonia and the rest of Europe.

The curriculum focuses on the individual preferences of students, offering a chance to use the facilities at EKA, ranging from photography studios to a professional sound studio, as well as workshops for 3D modelling, textile, glass, ceramics, printmaking, the metalworking shop and many more. EKA encourages students to create interdisciplinary work and provides a full range of creative tools with highly trained staff working in the workshops.

The goal of the program is to prepare students for their professional life after graduation, which is why special emphasis is put on individual development and a close cooperation with tutors for the creative and theoretical MA thesis. Students are able to choose their tutor from high-ranking art professionals from Estonia and abroad.

New Heads of Curricula
As of 2020, the MACA program is co-led by two new Heads of Curricula, Mark Dunhill (UK) and Kristaps Ancāns (LV), who are encouraging young international artists to apply for the program:

“The fragile global situation has demonstrated that art needs to constantly address new imperatives and adopt new methods to engage with audiences. The program gives students an opportunity to explore and test different strategies and develop a discourse about art and culture in relation to the forms it can take in future. 

We are looking for applications from students who have an ambition to question and develop their work and ideas by engaging critically with the different practices, histories, theories, and contexts of contemporary art through intensive interaction with other students, professors, professional artists and audiences.

Ideally you will have an appetite for challenging familiar habits and assumptions and aspire to be thoughtful, inventive and resourceful in adopting creative and technical solutions; insightful and curious in researching theories and critical positions; articulate and confident in communicating to different audiences; informed and professional in selecting, editing and presenting your work, and defining your position as an independent artist.”

The program is meant for artists who have already started their careers and wish to dive deeper into their fields of interest in a professional environment. In addition to the facilities at the academy, together with EKA’s curatorial program, students have an opportunity to co-run VENT Space, a project space in Tallinn old town. The space provides a chance to connect with the Estonian art world, providing an audience and supporting cooperation between colleagues and disciplines. To learn more about our students’ activities, visit our Facebook page.

Academic staff
Permanent faculty professors include artists Kirke Kangro (dean of fine arts, installation and sculpture), Marge Monko (visual culture, video, installation), Liina Siib (visual and archival research, video and photo), Taavi Talve (neo-conceptual institutional critique, sculpture and installation), John Grzinich (field recordings, sound installation), Jaan Toomik (painting and performance-based video work).

Associate professors include Merike Estna (painting and craft discourses, performance), Kristi Kongi (colour, composition, space), Laura Kuusk (identity construction, photography, video), Reimo Võsa-Tangsoo (media studies, critical theory, image), Eve Kask (printmaking, artists’ books and objects), Oliver Laas (semiotics, philosophy of technology, game theory).

Visiting artists and guest lecturers in 2019/20 included Bita Razavi, Vytautas Michelkevičius, Anders Kreuger, Post Brothers, Alexey Plutser-Sarno, Bjarki Bragason, Christoph Draeger, Iggy Malmborg & Maike Lond, Aslan Gaisumov, Juste Kostikovaite, Ana Mendes, Lisa Stuckey. The list is constantly updated.

Application
Find out more on how to apply here. For more information about the program and admission requirements, visit artun.ee/maca, contact admissions [​at​] artun.ee or attend online open house on February 3.