MFA Crafts and MFA Fine Art

HDK-Valand Academy of Art and Design, University of Gothenburg welcomes applications for its MFA Crafts and MFA Fine Art programmes for entry in September 2024. 

A home for artistic and intellectual endeavour, the Academy is centrally located in the coastal city of Gothenburg, Sweden. Gothenburg has a vibrant arts scene including artist-led initiatives, many fostered by alumni. The Artistic Faculty is Scandinavia’s largest Academy of Arts. It is a leader in artistic education and research with multiple local, national and transnational partnerships and networks.

These two programmes have significant teacher-to-student ratios, with highly qualified and experienced educators, active as artistic practitioners and/or theorists. Dedicated workspaces, access to equipment and technical workshops, and technical support are offered. Compared to many other institutions, each programme accepts small numbers of students. This results in an engaged, attentive, respectful and dialogic education.

Applications from diverse cultural backgrounds are welcomed. 

MFA Craft
The international master’s programme in Crafts is well-established and highly renowned within the Nordic countries. Crafts constitute a societal reference point through their associations with human needs and activities and extend from tradition to science. Artistic exploration, through materials and concepts, is the basis of the programme. Coursework encourages the development of skill-based knowledge, fosters debate about the meaning of material enquiries, and investigates the conceptual identity of crafts. The artistic investigatory process comprises the foundation of the programme. Students access well-equipped workshops and study places.

The programme is an all-encompassing environment that involves constant exchange and interaction between undergraduate education, research, and society. The master’s programme in Crafts has three specialisations and pathways: jewellery art, ceramic art and textile art.

We seek students who want to invest in material exploration within crafts disciplines. Applicants should be able to develop an artistic practice based on their questions and concerns, to work independently and have the capacity for initiative. Candidates will be theory-curious and willing to develop writing practices to accompany their artistic practices. They will be committed to group learning and willing to instigate and participate in activities to develop a community of co-learners.

MFA Fine Art
This international MFA Fine Art programme is largely unique in the Nordic region and across the rest of Europe. Central to the programme’s vision is the contention that art and artists can make significant critical contributions to contemporary society. Emphasis is placed on questions of publicness, and the potential roles of art and artists in society. What, how, when, where - and for whom - are questions pursued by the programme’s educators and students. Students are introduced to research-oriented artistic practices. The division of theory and practice is sought to collapse. 

Each student develops an investigation into a self-selected topic, concern, problem or phenomenon. Incrementally they learn to test and apply newly gained skills in artistic research to advance their processes and chart decisions, working towards a defined and knowledgeable position. Many dominant conventions of art systems and the figuration of the artist are challenged through unlearning whilst learning. New practices to broaden how art is made public are encouraged. Alumni attest that, by graduation, they are well prepared to argue for the significance of their art, initiate and co-organise, obtain funding, gain opportunities, and secure their practices.

We seek applicants who are already concerned by contemporary challenges in society; and for whom the programme’s points of emphasis are in alignment with their desires for the future of their practices. We do not discriminate by artistic media, however, applicants will already be skilled in their chosen fine art media. Candidates will be theory-curious and willing to develop writing practices to accompany their artistic practices. They will be committed to group learning and willing to instigate and participate in activities to develop a community of co-learners.

For both programmes
Place: Gothenburg, Sweden. / Teaching Language: English. / Pace: 100 percent full-time study, two years. / Credits: 120 HEC. / Application: Deadline Monday, January 15, 2024, at 11:59pm, Swedish time (CET). Apply via universityadmissions.se. / Fees: No fees are charged for EU and EEA citizens, Swedish residence permit holders and exchange students. More Information is here. / Scholarships for fee-paying students: Information on scholarships is here. / Contact: admission [​at​] hdk-valand.gu.se.