Praxis - Master's programme in Exhibition Studies | Master of Fine Arts

The Praxis programme develops students’ thinking regarding the surrounding society as well as the exhibition and mediation of art. The goal is to understand the art world and its underlying forces and to establish different types of active work roles in the arts.

The Praxis programme students are educated together with art students. Praxis trains art professionals whose work and ideas reflect how the roles of a mediator of art, curator and artist are combined through the public exhibition of art. The goal of the studies is to train professionals to take on the many responsibilities in the field of art; experts who use their skills and knowledge in critical, innovative ways.

The Praxis studies offer both the basics of theory and philosophy of art and the practices of public exhibition of art. During the Praxis studies, students get the chance to work with artists in different kinds of spaces where art is exhibited, such as exhibition spaces, the public space, catalogues and digital environments. Instruction in the Praxis programme has a contact with instruction in Exhibition Studies and Spatiality at the Academy of Fine Arts, in which the contexts of exhibiting and experiencing art from the perspectives of cognitive, social and civic engagement activities are extensively addressed.

The Praxis Master’s programme places special emphasis on small-group teaching, which is implemented in collaboration with various actors in the field of art.

Teaching in the Praxis Master’s programme is based on the understanding that contemporary art and artistry are constantly changing and reacting to the changes in society. The teachers of the Master’s programme are established artists, researchers and curators, who are actively involved in a variety of expert functions. The programme will also invite guest teachers from abroad to share their expertise with the students. The guest teachers will give lectures, organise thematic workshops and special courses, and provide personal guidance to the students. They will also share their expertise by supervising and examining the students’ theses.

The Praxis – Master’s Programme in Exhibition Studies is an English-language degree programme and the language of tuition is English. All applicants must prove their proficiency in English when applying, in the manner defined by the academy. During their studies, students may also complete parts of their studies or their thesis in Finnish.