MAContemporary Art
| Study location | Estonia, Tallinn |
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| Type | Postgraduate, full-time |
| Nominal duration | 2 years (120 ECTS) |
| Study language | English |
| Awards | MA (Master of Arts) |
| Course code | 194479 |
| Tuition fee | €2,900 per year Tuition fee: 1900 euros per year (for citizens of EU, UK, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein; Turkey, Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova and Switzerland) Tuition fee: 2900 euros per year (for non-EU citizens) |
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| Application fee | €80 one-time Application fee is non-refundable. |
| Entry qualification | Undergraduate diploma (or higher) NB! Students graduating in the summer of 2025 who are unable to submit their educational documents (diploma and transcript of records) before the deadline are required to submit their latest transcript of records containing their current grades, and a written confirmation (email, certificate etc) from their educational institution stating that educational documents will be issued to graduates no lather than at the end of June 2025. The entry qualification documents are accepted in the following languages: English / Estonian. NB! All the required documents, including the English language proficiency certificate, have to be submitted with the application by March 3rd 2025. Upload the educational documents digitally to the application. – Bachelor’s degree certificate or equivalent, and its translation into Estonian or English (both the copy and translation have to be attested). NB! Translations are only requested if documents are not in English or Estonian. Both the copies of documents in their original language and translations have to be attested. – Transcript of records, and its translation into Estonian or English (both the copy and translation have to be attested). NB! Translations are only requested if documents are not in English or Estonian. Both the copies of documents in their original language and translations have to be attested. Detailed information about suitable qualifications and required documents can be found on the following links: Please note that only accepted applicants will be required to send physical copies of their educational documents by post to EKA (by post or courier services, like DHL, FedEx etc). More specific instructions will be provided to each applicant individually, so please do not send any documents by post unless you have been asked to do so. NB! We do not accept original documents, self-attested copies, photocopies or printouts! |
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| Language requirements | English NB! All the required documents, including the English language proficiency certificate, have to be submitted with the application by March 3rd 2025. EKA accepts the following international language tests as proof of English language proficiency. Here are the minimum requirements set by EKA: – TOEFL ITP: min 543 State exams in English taken in Estonia, Finland or Latvia: Upload the certificate digitally to the application. NB! We accept language certificates for up to two years after they are issued. WAIVING ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS English proficiency test may only be waived if the applicant meets one of the following requirements: – The applicant has completed their secondary education, bachelor’s or master’s degree taught fully in English in one of the following countries: EU/EEA member states, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or United Kingdom. The applicant must have resided in the mentioned country while doing their studies. Please also note that the transcript of records must include that studies were conducted fully in English. – The applicant has studied for at least one academic year as a full-time student (obtaining a minimum of 45 ECTS with positive results) in English in an institution of higher education in one of the following countries: EU/EEA member states, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or United Kingdom. NB! We will only accept certificates issued by educational institutions if the waiver criteria is met. |
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| Other requirements | A relevant portfolio is required. Portfolio must be well structured and contain at least 8 works (at least 5 works in case of larger projects). Passing the portfolio round is required for admission to the interview. The questionnaire must contain comprehensive and articulate answers to all the questions asked. Portfolios are evaluated by the comprehensibility of the artist’s position, content and concept of the artworks, professional execution, adequate description of the works and awareness of the contemporary art context. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: • copy of your bachelor’s degree certificate or equivalent • copy of your transcript of records • English language proficiency certificate • copy of the data page of your passport or ID-card • CV • Portfolio must be well structured and contain at least 8 works (at least 5 works in case of larger projects). Portfolios are evaluated by the comprehensibility of the artist’s position, content and concept of the artworks, professional execution, adequate description of the works and awareness of the contemporary art context. The admissions committee evaluates the portfolios submitted by applicants. On the basis of the portfolio score, candidates will be invited for an interview. • Questionnaire must contain comprehensive and articulate answers to all the questions asked. Answer the following questions (add it as a PDF file to the application) 1. Please describe and analyze your artistic practice. (Max 1200 characters including spaces) 2. What does ‘contemporary art’ mean for you and what are your key motivations for you to make art? (Max 1200 characters including spaces) 3. Name the last exhibition or other recent experience with contemporary art that really moved you – elaborate on how and why it affected you. (Max 1200 characters including spaces) 4. What do you want to achieve during the two-year period of the Contemporary Art MA studies in EKA? 5. What kind of experiences or challenges are you looking for in this MA program? Are there any specific skills, methods and forms of knowledge you hope to acquire? 6. What do you see yourself potentially bringing or contributing to the MA program? (Skills, peer support, cultural diversity, independent initiatives, discussion topics, etc.) 7. Please name key topics and themes you feel contemporary artists are confronted with today. 8. How did you hear about the Estonian Academy of Arts Contemporary Art MA program? 9. How many different MA programs are you applying to? –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Passing the portfolio round is required for admission to the interview. The interview will take place on March 27, 2025. NB! The exact interview time for each candidate will be announced to him/her via DreamApply a few days ahead. he interview will take place based on submitted documents (portfolio, questionnaire, CV). During the interview, the applicant will present their artistic practice, their objectives of the Master’s studies, their views on their creative process and on contemporary art and culture. The applicant’s motivation and commitment to artistic practice, the professional level of their artworks, their professional skills and knowledge, and their understanding of the field will be assessed. Equally important are the applicant’s ability to work both as an individual artist and as part of the group, their communication skills, and the consistency of the aims of the studies and artistic work with the objectives of EKA’s learning environment, curriculum and teaching methods. More information www.artun.ee/en/curricula/contemporary-art/admission/ |
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Overview
MACA is a two-year international program for emerging contemporary artists of different backgrounds intended to guide them during the development of their artistic position. The main focus is on the individual studio practice, which is supported by collaborative moments in the curriculum as well as masterclasses and courses introducing a range of artistic methods and platforms for research and critical reflection. In addition to intensive work in the studios, exhibiting in Estonia and abroad, and working in close collaboration with peers and tutors, students are encouraged to make use of the different facilities at EKA: professional photography and sound studios, workshops for wood- and metalworking, 3D modelling, textile, glass, ceramics, printmaking and many more.
The MACA program is meant for artists and practitioners who already have an active career and – while diving deeper into their fields of interest – wish to engage in collaboration, critical exchange and local context. Tallinn has a vibrant contemporary art scene with a number of art institutions and artist-run initiatives, including Vent Space that the students co-run with peers from EKA’s other programs and Uus Rada, an artist-run space initiated by the MACA students at the Raja street studio building. These spaces offer an opportunity to connect with the local art scene, providing an audience and supporting collaboration between colleagues and disciplines.
What does the MACA program offer?
– Opportunity to assemble your curriculum within a diverse programme that offers theoretical tools and practical training.
– Individual tutoring for contemporary artists by contemporary artists.
– Access to professional studios of sound art, lens-based art, installation and sculpture and graphic art.
– Collaboration with local and international artists, curators, theorists.
– A programme of off-site events, study trips, exhibitions, and collaboration with different art institutions.
– Student exchange (KUNO, DAMA, ERASMUS)
– A critical discursive environment for discussions about making, displaying and thinking about contemporary art and contemporary society.
Do not hesitate to apply for the Master of Contemporary Art programme if:
– you value the development of your individual artistic practice.
– the processes in society matter to you and you are passionate about your surroundings.
– you like to think, imagine, create and dream.
– you are motivated and ambitious, dedicated and enthusiastic, have creative confidence and critical thinking.
Programme structure
Learning outcomes
The student who has completed the curriculum:
– is able to work as a professional artist;
– has acquired the skills and knowledge to analyse, write criticism of and teach contemporary art;
– has acquired the academic degree to continue their studies in the fine arts on PhD level;
– can set goals and problems in his creative work demonstrating the conceptual and technical competence corresponding to the goals;
– can initiate and implement creative projects conducted on the basis of in-depth research methods;
– navigates well in the theoretical texts of the specialty and has a good overview of cultural history that they can relate to the specific knowledge of the specialty;
– can critically evaluate and express the processes taking place in art and society;
– can critically evaluate and articulate their own artistic work and present it in public.
Structure
The study programme consists of General studies (12 ECTS), Art Practice (45 ECTS), Contextual studies (14 ECTS), Electives (12 ECTS), Optional subjects (6 ECTS) and Master’s thesis (31 ECTS, incl. Master’s seminar 1 ECTS).