University of Tartu Centre for Arts is now open

Yesterday was the official opening event for the University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy Centre for Arts. The centre will draw the competence of the whole faculty into one unit and coordinate arts studies in the university.

The centre’s location in Tartu allows the students there the possibility to take part in the courses usually offered at Viljandi Culture Academy. Oftentimes students in Tartu were not able to participate because of the physical distance.

There are more than 30 different courses available for the fall semester. All students, lecturers and staff members as well as people form outside of the university can sign up for those in order to acquire new skills and develop their creativity. One of the courses offered is Estonian Traditional Dance in cooperation with Tartu H. Eller Music College. The course will feature live music by the traditional music students studying at the college and the course is taught by Viljandi Culture Academy alumnae Eeva Talsi and Kadri Lepasson.

The position of professor of liberal arts, to which every year a prominent creative Estonian person will be invited, will also belong into the centre for arts. In the academic year 2017/2018, the renowned photographer Peeter Laurits will assume the position of professor of liberal arts. In the autumn semester everyone interested is welcome to listen to his lecture series “WILD AESTHETICS or how to explain a forest to digital hares”.

To be able to better introduce the creative work of the UT teaching staff, students and alumni of the field of arts, the centre has also opened a small gallery shop in the Old Anatomical Theatre.