The Set and Costume Design Department is run as a synthesising path to self-expression, connecting creation in space, time and situation, with an emphasis on conceptual thinking and creation, combining contemporary artistic and technological means. The synthesis pursues the visual expression of thematically bound, literary dramatic, and free thought. The education is structured to include procedures aimed at:
- acquiring general knowledge in the field of material culture, philosophy, aesthetics, symbolism, psychology, performance and theatre as a core subject;
- mastering classical means of artistic expression: drawing, painting, graphics, sculpture, construction;
- commanding the media of photography, video and PC work in graphics and 3D programmes;
- understanding the issues of lighting design and its application to art projects;
- acquiring the ability to analyse and interpret a given topic using the method of association series and free thought processes;
- obtaining the necessary technological foundations of stage, costume, exhibition and artistic creation, lighting and sound design and multimedia;
- developing creativity, responsibility, empathy and teamwork;
- acquiring the ability of theoretical reflection and research.
The synthesis of these practices and the artistic focus of internal and external teachers has resulted in a department oriented not only toward theatre scenography and costume but also towards film, documentary, fashion and design creation. The nature of studies in the set and costume design department and their structure and development is determined by the continuous selection of professional artists teaching core courses. It simultaneously deals with performance, installation, printmaking, exhibition and new media, and environmental ethics.
The students of the set and costume design department participate in three types of artistic projects:
- Department projects – regular classes, workshops, creative en plein air, Art project, exhibitions, Salon of scenography, Prague Quadrennial;
- Interfaculty co-operation projects with the Faculty of Music – 0classroom projects, concerts, performances at Studio Marta and Theatre on Orlí Street;
- Projects beyond the school – seminars and internships, participation in festivals and exhibitions at home and abroad.
The set and costume design department strives to connect certain teaching programmes with other art schools in the Czech Republic and abroad (Theatre Faculty of the Academy of Performing Art in Prague – PQ, Erasmus; Faculty of Fine Art BUT – diversification of certain courses and their teachers; Academy of Fine Arts in Prague, Faculty of Architecture – short-term student internships, PQ 1991-2019; BUT – co-operation with graduates, technical drawing, teaching PC programmes, new technologies in design. International co-operation with art schools (Great Britain – London, Cardiff; Scotland – Glasgow, Edinburgh; Netherlands – Amsterdam, Utrecht; Austria – Graz; Finland – Helsinki; Spain – Madrid, Vigo, Seville; France – Lyon…)
Admission procedure
The admission procedure for bachelor’s degree studies of Set and Costume Design at the Theatre Faculty JAMU is two-round:
Deadline for applications: 30 November
Deadline for submission of assignments: 15 January
The first round of the admission procedure: first half of February
The second round of the admission procedure: first half of April
Annexes to the application form:
- structured CV (not to be written in the application form – it must be attached separately);
- proof of payment of the administrative fee (see Guidelines for the supplementary selection procedure).
On the basis of the submitted application, the candidate is asked to send in the assignments, which are changed annually. After submitting his or her work, the applicant is invited to the first round of the in-person entrance examination, which focuses on the ability of spatial expression, portrait, interpretation of a dramatic text, space and costume, perspective, and a test of general knowledge and homework.
In the 2nd round of the admission procedure, the candidate creates spatial compositions, models, drawings, designs and costume studies based on the reading of the assigned texts. The examination also includes a motivational interview, defence of individual assignments and a portfolio of homework.
The admission procedure for master’s degree studies in Set and Costume Design at the Theatre Faculty JAMU is one-round:
Deadline for submission of applications and portfolio: 31 March
Admission procedure: second half of June
The admission procedure takes the form of an interview, which includes a discussion of the submitted portfolio of work, the submitted themes of the graduation performance and the thesis, and the motivation for the master’s degree studies in Set and Costume Design. The examination is supplemented by a cultural awareness test.
Annexes to the application form:
- portfolio of own creative works in the field of theatre and visual arts in printed or electronic form according to the nature of the works;
- reflection on the expected theoretical work (= thesis) and practical graduate work (= graduate artistic performance);
- structured CV (not to be written in the application form – it must be attached separately);
- a xerographic copy of the school-leaving examination certificate;
- a xerographic copy of the academic degree diploma;
- proof of payment of the administrative fee (see Guidelines for the supplementary selection procedure).
A physician’s certificate of medical fitness is also required.