The Estonian Academy of Arts will participate in the annual CIRRUS network meeting on 7–9 October 2026, hosted by the LAB University of Applied Sciences’ Institute of Design and Fine Arts in Lahti, Finland. Under the theme “Expanding the Community of Reformers”, the meeting brings together colleagues from Nordic and Baltic art and design schools to explore the future of education, research and creative practice.
EKA is actively involved in preparing the meeting through CIRRUS Chair Ruth-Helene Melioranski and network coordinator Sandra Mell. Together with the CIRRUS board, they are working with LAB colleagues, including Dean Tytti-Lotta Ojala and Saara-Maria Kauppi, on the gathering and discussions about the network’s future.
The programme addresses regenerative design, future skills and the impact of artificial intelligence on the creative field. Alongside these discussions, the CIRRUS board will gather members’ ideas to inform the network’s developing strategy. Sandra Mell and EKA colleague Janne Kukk will also present the results of the 2026 CIRRUS/Nordplus funding round and introduce updates to the grant application process.
The collaboration will continue in Tallinn next year: EKA will host the CIRRUS network meeting on 3–5 November 2027, coinciding with the academy’s 113th anniversary.
CIRRUS connects 22 Nordic and Baltic higher education institutions in art and design, supporting student and staff mobility, joint courses and academic cooperation.
More: https://www.cirrusnetwork.info/