An EKA-initiated support programme will open new learning opportunities for Ukrainian art students, Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts Taaniel Raudsepp has been elected to the KUNO Steering Group, and the next CIRRUS annual meeting will take place in Tallinn. Meetings held in Helsinki and Lahti during the second week of October demonstrated EKA’s growing role in Nordic-Baltic cooperation in higher art and design education.
“EKA’s internationalisation strategy centres on meaningful cooperation and our ability to initiate and shape it. The joint work of our faculties and International Office creates opportunities for art education across the region, including for our Ukrainian colleagues and students,” says EKA Rector Hilkka Hiiop.
At the KUNO annual meeting in Helsinki, members endorsed EKA’s proposal to enable students from Ukrainian partner institutions to participate in the network’s express courses. The initiative grew out of the EKA delegation’s September visit to the Lviv National Academy of Arts, and the proposal was developed under the initiative of Sandra Mell, Head of the International Office. Professor Kirke Kangro made a compelling case for the initiative at the meeting. Financed from KUNO’s own funds, the pilot programme will offer young Ukrainian artists international learning experiences and opportunities to build professional connections.
Taaniel Raudsepp’s election to the Steering Group further strengthens EKA’s contribution to shaping KUNO’s future. Having taken up his position as dean this autumn, Raudsepp secured the support of partner institutions in an election with five candidates for two seats. KUNO Coordinator Kati Saarits played an important role in preparing the meeting and bringing EKA’s proposals to the network. She has also led work to develop the network’s visual identity and improve its coordination processes.
The CIRRUS annual meeting, “Expanding the Community of Reformers”, took place on 7–9 October at LAB Institute of Design and Fine Arts in Lahti, Finland. It focused on the future of design education, regenerative design, artificial intelligence and the student learning experience. EKA researcher and Chair of the CIRRUS Steering Group Ruth-Helene Melioranski, together with CIRRUS board consisting of leaders of Nordic design universities’ deans and educators, contributed to discussions on the network’s strategy and future areas of cooperation.
One outcome of this cooperation is the intensive course “Multi-Modal Mobility”, led by Professor Björn Koop and LAB lecturer Olli Seppälä, taking place in Lahti on 26–31 October. The course explores sustainable and accessible mobility solutions for the future, with eight places reserved for EKA students. Ott Kagovere, Head of the Department of Graphic Design, contributes to cooperation within the CIRRUS VISCOM working group. At the initiative of the International Office, preparations are also underway with the Department of Graphic Design for colleagues from Lviv to attend the VISCOM meeting in Riga at the end of October. EKA’s International Relations Coordinator Janne Kukk plays an important role in coordinating the CIRRUS network’s activities.
The next CIRRUS annual meeting will take place at EKA on 3–5 November 2027, coinciding with the academy’s 113th anniversary. A team led by Dean of the Faculty of Design Ionel Lehari, working closely with the International Office, is preparing the event.
Playfulness, a willingness to experiment, kindness and togetherness are emerging as themes for the Tallinn meeting: how can art and design education sustain the joy of creating while encouraging people to learn, work and support one another.