The Faculty of Fine Arts is once again awarding scholarships to outstanding MA students. These include the “Study and Shine!” scholarships and – funded by the Estonian American Fund – the Helju Rossmann-Schneider scholarships.
In November 2025, the Faculty of Fine Arts at the Estonian Academy of Arts opened applications for two scholarships, which will be awarded to a total of seven students.
The “Study and Shine!” scholarship, aimed at all MA students, is 1000 Euros, and the Helju Rossmann-Schneider scholarship, aimed at MA students graduating this spring, is 850 Euros.
The goal of the “Study and Shine!” scholarship is to recognize and support the MA students for their artistic engagement and academic dedication. The scholarship was created in December 2023 at the proposal of Kirke Kangro, dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts. The Helju Rossmann-Schneider scholarship aims to support the studies of MA graduates during the period of completing their MA thesis project. The scholarship is provided by the Estonian American Fund.
A total of 43 applications were submitted for the two scholarships. 7 scholarships were awarded: four to the Contemporary Art curriculum, two to Animation, and two to Scenography.
The committee, composed of the heads of the Fine Arts study programs and committee members, graduated the students on November 12th.
The 2025/2026 Faculty of Fine Arts “Study and Shine!” and Helju Rossmann-Schneider scholarships were awarded to the following students:
- Scenography
Helju Rossmann-Schneider scholarship – Liisamari Viik
Liisamari Viik’s master’s thesis addresses socially sensitive issues from an original perspective. The topic and the choice of tools used to address it are convincing.
- Animation
“Study and Shine!” scholarship – Anna Ermolinskaya
Anna is a strong and dedicated student in the Animation MA programme. Her final film is highly demanding, both conceptually and technically. She is working in stop motion, which requires an exceptional amount of precision, physical craft, patience and time investment. Her project also has a poetic and experimental nature, which makes the entire artistic process even more resource intensive. Throughout her studies, Anna has shown a very strong work ethic, responsibility and commitment to her artistic development. She has demonstrated that she is able to plan, research and execute complex tasks with focus and professionalism. The stop-motion documentary Hide/Seek is used as a case study. It explores how metaphor, spatial transformation and puppet embodiment can be used to transform autobiographical experience into the visual language of animation.
Helju Rossmann-Schneider scholarship – Vilmos Peter
MA Animation student Vilmos Peter research focuses on cinematic strategies that create active personal engagement through ambiguity, sensory shifts and images that demand intuitive participation rather than passive consumption. Separation Training – Part I is a short stop-motion animation that guides the viewer from an abstract sense of unity towards the recognition of an individual being. The film begins with undifferentiated forms and slowly moves toward clearer imagery until we arrive at a concrete scene. Vilmos Peter demonstrated consistent engagement and perseverance in developing this very challenging project.
- Contemporary Art
“Study and Shine!” scholarship – Giulio Cusinato
We support Giulio Cusinato’s application as it clearly demonstrated a strong commitment to artistic and academic development, as well as a financial need that limits his ability to fully focus on his studies. We believe that Giulio’s expressed dedication will enable him to realize his potential more fully and to shine in their artistic practice.
“Study and Shine!” scholarship – Elo Vahtrik
The committee decided to support Elo Vahtrik’s application as their previous work demonstrates outstanding commitment to both artistic and academic development. She is an active participant in the Estonian art scene, and their clearly articulated motivation and determination to advance their creative practice convinced the committee that the scholarship will help to realize their artistic potential even more fully and shine bright!
Helju Rossmann-Schneider scholarship – Kroplya
The committee decided to support Kroplya’s application as her MA project presents a profoundly relevant and courageous exploration of memory, identity, and political repression. Her research demonstrates both artistic depth and ethical sensitivity, addressing complex personal and collective experiences with intellectual precision and emotional integrity. The committee recognized that this scholarship would provide vital support enabling her to complete her important work safely and meaningfully.
Helju Rossmann-Schneider scholarship – Lisette Lepik
The committee decided to support Lisette Lepik’s application as her master’s project demonstrates mature artistic thinking and a strong capacity for in-depth exploration. Lepik’s creative and written research addresses important themes of gender roles and intergenerational change.