Kristiania University College to Host ELIA Academy in 2025

This 3-day incubator event is expected to attract approx. 200 participants from art colleges and universities worldwide.

Global gathering of arts educators

European League of Institutes of the Arts (ELIA) is a leading global network of higher arts education institutions, with over 280 members in 52 countries, representing more than 350,000 students across all arts disciplines. The ELIA Academy, held every two years, is one of the organisation's most important events. The Academy will take place from 18 to 20 June 2025, at Kristiania University College's premises in Urtegata and at Fjerdingen in Oslo.

– We are very pleased to host the ELIA Academy 2025. A highlight of the European Higher Arts Education calendar, this event gives us a unique opportunity to showcase our institution and contribute to the international dialogue on arts education, pedagogy, and research, says Mortensen.

A forum for exchange and networking

ELIA Academy aims to be one of the most important international forums for debate, idea exchange, and sharing of best practices in learning and teaching in higher arts education across all arts disciplines.

– The conference attracts a broad group of participants involved in learning and teaching in the arts, including supervisors, lecturers, artists, designers, and academics from all arts disciplines, Mortensen explains.

– This creates a unique arena for professional exchange and networking, he says.

The theme for the 2025 event is under development, but will focus on "life-integrated learning". This concept explores how both external and internal factors influence the learning process in the arts.

– We want to examine how we can integrate real social and cultural life experiences and collaboration with the industry into our teaching and research, says Mortensen.

Kristiania's contribution

Kristiania University College will play a central role in shaping the conference's visual identity and programme, in addition to providing facilities, technical support, and catering.

– We see this as an excellent opportunity to showcase the best Kristiania University College has to offer, both academically and creatively. Our design students and faculty will be involved in developing the conference's visual profile, which will reflect the event's theme and spirit, he says.

The work on the visual identity will include developing a logo, web banners, a social media profile, and other conference materials.

Preparations and expectations

Preparations for ELIA Academy 2025 are well underway. A steering committee has been established, and planning of the theme and programme is in development.

– We expect this seminal gathering to be an important arena for knowledge exchange and networking within arts education, says Mortensen.

– We will include technical staff and students to a greater extent than in previous ELIA Conferences. This reflects our desire to explore all aspects of arts education and production, he continues.

More information about the event, including registration details and the programme, will be announced at a later date. The visual identity and detailed programme information are expected to be ready in the fall of 2024.

– We look forward to welcoming arts educators and researchers from around the world to Oslo in 2025. This will be an event that will put Kristiania University College on the international map in art education, concludes Dean Jørn Mortensen.

For more information and updates, see also www.elia-artschools.org.