The Higher School of Applied Arts (UMPRUM), whose building is located in the historical center of Prague, is a Czech public university. Although it is considered one of the smallest higher education institutions in the country, it nevertheless occupies an important place in the Czech education system.

Founding history

The educational institution, founded by Joseph Franz in 1885, became the first state art school in the country. After training, which lasted from 3 to 5 years, graduates could obtain the profession of sculptor and architect.

The first teaching staff included representatives of the Czech cultural elite, including: artists Frantisek Jeniska, Jakub Schikaneder, Gustav Šmoranz, sculptor Josef Myslbek, architect Friedrich Oman and others. Teachers helped students master skills in painting and graphics, as well as the necessary knowledge of working with wood, fabrics and metals.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the educational institution became even more popular. At that time, future famous masters of Art Nouveau studied here: artists Vaclav Spala, František Kisela, Josef Capek, architect Josef Gočar.

UMPRUM building

The historical building, located next to the embankment, not far from, was built in 1882-1885. The project, whose architects were František Šmoranze and Jan Mahitka, was created following the example of the Paris and Vienna art academies. At first, the educational institution used only the right wing of the building; the rest of it was occupied by the Academy of Fine Arts.

At the end of the 90s of the last century, a project for a new UMPRUM building was prepared. The architectural studio of Josef Pleskot has developed a project according to which the structure will be built on a vacant lot left after the demolition of a large factory on the northern outskirts of Prague.

Educational activities

Of all applicants, only 6-7% of the most talented young people become students of the Higher School. Currently, it offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral studies. The educational institution has 23 studios, where students learn practical skills and theory of applied arts in six creative areas. Every year, UMPRUM graduates architects, artists, sculptors, designers, animators, illustrators, photographers and art critics. Since 2011, the Higher School has been headed by the architect Jindřich Smetana.

The educational institution regularly confirms its high level by participating in international projects, publishing art publications and holding regular exhibitions. Among UMPRUM graduates there are many personalities who are famous not only in the Czech Republic, but also have won worldwide fame.

Briefly about the history.

From the very beginning of its activity, this educational institution was called the School of Applied Arts; it was founded by Joseph Franz at the end of the 19th century, at the same time its first charter was adopted. At the time of its opening, it was the only educational institution that taught academic disciplines related to art. At that time it was subordinate to the Ministry of Culture and Education, and was divided into several schools. There was a general three-year school here, as well as schools where graduates continued their studies. Their training lasted from three to five years and included several specialties. Thus, those who wished could obtain the profession of an architect or sculptor; the necessary knowledge on working with metals, wood and textiles was also given here, and it was possible to master valuable skills in the field of painting, drawing and graphics.

In 1896, 11 years after the formation of the school, the administration of the educational institution changed, which led to the transfer of part of the teaching staff and a narrowing of training. But thanks to the rapid development of art in the Czech Republic, at the beginning of the 20th century it began to gain popularity again, develop the level of teaching and accept a much larger number of students, which included such talented people as Josef Gočar, Vaclav Spala, Jaroslav Ressled, Josev Capek and many others.

Nowadays.

This educational institution occupies a special place in the Czech education system. Students here receive a good theoretical basis and excellent practical skills, which help them work successfully in creative studios. This university does not stop in its development and annually attracts both Czech and foreign applicants. Over many years of improving their education system, education within these walls has been divided into several principles: local students are required to understand technical disciplines, know the theory and philosophy of art, and also be able to apply their artistic creativity in the studio. Those. Education here is given on the basis of comprehensive teaching methods, which gives all students the opportunity to gain essential knowledge in the fields of design, liberal and applied arts, as well as architecture.

Training here takes place primarily in ateliers, where students learn the basics of artistic and craft work. All the theory and skills acquired are simply necessary for the further development of young specialists; for this reason, related subjects are also taught here, which also include art theory and aesthetics. Personal development of young artists is one of the most important principles of teaching. Students must develop their conceptual thinking, not be afraid to experiment and conduct a clear analysis of any given problem.

Faculties.

It does not have the largest list of faculties and departments, this is mainly due to the previously mentioned comprehensive training, which provides an opportunity for the comprehensive development of young talents.

Applicants here can enroll in both undergraduate and graduate studies. The first includes a study period of 4 years and gives the opportunity to choose one of three areas: design, artistic creativity, as well as graphics and visual communications.

The master's program also has a number of areas. You can become a student here right after school by enrolling in the specialty “Architecture” for a period of six years. There is also the opportunity to continue studying after a bachelor's degree. Then it will be possible to obtain the specialty of an architect after 3 years, a designer - after 2, and it will also be possible to learn graphics and visual communication in a two-year period.

This university was founded at the end of the 19th century. His ideological inspiration was the outstanding German architect and art theorist Gottfried Semper, whose activities were based on the search for a harmonious combination of artistic and technical principles.
The main principle of education at this university is maximum practice, which is regularly carried out on the basis of a creative studio under the guidance of highly experienced professionals. However, no less importance is given to theoretical disciplines, such as theoretical and philosophical aspects of art, aesthetics, as well as technical lectures. Thanks to such features of the organization of the learning process, students receive a comprehensive artistic education, which contributes to the development of the artist’s personality and instills the ability to think conceptually.
Students are trained in two educational programs - bachelor's and master's degrees. Training is provided in more than 20 specialties. It should be noted that as part of their studies, university students are required to undergo an internship abroad or an internship in an atelier, but in a different specialty.
Specialties within the bachelor's program:
design;
glass work studio;
industrial design studio;
furniture and interior design studio;
fashion studio;
studio working with ceramics and porcelain;
metal studio k.o.v (“concept – object – meaning”);
graphics and visual communications;
costume and shoe design studio;
textile creativity studio;
photography studio;
atelier of intermedial confrontation;
illustration and graphics studio;
supermedia studio;
studio of working with fonts and typography;
graphic design and visual communication studio;
painting studio;
film and television graphics studio;
sculpture studio;
graphic design and new media studio;
artistic creativity.
The duration of training will be four years.
For those wishing to enroll in a master's program after high school, there is one specialty - “Architecture”. The duration of training in this case will be 6 years.
In addition, there are master's programs as a continuation of education after a bachelor's degree.
The Fine Arts program, which includes the following specialties:
architecture (3 years);
graphics and visual communications (2 years);
design (2 years).
The program “Theory and History of Fine Arts,” which includes the specialty “Theory and History of Art Nouveau and Contemporary Art.” The duration of training in this specialty is 2 years.
Detailed information about the admission procedure, entrance exams and their content is posted on the official website of the university.

The educational institution was founded in 1885 as the School of Applied Arts. The ideological principles of the school were built on the concepts of the art theorist and prominent German architect of the 19th century Gottfried Semper, who sought a synthesis of “artistic” and “technical”.

The Higher School of Applied Arts occupies a special place in the educational system of the Czech Republic. The basis of the educational process is work in creative studios under the supervision of experienced craftsmen. At the same time, the study of theory is also of great importance.

• UMPRUM is a prestigious modern art school, interesting not only to the Czech people, but also foreign students.
• The training concept is based on three principles: theory and philosophy of art, technical disciplines and artistic creativity in the studio.
• The purpose of the educational institution is to give students comprehensive art education in Architecture, Design, Visual Communication, Liberal and Applied Arts.

UMPRUM building on Palach Square

Bachelor's degree courses last 4 years. Architecture training – 6 years of continuous master's studies.

Along with the application you must submit:

nostrification, motivation letter, resume, confirmation of payment for the application, certificate of knowledge of the Czech language at the B1 level of Charles University (the B1 exam at Charles University takes place at the end of October).
Applicants to the Department of Free Art (atelier: sculpture, painting, intermedial confrontation and photography) submit a portfolio along with the application by November 30.

How the training works

• Classes are held in a studio of the relevant specialization. Students also study related disciplines and attend lectures on art history and aesthetics.
• Atelier classes combine work on artistic concepts with technical and craft work. The student must master the basic principles of creativity and learn to apply them in their work.
• Students are faced with the task of developing conceptual thinking, learning to work on the basis of experiment, and being able to analyze a problem.
• The emphasis is placed on the development of the artist’s personality. An important component of the educational process are original projects. The student must demonstrate the ability to plan for his or her creative growth.
• In parallel with practical classes, the student studies a wide range of theoretical subjects in the field of art history, aesthetics and philosophy of art. Part of the training is an internship in a studio of another specialty or an internship abroad.

Bachelor's degree

Training period- 4 years

Specialties and specializations

Design

• Industrial design studio
• Furniture and interior design studio
• Glass studio
• Studio working with ceramics and porcelain
• Metal Atelier K.O.V (“Concept – Object – Meaning”)
• Fashion Atelier
• Costume and shoe design studio
• Textile creativity atelier

• Atelier of illustrations and graphics
• Studio of working with fonts and typography
• Atelier of graphic design and visual communication
• Film and television graphics studio
• Graphic design and new media studio

Artistic creativity

• Sculpture Atelier
• Painting Atelier
• Atelier of Intermedial Confrontation
• Atelier supermedia
• Atelier photography

Photo from the Open Day at UMPRUM

Master's degree (after high school)

Training period- 6 years

Speciality – Architecture

Master's degree (continuation of studies after bachelor's degree)

Fine Arts program

Specialties

• Architecture(3 years)
• Design(2 years)
• Graphics and visual communications(2 years)

(Specialization corresponds to the above specializations within these specialties in the undergraduate program)

Program Theory and History of Fine Arts

Speciality – Theory and history of modern and contemporary art
(2 years)

UMPRUM stand at the design exhibition Designblock

Open Day

An open day usually takes place in November in the university building at náměsti Jana Palacha 80. The university also holds many exhibitions. It will be useful for applicants to track events on the university website and attend them.

Entrance exams

Exams are held in 2 rounds.

For applicants to the Department of Architecture, Design, Applied Arts and Graphics, the first round takes place in person in early February. Applicants submit a portfolio and are given a creative assignment for half a day. The commission evaluates applicants at the “pass” or “fail” level. If the applicant receives a “pass” grade for both the portfolio and the assignment, he passes to the 2nd round.

For applicants to the Department of Free Arts, the first round takes place remotely in mid-December. The portfolio is assessed at the “pass” – “fail” level.

The second round takes place in person at the beginning of February. This is a test on the history of art and general knowledge in the field of culture. It is recommended to prepare according to the book “History of Art” by Ernst Gombrich.

Portfolio requirements:

An applicant entering the specialty “Graphics and Visual Communications” at UMPRUM must provide 15 of his works (this could be a poster, the development of a unified visual style, a book project, photographs, illustrations, comics, etc.). Digital and interactive media can also be provided in any format. There is no need to include figure drawings, still lifes, etc. in your portfolio.

The Higher School of Applied Arts, also known as UMPRUM, is one of the smallest public universities in the Czech Republic. At the same time, the institution is very important for the country’s educational system. The building occupied by UMPRUM is located in a medieval Prague district.

History of the university

This educational institution was opened in 1885 by Joseph Franz, and it was the first art public school in the territory of what is now the Czech Republic. The study lasted from three to five years, after which the graduate became an architect or sculptor.
Immediately after the opening, the institution was taught by the sculptor J. Myslbek, painters J. Schikaneder, F. Jeniska, G. Šmoranc, architect F. Oman and other representatives of the then cultural elite of the Czech Republic. Teachers shared with students their knowledge of working with metal, textiles and wood, and also taught graphics and painting.
At the beginning of the last century, the school's popularity grew. At that time, J. Gočar, F. Kisela, V. Spala, J. Capek studied there - future architects and artists who determined the Czech direction of Art Nouveau style.

School building

The historical building was erected during 1882–1885 near the Old Town Square and one of the Vltava embankments. The architectural design of the building was developed by J. Makhitka and F. Schmoranze, and the buildings of the art academies of Venice and Paris served as an example for them. Initially, the institution was located only in the right wing - the other premises were occupied by the Academy of Fine Arts.
At the end of the nineties of the last century, the studio of architect J. Pleskot created a project for a new school building. According to the plans, the new house for UMPRUM will be built on the northern outskirts of Prague - on a vacant lot that was created as a result of the demolition of a large factory building.

UMPRUM's work

Only about seven percent of applicants qualify to attend the school. The institution offers students doctoral, master's and bachelor's degrees. UMPRUM has 23 studios where students are taught the theory and practice of applied arts. Training is divided into six main areas. Every year, high-quality art historians, painters, architects, photographers, designers, illustrators, sculptors, and animators graduate from the school. In 2011, the architect Jindriž Smetana became the head of the university.

The school constantly participates in international projects, organizes exhibitions, and publishes thematic publications. Among her former students are people who are famous in their field of activity not only in their home country, but also in other countries.

How to get there

The closest metro station to the Higher School of Applied Arts is Staroměstská. This is also the name of the stops where you can get there by buses Nos. 194 and 197, as well as daytime trams Nos. 2,17, 18 and night trams No. 93.