The Metal Design Department of the Art Academy of Latvia in collaboration with the Latvian Jewellery Art Association announces applications for the international summer school “IN SITU”* with the theme “Out of the Box / Jewellery Box”, dedicated to current trends in contemporary jewellery art and design, conceptual thinking, and creative practice shaped by a specific site – the Kuldīga Needle Factory.
The Art Academy of Latvia is a significant platform for the development of contemporary jewellery in the Baltic region, where rich craft traditions, cultural heritage, and a contemporary creative environment form a unique foundation for experimental and conceptual jewellery practices. The IN SITU summer school offers international students the opportunity to experience this environment while working closely with experienced tutors and guest lecturers.
The summer school will take place in Kuldīga, at the historic Needle Factory – a site with a strong cultural and historical identity that will become an integral part of the creative process. Within the programme, participants will explore the relationship between jewellery as an art object and space, context, and presentation, with particular attention to the jewellery box as an exhibition, storage, or conceptual object.
By combining theoretical lectures, discussions, and intensive practical workshops, the summer school offers participants the opportunity to:
- develop an individual artistic project – a jewellery box, exhibition system, or conceptual object;
- experiment with materials, forms, and spatial thinking;
- explore Latvian jewellery traditions and craft techniques and integrate them into contemporary practice;
- participate in a final pop-up exhibition, presenting works in a site-specific format.
The summer school is intended for BA and MA students in jewellery art, metal design, jewellery design, and related visual arts and design fields, as well as for young professionals seeking to expand their knowledge, international experience, and professional network.
Upon completion of the IN SITU summer school, participants will receive 3 ECTS, certifying the knowledge, skills, and creative work acquired in an international professional context.
Who can apply for a scholarship?
Students and academic staff from the following countries are eligible to apply for 10 available scholarships:
Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium (Wallonia–Brussels Federation), Bulgaria, Czech Republic, South Korea, Arab Republic of Egypt, France, Georgia, Croatia, Estonia, Indonesia, Iceland, Italy, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Cyprus, Kyrgyzstan, People’s Republic of China, Lithuania, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Peru, Poland, Slovakia, Finland, United States of America, Spain, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Hungary, Uzbekistan, Germany, Vietnam.
Evaluation
Candidates are selected through a competitive process based on the content of their application and motivation. The final decision on scholarship awards is made by the Evaluation Committee of the State Education Development Agency.
The scholarship covers:
- accommodation (student hostel);
- meals (2 times per day);
- lectures, seminars, and study trips;
- cultural activities included in the programme.
The scholarship does not cover:
-
travel, visa, or insurance costs.
Participants are responsible for covering travel expenses from their country of origin to Latvia (Riga, Art Academy of Latvia).
Application deadline:
1 February – 1 April 2026
Applicants must submit:
- CV;
- letter of motivation;
- copy of passport or ID card;
- proof of student status;
- proof of English language proficiency (if available).
All applicants will be informed of the scholarship competition results by e-mail within 2–4 weeks after the application deadline.
Contact information:
Head of the Metal Design Department
doc. Rasma Pušpure
Tel.: (+371) 261 89 179
E-mail: rasma.puspure@lma.lv; metals@lma.lv
The project is co-financed by the State Education Development Agency