From 1–5 June, the Vilnius Academy of Arts (VDA) welcomed five Ukrainian students from its partner institution, the Mykhailo Boichuk Kyiv State Academy of Decorative Applied Arts and Design, to the Vilnius Faculty. The visit reflects VDA’s ongoing commitment to supporting Ukrainian students and fostering the development of the UAx Platform through collaboration with higher arts education institutions in Ukraine.
During their stay, the students were introduced to the history, structure, and academic life of VDA. They participated in a campus tour featuring final projects from the Graduation Show and met with lecturers and staff from various study departments. The programme also included an informal gathering with VDA’s full-time Ukrainian students, providing an opportunity to build new friendships and strengthen a sense of community.
A particularly meaningful aspect of the visit was the opportunity for the students to reconnect with their mentors at VDA, including Vice-Rector for Studies Prof. Ričardas Bartkevičius, Dr. Vygintas Orlovas, Dr. sen. lecturer Aistė Kisarauskaitė, and the Dean of the Klaipėda Faculty, Assoc. Prof. Martynas Lapas. Through meetings and discussions, the mentors shared their expertise, professional experiences, and creative insights with the visiting students.
The visiting students represented a diverse range of bachelor's study fields, including Multimedia Arts, Monumental Arts, Graphic Design, and Product Design, creating valuable opportunities for artistic and intercultural exchange.
Beyond the Academy, the students explored Vilnius’s vibrant cultural scene through visits to galleries and exhibitions and by participating in the city’s annual Culture Night events.
This visit highlights the strong partnership between the two institutions and VDA’s continued dedication to supporting the Ukrainian academic and artistic community. In times of uncertainty, initiatives such as these demonstrate the importance of solidarity, collaboration, and the meaningful connections that art can create across borders.
The Ukrainian students received Erasmus+ grants to support their participation in this short-term mobility visit at VDA.
