Here you can find my LMA exchange semester review:
The Latvian Academy of Arts is located in a beautiful architectural building and has a long history and tradition.
My experience studying there for a semester in the Scenography department's master's program was multifaceted and, I believe, ultimately beneficial.
Strengths:
1. A strong scenography school specializing in theater and opera, adhering to traditions. It was especially useful for me to be in such an environment to expand my knowledge in scenography.
2. Some of the teachers (for example, Monika Pormale) are not only active artists today, but also possess the skills of an individual approach to students, the ability to listen and provide guidance. This is an excellent example to follow in understanding what a modern teacher in an art academy should be like.
3. Student life and the local community of artists are integrated. Professors and students already work on joint projects during their studies. A large number of student passes for performances, productions, and performances are available to gain experience and discuss the current realities of the stage.
Areas for improvement:
1. The catalog of courses is unknown to exchange students before the start of their studies.
2. In almost all specialization courses, teaching is in Latvian (with consultations in English). It is impossible to participate in discussions and group formats, and it is difficult to be in the context of what other students are doing.
3. Weak English language skills among the department's teachers. Only a few teachers in the department had an academic level of English.
4. A demotivating and devaluing environment during student work reviews. A lot of criticism and little direction for work development. Unprofessional way of providing feedback not only for visiting students, but also for local ones.
In the end, this semester enriched not only my toolkit as an artist, but also expanded my understanding of what is happening on the stage in the Baltic region. He also developed a vision of the qualities that a professional teacher at an art academy should possess.
Vitalii Chelkis
