The Ceramic Symposium Design & Wood-Firing III,  3 ECTS
Nordplus Higher Education Intensive Course
13/06/2026–21/06/2026 in Tallinn

The course is organised by the Ceramics Department of the Estonian Academy of Arts.

Grant information:

Schedule

Enrolment period: 06/05–18/05/2026

Application deadline: 18/05/2026. Results will be announced on 20/05/2026.

There will be one online meeting before the intensive week. Selected students will receive detailed information about the date.

Study places available: max 6 students from CIRRUS schools outside Estonian Academy of Arts, Art Academy of Latvia and Vilnius Academy of Arts, who will participate anyway.

The course is funded by Cirrus (Nordplus). Students will receive a 580€ travel and accommodation grant (910€ for Iceland). Other expenses are not covered by the organisers. The symposium will mostly take place at the Estonian Academy of Arts in Tallinn, located near the city center. Organizers do not provide accommodations; please make sure to book your stay in advance. The credits from this course should be included in your study plan.

How to apply: 

Students who wish to participate are asked to attach their motivation letter and a link to their short portfolio or website to this form:
https://forms.gle/wrfUmyW3TvbXsgrL9

Course leaders and contact person: Kaja Altvee, Karin Kalman and Kersti Laanmaa.

Kersti Laanmaa kersti.laanmaa@artun.ee is the contact person for this application.

Course description and tasks: 

The symposium will follow an intensive and structured program, including lectures, demonstrations, hands-on practical work, collaborative kiln loading and firing, visits to exhibitions, and the public presentation of the completed works in a concluding pop-up exhibition.

Program details are here: Design&Wood-Firing_III.pdf

Participants are required to familiarize themselves with the design ceramics heritage of their own country prior to the symposium and to prepare a short presentation for the other participants. 

Drawing inspiration from, or critically responding to, existing ceramic traditions, participants are asked to design one original ceramic design object, which will be made from clay in Tallinn and fired in the wood-fired kiln. 

While the design process will be undertaken independently prior to the symposium, professional feedback and guidance will be provided throughout the on-site working period.

Expected results: Participants will gain knowledge of Nordic and Baltic ceramic design and experience working and presenting in English. They will design and produce ceramic objects suitable for wood firing and apply appropriate glazes. For many participants, this may be their first opportunity to collaboratively load and fire a kiln—an experience that fosters cooperation and a sense of shared responsibility.

The finished works will be presented in a pop-up exhibition, where participants will introduce their work, exchange feedback, and further develop their analytical and reflective skills.