CIRRUS is a Nordic-Baltic network of Art and Design higher education. There are 22 excellent art and design schools from the Nordics and the Baltics in the circle of this cooperation. The central activities of the partner institutions are art and design, including innovative activities, technical development and artistic practices.

CIRRUS Product Design Teachers Meeting will take place on 15–17 April 2026 in Tartu, Estonia

The CIRRUS Product Design Teachers Meeting will take place on 15–17 April 2026 in Tartu, Estonia, hosted by Pallas University of Applied Sciences.

The aim of the meeting is to bring together teachers, researchers, and programme leaders engaged in product design education to share teaching approaches, discuss emerging challenges, and explore opportunities for collaboration within the Nordic–Baltic region.

Preliminary Schedule

April 15

Arrival
16:00–18:00 Cultural programme: Letterpress workshop at TYPA (optional)
19:00 Dinner at Metsik Pizza*
21:00 Evening hangout at Barlova*

* at own expense

April 16

09:00–09:30 Registration
09:30–10:00 Welcome & keynote
10:00–10:45 Tour de Schools
– What is the main focus of product design in your school?
– What is a key challenge you have been dealing with recently?

10:45–11:15 Coffee break
11:15–12:00 Tour de Schools (continued)
12:00–13:00 Lunch
13:00–14:30 Workshop sessions:
• Best teaching methods: success stories and failures
• Integrating sustainability into product design education

14:30–14:50 Coffee break
14:50–15:20 Workshop summaries
15:20–15:35 Coffee break / light meal
15:35–16:45 Guided tours of the Arts Campus (optional)
18:00 CIRRUS dinner at Kolm Tilli

April 17

09:00–09:30 Gathering
09:30–11:00 Sharing ideas & closing remarks
11:00–12:30 Light meal / free time
12:30–14:00 Cultural programme: visit to the Estonian National Museum (optional)
Departure

Please note that the programme may be subject to minor changes or additions.
Additional questions to: Kadi Kivimäe kadi.kivimae@pallasart.ee

Accommodation

Participants are responsible for arranging and covering their own accommodation. Below are some recommended options in Tartu. Special rates and discount codes are available where indicated.

  1. Hotel Tartu

Address: Soola 3, Tartu
Website: http://www.tartuhotell.ee

Room options:

Standard Twin

Single use: EUR 59.00 / room / night

Double use: EUR 67.00 / room / night

Superior Twin

Single use: EUR 69.00 / room / night

Double use: EUR 82.00 / room / night

The price includes buffet breakfast, free parking in front of and behind the hotel (subject to availability), wireless internet in the room, morning sauna access at the hotel’s sauna centre, and use of the gym. Swimwear is required for using the sauna facilities.

Discount code: CIRRUS

  1. Hektor Design Hostel

Address: Riia Street 26, Tartu
Website: https://www.hektorstay.com

Room rates are dynamic and depend on availability. A 35% discount off public rates is available when booking through the hostel’s website using the discount code below.

Hektor Design Hostel is automated, and the reception is contactless.

Discount code: CIRRUS
Booking link

  1. Villa Margaretha

Address: Tähe 11, Tartu
Website: http://www.margaretha.ee

Single room: EUR 60 / night

Double room: EUR 70 / night

Prices include breakfast.

Discount code: PALLAS

Practical information

  • Participation fee: 260 EUR

Payment options:
• Via the Fienta ticketing system:
https://fienta.com/cirrus-network-product-design-teachers-meeting-2026

 

Grant: You are eligible for CIRRUS teacher mobility grant. Fill in and ask your CIRRUS coordinator to send to sandra.mell@artun.ee. Then we will pay this out to your institutions’ account for reimbursements of the travel costs.
Photo: Pallas Gallery,