University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy

UT Viljandi Culture Academy is one of five colleges of the University of Tartu. The Academy provides applied higher education and has offered a specialized education since 1952. The school was initially founded in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, but was soon transferred to Viljandi, one of the most beautiful provincial towns in Estonia.

In 1991 (the very same year when Estonia regained its independence) the former Viljandi Culture School was reorganised into a college providing applied higher education in different areas of culture. In the course of the last decade the variety of the specialities provided by the Academy has been continuously increasing.

After reconstruction of Estonian higher education system at the beginning of new millenium, the Academy joined the University of Tartu in 2005.

UT Viljandi Culture Academy provides 1 BA (School Music) and 13 Diploma level studies in such fields as theatrical and dance arts, music, national handicraft, youth work as well library and information sciences. There are also studies on MA level: in co-operation with the University of Tartu Faculty of Education the master programme on Educational Sciences is offered. From 2009/2010 MA level studies on School Music and Traditional Music (in co-operation with Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre) will be offered as well.

University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy sees its raison d'être in sustaining and developing the values of Estonian national culture. Although Estonian culture has received influences from different directions it still has its roots deep in ancient Estonian folk traditions.

In the modern age of globalization we consider the maintenance of these traditions one of our main priorities. At the same time we do not want to restrict ourselves to the mere preservation of traditional values. We believe that Estonian culture should be open to new impulses, which enrich the traditional understanding of Estonian culture. Through this process of continuous interaction the ancient traditions gain new meaning.

Besides the theoretical knowledge, our graduates obtain practical experience in the particular fields they are studying which enables them to have a steady position for entering Estonian labour market. A priority of the curricula of the Academy is to develop the pedagogical skills of the students. We believe that in the long run this enables the transfer of cultural values acquired in the Academy from one generation to another.

The educational activities carried out by the Viljandi Culture Academy have an important regional effect because after graduation our former students move to different places all over Estonia, not just into big cities. Their educational background, acquired professional and pedagogical skills create a good basis for having the leading role in the shaping of the future of local culture.

Viljandi Culture Academy is also a unique community of the people and a special kind of learning environment. Through common projects and in some cases joint studies the students of different specialities, such as the students of librarianship and dance or youth work and national music can get a better understanding of the field of study of their fellow students. We believe that this kind of co-operation and mentally meaningful co-existence enables to create synergy within the studying community.

04/06/2009