MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE PROGRAMME IN LIVE ART AND PERFORMANCE STUDIES (LAPS)

Transcription

1 Theatre Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki Student Admissions 2015 MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE PROGRAMME IN LIVE ART AND PERFORMANCE STUDIES (LAPS) Two-year programme, 120 Credits WHAT IS LAPS? Live Art and Performance Studies (LAPS) is a two year English-language Masters Degree Programme at the Theatre Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki that focuses on Artistic Research. It is one of very few free Masters programmes in the world, that focuses on the intersection of Performance Studies and the practice of Live Art/Performance Art. A. Methodologies of Live Art /Performance Art Practice & Theory B. Methodologies of Performance Studies & Critical Writing C. Optional Studies D. Individual and Collaborative Research E. Master's Thesis Project + Artistic Thesis + Written Thesis The LAPS programme provides an interdisciplinary approach to performance Art/ Live Art and Performance Studies. The diverse fields of our lecturers, mentors and visiting artists and theorists reflect our eclectic approach: littoral and community-based practices, political and cultural activism, pleasure and pain, queer performance, urban psychogeography and geology, moving image and documentary film, alternative consciousness, nakedness, hypnosis, propaganda, performative writing, criticism, new technologies, philosophy, cultural studies and visual culture, anthropology, gender studies, body-art, and Asian studies. MENTORS & SEMINARS LAPS is constructed around a 1-to-1 mentorship model, and also includes group seminars in areas of core knowledge. Seminars are held during days or evenings for two- three weeks of each month. They include lectures, workshops, visiting artists and theorists, performances and productions, and reading-writing groups.1:1 mentoring is continuous, matching each student with a variety of mentors during the first year. This intensive process of information sharing during the first year leads during the second year to the selection of a Thesis Supervisor and the production of a two-part thesis that includes public performance(s) and a substantial text. Each student presents 1

2 her/his thesis work in a self-organised workshop or seminar to the public. The completed thesis combines research, practice, theory and reflection. We actively interface with Asian and European institutions, international conferences and festivals. In 2014, our students participated in the Cyprus International Performance Art Festival in Nicosia, and Performance Studies International #20 at the Shanghai Theatre Academy. In 2015, we are looking into collaborations with institutions, conferences and festivals in Europe, the Mid-East and Asia. We have an on-going collaboration with the Asian Art and Performance Consortium representing researchers in four Finnish universities. WHO IS IT FOR? We are looking for six exceptional individuals from a variety of cultures and continents, who are willing to undertake new research in these combined fields. LAPS has been recently re-designed as a research-based programme that is especially appropriate for mature and self-directed individuals who already have a practice and life experiences that they may wish to use or explore through live and mediated performance. For example, applicants may already have a foundation in Live Art or Performance Art who are interested in Performance Studies and want to develop their discursive research skills alongside their artistic practice. Or they may have already carried out research in another field and now want to work with the absurdist and haptic traditions of performance, performative writing, littoral art, or technological interfaces. Mid-career NGO professionals working in areas of cultural activism are encouraged to apply. The programme combines critical thinking with practice-led research, and seeks to flesh out the synergies between research and practice. The objective of the programme is to enable and empower the participants to develop new knowledge in performance and theory. Helsinki is a vibrant city with a large population of international students attending several local universities, and an increasing population of economic migrants and refugees. It is a centre for technological innovation, the arts, architecture and the humanities. Situated on the Baltic Sea, the city is surrounded by forests, islands, wetlands, fractal coastlines available for installation and performance. English is now widely spoken along with Finnish and Swedish, and several other languages. Selection takes place in two stages: General Selection into the university and Specific Selection into the LAPS programme. Once the applicant is determined to be eligible for higher education at the University of the Arts Helsinki, the application is advanced to the Admissions Committee of the Live Art & Performance Studies (LAPS) Masters Programme. A higher standard for English language literacy and other specific characteristics are assessed by the Committee for this programme. NB. The applicant should use the Application Letter with Research Plan + the Portfolio (in stage II) as the primary means to convince the LAPS Admissions Committee of the efficacy of her/his application. 2

3 General Selection Criteria A person is eligible to apply for the two-year Master s programme in LAPS if he/she has completed: a first-cycle university degree in art or another applicable field an applicable degree in art in a university of applied sciences A suitable BA-level (Bachelor of Arts) or B.F.A. (Bachelor of Fine Arts) foreign degree in art, or a Bachelor of Science (BS) which qualifies for corresponding higher education studies in the country in question or The applicant has acquired sufficient knowledge and competence based on studies, artistic activity and work experience, acknowledged by the Theatre Academy In addition to the university degree the applicants are required to have experience in artistic activity in the applicant s own field of art. If the student is selected under the last-mentioned criteria (adequate knowledge and capacity based on studies, artistic activities, and work experience, as established by the Academy), he or she must have: a minimum of 60 ECTS credits in higher education studies, the eligibility of which will be considered individually. These studies may include higher education studies in the applicant s own field of art, or studies that support this field of art. If these studies are not all higher education studies in the applicant s own field of art, the applicant should have strong experience in his/her artistic activity in his/her own field of art. Professional courses are not credited in the 60 credits. These studies must be completed by the end of the application period. For example, it is possible to take studies in the Theatre Academy Open University, which can be accredited to the student when establishing his or her eligibility; artistic activities, requiring full-time activity in an occupation in his or her field of art; work experience in a field of art. The adequacy of artistic activities and work experience will be assessed based on the applicant's application and certificates. Each applicant will be assessed individually. Contextual issues necessary for the Admissions Committee to make a fair assessment should be explained in the Application Letter. All applicants will be informed of the Committee s positive or negative decisions via . Those who are deemed eligible will then receive a written assignment. Following the assessment of this assignment, they will then be invited to audition. The selection to the Master s degree programme is conditional for those applicants who have not completed a Bachelor s degree or another applicable lower university degree at the time of the selection process. These applicants must deliver a certificate of completed Bachelor s studies or other applicable first-cycle university degree to Student Affairs by 15 July 2015 at 3:00 pm local Helsinki time (degrees completed abroad), or the conditional selection decision shall not be enforced. The conditional decision does not concern applicants who are selected based on their studies, artistic activity, and work experience. Supplementary studies to achieve the necessary level of competence may be required of a student who has been admitted to the Academy. The maximum amount of supplementary studies is 30 credits. Admitted students will be informed of any additional studies required of them in the letter of acceptance and the announcement of admission results. 3

4 Language Requirements The language of study and degree in the LAPS Programme is English. All applicants for the MA Programme in Live Art and Performance Studies will be asked to demonstrate their proficiency in English by submitting relevant certificates at the application stage, through the written assignments, and the interview. The ability to read and comprehend and apply difficult theoretical texts is essential in this programme. However, English proficiency can be demonstrated in part by the application deadline through the following international language tests or studies: Applicable language tests TOEFL (IBT = Internet-Based Test): a total score of at least 92 TOEFL (PBT = Paper-Based Test): a total score of at least 580 IELTS (International English Language Testing System, Academic Training): a total score of at least 6.5 CAE (Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English) or CPE (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English): grades A, B and C TOEFL and IELTS test results are valid for two years. (The electronic ID of the University of the Arts Helsinki is 0217.) Demonstration of proficiency in English through school education or a degree Completion of school education or a first-cycle (Bachelor s) or second-cycle (Master s) degree in English in an EU/EFTA country, the United States, Canada, Australia or New Zealand is considered an appropriate demonstration of an applicant s proficiency in English. If the applicant expects to complete the above school education or degree after the application deadline, he or she must submit a certificate of studies completed thus far, in which the language of study is indicated, to the Theatre Academy s Admissions Services by the application deadline. The education or degree must be completed by 15 July Completion of a first-cycle (Bachelor s) degree at a Finnish university or university of applied sciences (Government Decree on University Degrees 794/2004 or Government Decree on University of Applied Sciences Degrees 352/2003) that includes foreignlanguage studies in English is also considered an appropriate demonstration of the applicant s proficiency in English. Certificates or information submitted via the Internet on the applicant s language proficiency must arrive at the Theatre Academy s Admissions Services by 13 February 2015 at 4:15 pm local Helsinki time. Applicants should submit interim results of language tests by to Admissions Services to ensure that the results arrive by the deadline; receipt of the official results by post from the test organisation may take weeks. Student Selections The student selections are organised at the Theatre Academy s premises in Haapaniemenkatu 6, Helsinki. The selection process occurs in three phases. Additional assignments may be given during the selection process. The assignments will be given in English and should be answered in English. 4

5 Selection Phases I-II The application period is 7 January 27 January A decision on the applicant's eligibility will be made before sending out invitations to the entrance examination. Applicants found ineligible will be informed of that decision via by week 7. Phase I Phase II The application form, advance assignments and appendices should be submitted by 27 January 2015 at 3:00 pm local Helsinki time. A decision on the applicant's eligibility will be made before sending out intermediate assignments. All applicants will be informed of that positive or negative decision. An intermediate assignment and request for online or hardcopy portfolio of images and videos with written reflection, and analysis of texts will be posted for those eligible for the next phase, 13 February 2015 at the latest. Submission of the intermediate assignment will be by 11 March 2015 and may be done by or online. Those found eligible based on their advanced and intermediate assignments, will be invited to proceed to the auditions in Helsinki. Invitations to the Auditions will be informed by and by post by 27 March 2015 at the latest. Phase III 6 May 8 May 2015 (Auditions in Helsinki) Results 3 June 2015 Assessment Criteria Specific Assessment is primarily based on the Application Letter, Applicant s portfolio (or directions to online portfolio), Research plan, Live performance work, A demonstrated ability to understand and apply theoretical readings in English to one s own practice, Mid-career level expertise in a field to be related to LAPS. The Phase II intermediate assignments will assess the applicants abilities to reflect on theoretical questions based on literature and their original thinking and on the Portfolio of previous work. Other assessment criteria are: Thoughtfulness and passion exhibited by the Research Plan Exploratory, experimental and conceptual approach to applicant s body of work and ideas Capacity for analytical thought and evidence of reflection on one s own work Perseverance in work and writing Desire to combine Performance art /Live Art and Performance Studies Interest in research as a methodology Desire to combine theory and practice During the audition, the following will also be considered: Overall group composition and synergy Performance skills 5

6 Suitability for Live Art/Performance Art and for Masters level studies Advance Assignments and Appendices/ Phase I No further explanation or more detailed information will be available on the advance assignment. The advance assignment should be completed in English and should be printed. 1. Write an application letter which includes a Research Plan, or alternatively, a justification or problem which would form the basis of the Thesis Project, max. 5 pages. Include essential starting points, materials, questions or problems, and explain why you would like to complete this particular work and research project. This plan is intended as a basis for the development of the Master's thesis. The letter should indicate clearly why the applicant is applying to this programme and what s/he hopes to accomplish during the two years. Appendices to be submitted with the advance assignment: A print or copy of the online application form Passport photo (stapled to the right upper corner of the application form) CV A copy of a Finnish or international first-cycle (BA) degree diploma A diploma supplement (if used at the international institution of higher education in question) A report on the scope of international studies in ECTS credits and their grading on a five-point scale (if a diploma supplement is unavailable) An official transcript of those studies which the applicant wishes to be considered in the application process; the transcript must be an original or a certified copy (e.g., a transcript of the studies leading to the completed degree) A certificate of proficiency in English (for further information, see General Information for all Applicants: Language skills and the language of study) Copies of other applicable certificates: knowledge and competence acquired through studies, artistic activity and work experience Applicants should not staple application documents or their appendices together or use paper clips, but simply arrange the papers in the order of the assignments. Application documents or appendices will not be returned to the applicant. Information on the results of the first phase will be sent to the applicants by . Those who have passed the first phase will receive instructions to phase II. NB. LAPS applicants can send their advance assignments and appendices to the Theatre Academy via mail before the actual application period if they are concerned that the mailing process takes longer than the application period. However, the online application form should be filled in during the application period (7 January 27 January 2015) and without the form, the application is not complete. Please contact the Admission Services teak.hakijapalvelut@uniarts.fi for more information regarding this option. 6

7 Applying The application period is 7 January 27 January Other requested documents may be submitted prior to this period. 1. Complete the application form Please complete the electronic application form at by 27 January 2015 at 3:00 pm (local Helsinki time), or request a paper form from the Theatre Academy s Admissions Services. Any applications in paper form must be delivered to the Theatre Academy s Admissions Services by 27 January 2015 at 3:00 pm local Helsinki time. Paper forms received after the deadline cannot be processed. The electronic application form is available only during the application period 7 27 January Please note that you should print or copy the application form, and attach it with your advance assignments. Theatre Academy Admissions Services tel teak.hakijapalvelut@uniarts.fi The Theatre Academy s Admissions Services answer applicants questions on weekdays from 9 am to 3 pm. 2. Send Advance Assignments and Appendices Please submit the advance assignments, appendices and a print or copy of the online application to the Theatre Academy s Admissions Services. The deadline for the assignment is 27 January 2015 at 3:00 pm local Helsinki time. Advance assignments and appendices as well as printouts or copies of the online application can also be delivered directly to the Theatre Academy s information desk (Haapaniemenkatu 6, Helsinki) Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4:15 pm. NB. Applications delivered to the Theatre Academy s information desk on the last date of the application period must arrive by 3:00 pm local Helsinki time. Electronically ( , fax) submitted advance assignments or appendices are not taken into consideration. Please mark your personal information on the advance assignments, as well as the degree programme that you are applying for. Assignments can be sent or personally delivered to the following address: Theatre Academy Admissions Services/LAPS PO Box 29 FI UNIARTS (Visiting address: Haapaniemenkatu 6, Helsinki) Sending the application (application form, advance assignments, appendices) is the applicant s own responsibility. The applicant should send the application form, advance assignments and appendices in good time before the application deadline, because the Theatre Academy and the National Board of Education are not responsible for errors made by the postal services, which may result in the late arrival of the application form or advance assignments. Application forms received after the deadline are not taken into consideration. Likewise, applications with missing advance 7

8 assignments are not taken into consideration. The Theatre Academy does not accept applications with insufficient postage. Applicants should not staple application documents or their appendices together or use paper clips, but simply arrange the papers in the order of the assignments. Application documents or appendices will not be returned to the applicant. The application form, advance assignments and appendices will not be returned to the applicant. The applicant must have the appendices translated by an authorised translator, if they are in a language other than Finnish, Swedish or English. The selection processes for different programmes may overlap. In this case, you should choose which selection process you wish to take part in. The applicant should be prepared to prove his/her identity on request during the selections. 8