Theatre Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki Student Admissions 2016 MASTER S DEGREE PROGRAMME IN ECOLOGY AND CONTEMPORARY PERFORMANCE (MAECP) Two-year programme, 120 Credits WHAT IS MAECP? MA in Ecology and Contemporary Performance (MAECP) is a two-year pilot of a master s degree programme, which studies questions in ecology and performance in the era of ecological crises through a multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary approach. It attempts to respond to the questions and needs raised by the current ecological situation, as well as the current shifts taking place in the field of performing arts. It aims to respond to the challenges brought about by ecological crises that implicate all species, from the perspective of relations and dependencies. MAECP investigates and renews the methodologies, practices and theoretical bases of contemporary performance while developing new forms of collaboration, interaction and knowledge production in between the art and the sciences and within a post humanist framework. It encourages students to review and reformulate existing practices, to experiment with and invent new forms of performance making, and to maintain a degree of openness not only towards various forms of art but also towards different fields and discourses. The programme requires the students to situate their artistic practice within a larger context, to reflect on its ecological, social and political impacts, and to approach the overall relations between art and society from a critical point of view. It aims to educate agents of change, who are capable of creating new connections between different contexts (e.g. art, science, education, and activism) and of renewing the field of performing arts from within by introducing radical initiatives of their own. Collaboration, dialogue, and diversity are recognised as core values and prioritised both within the studies as well as in their organisation and planning. The programme sees diversity as both an ecological and political concern; it wants to support and generate diversity in performance making and maintain diversity in discursive practices. The study contents and core modules of the programme overlap, intertwine, and interact with each other in various ways each academic year, depending on the current projects, collaborations and networks, as well as on the needs of the programme and its students. MAECP includes a significant amount of transdisciplinary studies in Ecology and Post-humanism and studies in Contemporary Performance and Artistic research. As the programme is now realised for the first time as a pilot, the degree requirements are still under development. For more information about
the process, please contact lecturer Aune Kallinen, aune.kallinen@uniarts.fi, tel. +358 50 5603 550. You can also check the latest news at http://www.uniarts.fi/teak/ma-ecology-andcontemporary-performance-maecp. The structure of the programme aims to enable collaboration and dialogue on various levels: between the students, between the students and the teachers/mentors, as well as between various degree programmes, academies and artistic and scientific communities. It also supports intensive and extensive collaboration and networking with artists and other professionals, both in Finland and abroad. Upon the completion of the programme the student recognises the current contexts and discussions in the field of performance knows how to question established practices in performance making and approaches performance as an open question is able to construct his/her own methods in order to approach questions and themes relevant to his/her own artistic practice is familiar with philosophical, theoretical, cultural and scientific discourses related to ecology recognizes the value of ecology from the point of view of the natural sciences, humanism and the arts takes part in both the domestic and international multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary field according to his/her own interests. is well-informed about the production structures that enable multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary work, and is able to work within these structures according to the needs of individual and collaborative projects WHO IS IT FOR? We are looking for 6-8 artists from all over the world, who are willing to undertake new research in the emerging and combined fields of ecology and contemporary performance. The programme is especially appropriate for mature and self-directed students who already have an artistic practice or are well on their way in establishing such. We welcome students who are already into the question of and about ecology by their previous studies, working experience or means of activism. This, however, is not a requirement. We assume the students to have a great interest towards ecological questions, courage to approach a performance as an open question, and a desire to think about and practise these things together. The programme seeks to overcome the boundaries between research and practice. The University of Arts Helsinki renews art alongside fostering our artistic heritage. This new university was launched in 2013 upon the merging of the Finnish Academy of Fine Arts, Sibelius Academy, and Theatre Academy Helsinki. The university now comprises the three academies, which offer a lively and innovative platform for studying performing arts. 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. Situated on the Baltic Sea, the city is surrounded by forests, islands, wetlands, fractal coastlines. 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 MAECP 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 MAECP 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 Advance assignments 1 & 2 as the primary means to convince the MAECP Admissions Committee of the efficacy of her/his application. General Selection Criteria A person is eligible to apply for the two-year Master s Programme in MAECP if s/he 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 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 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 email. 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 Admission Services by 15 July 2016 at 3:00 pm local Helsinki time 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. Language Requirements The language of study and degree in the MAECP Programme is English. All applicants for the MA Programme in Ecology and Contemporary Performance 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 2016. 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 foreign
language 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 11 February 2016 at 3:00 pm local Helsinki time. Applicants should submit interim results of language tests by email 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. Selection Phases I-III The application period is 8 January 27 January 2016. 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 email by week 9. Phase I Phase II The application form, advance assignments and appendices should be submitted by 27 January 2016 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 will be posted for those eligible for the next phase, based on general selection criteria and advanced assignments, on 4 March 2016, at the latest. Submission of the intermediate assignment will be by 25 March 2016 and may be done by email. 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 sent via email by 8 April 2016 at the latest. Phase III 30 May 3 June 2016 (Auditions in Helsinki) NB. Some applicants may be eliminated during phase III. Results 8 June 2016
Assessment Criteria In the advance assignment and entrance exam assessment we pay attention to the following: Applicant s knowledge and artistic abilities in the field of ecology and contemporary performance Artistic viewpoint Motivation, maturity, and commitment Interaction skills Exploratory, experimental, and conceptual approach to applicant s body of work and ideas Capacity for analytical thought and evidence of reflection in one s own work Desire to combine theory and practice Interest in research as an artistic methodology A demonstrated ability to understand and apply theoretical readings in English to one s own practice The expertise in a field to be related to ecology and/or contemporary performance Suitability for studies in Ecology and Contemporary Performance and for Masters level studies In addition, the jury aims to find a group that functions well together and has good studying dynamics. 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 submitted in printed form. Write your name in each paper. Please do not staple the papers together. 1. Write an application letter, in which you discuss and explain your relationship with ecology and contemporary performance, max. 5 pages (A4). The letter should indicate clearly why the applicant is applying to this programme and what is of interest to her/him in the combination of ecology and contemporary performance. 2. Prepare a portfolio presenting your own artistic work (may include text, video and/or image). The portfolio or its website address must be submitted with the application. 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 list of your education, work experience, and artistic experience) 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. The Theatre Academy s Admissions Services cannot make copies of original diplomas or certificates or of the application form, nor can it certify such documents. These appendices are to be in Finnish, Swedish or English. If they are not in Finnish, Swedish or English, the applicant is to have them translated by an authorised translator. Applying The application period is 8 January 27 January 2016. 1. Complete the application form MAECP can be found on the Studyinfo-system under the name of: Master s Admission, Ecology and Contemporary Performance, Master of Arts in Theatre and Drama (2 yr) Please complete the electronic application form at www.studyinfo.fi by 27 January 2016 at 3:00 pm (local Helsinki time), or request a paper form from the Theatre Academy s Admissions Services. All applications must be delivered to the Theatre Academy s Admissions Services by 27 January 2016 at 3:00 pm local Helsinki time. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. The electronic application form is available only during the application period 7 27 January 2016. Do note that you are to print or copy the application form, and attach it with your advance assignments. Please do not staple the application documents together. Theatre Academy Admissions Services tel. +358 40 661 4662 e-mail: teak.admissions@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 Submit the advance assignments, appendices and a print or copy of the online application to the Theatre Academy s Admissions Services by 27 January 2016 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 (e-mail) 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/MAECP PO Box 29 FI-00097 UNIARTS Finland (Visiting and courier address: Theatre Academy, Admission Services, Haapaniemenkatu 6, 00530 Helsinki, Finland) 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 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. The applicants are not insured by the Theatre Academy in the entrance exams.
Follow the University of the Arts Helsinki and the Theatre Academy on social media. The Theatre Academy will publish some application information on its Facebook page. @Taideyliopisto @Teatterikorkeakoulu @Uniartshelsinki