Full-time study

4 years

doc. MgA. Filip Cenek

Chairman :
doc. MgA. Filip Cenek
Councillor internal :
doc. MgA. Barbora Klímová, ArtD.
prof. Mgr. A. Lenka Klodová, Ph.D.
prof. MgA. Petr Kvíčala
MgA. Lenka Veselá, M.A., Ph.D.
doc. Mgr. Jan Zálešák, Ph.D.
Mgr. Barbora Šedivá, Ph.D.
PhDr. Kaliopi Chamonikolasová, Ph.D.
doc. Mgr. Václav Magid
Councillor external :
doc. Mgr. Lada Hubatová-Vacková, Ph.D.
prof. Mgr. Vladimír Havlík
prof. PaeDr. Radek Horáček, Ph.D.
doc. Mgr. Jana Horáková, Ph.D.

The doctoral program Research in Art and Design offers a top-level artistic and scientific education focused on fine art practice and artistic research. The purpose of the program is to provide highly specialized education not only to graduates of art schools and faculties but also to graduates from related fields who focus on various aspects of contemporary art and design (curating, gallery operations, cultural management, art criticism, and the history and theory of contemporary art and design). The main goal of the program is to develop the student’s creative potential, coupled with enhancing their ability to analyze and critically reflect on the issues related to their specific area of artistic practice. The individually guided study plan builds directly on the achieved master’s level and significantly expands previously acquired knowledge and skills. The high level of specialization of admitted students means that the study is highly individualized – supervisors (along with expert consultants) support students primarily through feedback and by guiding them to relevant topics, sources, institutions, and individuals. The program also includes common courses that are mandatory for all students. While graduates of art disciplines are encouraged to further expand their knowledge in the areas of art and/or design theory, graduates from related fields gain a deeper understanding of artistic research and current artistic practices.

A defining feature of doctoral studies at the Faculty of Fine Arts at Brno University of Technology is the emphasis on dialogue and the sharing of knowledge and experience among students with different backgrounds. This dialogue is facilitated through joint seminars and colloquia, where students present their dissertation projects, along with associated research and creative (and possibly also pedagogical) activities.

The joint discussions among participating students provide an opportunity to identify new creative strategies or forms of artistic practice, interdisciplinary overlaps, and broader contexts, as well as to explore the specific methods of research, social and cultural contexts of contemporary art and design, or the implications of art-based research for teaching in the arts. The aim of the program is to ensure the maximum competitiveness of graduates in diverse systems and institutions of art practice, research, and education, both domestically and internationally. Last but not least, the program contributes to the development of contemporary art and design as a culturally and socially significant area of practice and knowledge, offering an alternative to the exact sciences.

Graduates of the doctoral program Research in Art and Design are distinguished figures in the fields of art and design (professional artists, designers, critics, art historians, theorists, curators, cultural producers, etc.). The fact that they were able to integrate scientific research methods with creative practice (oriented towards an artistic artifact or exhibition project) during their studies gives them the best possible foundation for success in both the contemporary art and design sectors and in academia.

A graduate of the doctoral program possesses knowledge and skills in three main areas, whose synergy allows for broad applicability: highly specialized theoretical knowledge and practical skills closely related to the dissertation topic; expertise and abilities necessary for conducting artistic work, scientific research, and creative activities; and personal and interpersonal skills (soft skills) that enable the graduate to convincingly advocate for their ideas and opinions at a professional level, present and defend their work, engage in discussions, and effectively work in or lead a team.

The acquired professional knowledge, skills, and general competencies open up wide-ranging opportunities for graduates in the fields of artistic research, presentation of contemporary art or design, and its reflection, whether in independent creative practice or within various institutions associated with contemporary art operations and the cultural and creative industries. The program’s emphasis on interdisciplinarity and cross-disciplinary overlaps enhances the competitiveness and employability of graduates in the job market.

In accordance with the relevant government regulations (concerning areas of education in higher education) and considering their specialization, graduates possess: thorough and systematic knowledge in the history and theory of art and/or design; deep understanding of the current state of fine art and design practice; broad insight into related artistic and social sciences fields, with an emphasis on mutual overlaps and interdisciplinarity; knowledge of strategies and methods for professional presentation, interpretation, and promotion of art and design, with a focus on contemporary forms of artistic expression. Graduates are capable of: independently selecting the topic of their creative or research work, designing and developing a strategy for its execution, and fully realizing their project; choosing appropriate materials, processing methods, forms, and technological means in the creation of their work, utilizing a wide range of available technological possibilities, specialized programs, and tools; expressing themselves through specialized text in accordance with academic writing standards, communicating, explaining, and defending their views and positions, publicly presenting and defending their work, selecting appropriate presentation methods and strategies for mediating their work in galleries, media, and virtual environments, both nationally and internationally; seeking out relevant references and sources of inspiration, utilizing them in their work, and citing them in accordance with research ethics; processing and applying insights from foreign-language environments, continuously monitoring the development of current trends in their field; and professionally communicating in a foreign-language environment. Graduates are qualified to: lead professional discussions about their own work and the general issues of creating and presenting contemporary art and design; formulate their creative approaches and goals based on practical experience and theoretical knowledge; present their work in a foreign language and participate in conferences, symposia, media, and public engagements; act as independent creators on both the domestic and international scene, in the management of cultural organizations and institutions, as creators and researchers in the creative industries, and in leadership positions within cultural institutions; and engage in art education at all levels, including in roles of leadership and strategy.

Graduates of the program may hold the following typical positions: professional artist and/or designer (self-employed individuals operating under copyright law); curator of exhibitions and collections (expert in the organization and management of art exhibitions and collections); gallerist (gallery operators responsible for the selection and presentation of artworks); educator of cultural and educational programs (expert in the preparation and delivery of educational programs in the cultural sphere); teacher of art-related subjects (instructors at universities and secondary schools); conceptual or creative worker in cultural institutions and private entities operating within the creative industry; (lead) cultural management professional (expert in cultural management and administration within cultural departments at various levels of public administration); research scientist in non-profit organizations or state institutions at both national and international levels; specialist in expert, conceptual, methodological, analytical, strategic, and legislative work in the cultural field; interdisciplinary collaborator (professional working in teams that combine art and design with technology, science, and social sciences); specialist in art and/or design (expert in the creation and development of digital artworks and design projects); entrepreneur (founder of start-ups and companies in the field of art and design); author of reviews, studies, and catalog texts in the field of art and/or design (individual combining their creative work with critical or theoretical reflection on contemporary art and design).

Graduates are also capable of holding leadership and decision-making positions in prestigious institutions such as the National Gallery in Prague, the Moravian Gallery in Brno, the Brno House of Arts, and other cultural institutions in the Czech Republic and abroad. They also work as academic or research staff at universities and research institutes.

The course of doctoral studies is governed by the Individual Study Plan (ISP) of the doctoral student. The study of compulsory subjects takes place over six semesters according to the Teaching Schedule. The seventh and eighth semesters of the doctoral program are dedicated to the completion and finalization of the dissertation. The student is required to successfully pass an English language examination and fulfill the obligation of a foreign internship lasting at least one month, which can be substituted by participation in an international creative project with results published or presented abroad, or another form of direct involvement in international collaboration.

The core compulsory course is the Dissertation Seminar 1–6, which takes place during the first six semesters of study and is completed with a credit awarded by the supervisor. Other compulsory courses include Research Methods in the Humanities and Social Sciences 1–2, Research Publication in Art and Design, and Joint Theoretical Teaching 1–4, all of which are also completed with a credit. The compulsory course, Dissertation Progress, is scheduled for the sixth semester and is also completed with a credit. The optional compulsory courses are PhD Lab 1 and PhD Lab 2, of which at least one must be completed by the doctoral student during the first two years of study. In line with the profile of graduates of the doctoral program, it is obligatory for the doctoral student to complete a course that develops pedagogical competencies. The student demonstrates the completion of the study part of the ISP by passing the compulsory and optional compulsory courses before taking the state doctoral examination, the form and content of which are defined by the Brno University of Technology’s Study and Examination Regulations. The program concludes with the defense of the dissertation, which must contain original and published results of the student’s own research and creative activities or results accepted for publication. A successful public defense of the dissertation marks the end of the doctoral studies and demonstrates the graduate’s ability and readiness for independent research activities. Students in the full-time form of study are required to complete teaching practice in accordance with the internal regulations of the university and faculty.

The rules and conditions for the creation of study programs are determined by the Regulations of Study Programs at Brno University of Technology (BUT), the Standards of Study Programs at BUT, the Study and Examination Regulations of BUT, the relevant dean’s directive, the Rules for the Organization of Studies at the Faculty of Fine Arts BUT (an appendix to the Study and Examination Regulations of BUT), and the Rules of Procedure of the Field Council of the Faculty of Fine Arts BUT. Doctoral programs at BUT do not operate within a credit system. The duration of a teaching hour is 50 minutes. The grading scales are “passed,” “failed,” and for the defense of the dissertation, “defended” and “not defended.”

The Individual Study Plan (ISP) is the fundamental document for the individual specialized training of the doctoral student. The ISP is a binding document that outlines the content and timeline for the student’s studies and independent artistic-research or scientific-research activities related to the dissertation project. The ISP is approved by the doctoral student, the supervisor, and the head of the training department. It is then forwarded to the faculty’s field council for discussion, and upon their recommendation, it is approved by the dean of the faculty. The ISP includes both compulsory courses and (compulsory) elective courses, which the doctoral student selects with the supervisor’s approval, considering the focus of the dissertation.

The study of compulsory courses takes place over six semesters according to the Teaching Schedule. The seventh and eighth semesters of the doctoral program are reserved for the completion and finalization of the dissertation. The student is required to successfully pass an English language examination and fulfill the obligation of a foreign internship lasting at least one month, which can be substituted by participation in an international creative project with results published or presented abroad, or another form of direct involvement in international collaboration.

The core compulsory course is the Dissertation Seminar 1–6, which takes place during the first six semesters of study and is completed with a credit awarded by the supervisor. Other compulsory courses include Research Methods in the Humanities and Social Sciences 1–2, Research Publication in Art and Design, and Joint Theoretical Teaching 1–4, all of which are also completed with a credit. The compulsory course, Dissertation Progress, scheduled for the sixth semester, is also completed with a credit. The optional compulsory courses are PhD Lab 1 and PhD Lab 2, of which at least one must be completed by the doctoral student during the first two years of study. In line with the profile of graduates of the doctoral program, it is obligatory for the doctoral student to complete a course that develops pedagogical competencies.

The student demonstrates the completion of the study part of the ISP by passing the compulsory and optional compulsory courses before taking the state doctoral examination, the form and content of which are defined by the Study and Examination Regulations of BUT. The program concludes with the defense of the dissertation, which must contain original and published results of the student’s own research and creative activities or results accepted for publication.

BUT provides support for students with specific needs, with details outlined in Rector’s Directive No. 11/2017 (www.vutbr.cz/uredni-deska/vnitrni-predpisy-a-dokumenty/-d141841/uplne-zneni-smernice-c-11-2017-p147551). To ensure equal access to higher education, BUT has integrated a counseling center within its organizational structure. This center is part of the Institute of Lifelong Learning at BUT, and its mission is to provide counseling and support services to applicants and students with specific educational needs. Specific educational needs refer to learning disabilities, physical and sensory handicaps, chronic somatic illnesses, autism spectrum disorders, communication impairments, and mental health conditions.

Students are provided with information regarding the accessibility of study programs in relation to their specific needs, as well as information on the architectural accessibility of the university’s various faculties and facilities, accommodation options in BUT dormitories, and the possibility of adapting the admission process and the study itself. Additional services offered by the center for students with specific educational needs include interpretation and transcription services, as well as assistance services such as guiding and spatial orientation, with the primary goal of enabling these students to demonstrate their skills and knowledge on par with other students. This is achieved through the adaptation of the study process, i.e., appropriate modification of the study regime, which should not be understood as a simplification of study content or relaxation of academic requirements. Barrier-free access in faculty buildings is currently ensured by a mobile stair lift.

The doctoral program in Research in Art and Design is primarily intended for graduates of master’s degree programs in the field of Art Education. Within the Faculty of Fine Arts at BUT, the doctoral program builds on the master’s degree programs in Fine Art and Design.