Development strategy

Development Strategy of the Faculty of Fine Arts


The Faculty of Fine Arts was established in January 2025 as part of the reorganisation of the University of Rzeszów. It represents the discipline of fine arts and art conservation and delivers teaching, artistic, design, exhibition, and research activities within the broader field of art and related disciplines.

The Faculty comprises four departments: Painting, Printmaking and Art Theory, Graphic Design and Multimedia, and Drawing and Spatial Practices. Although relatively small in comparison with other European art academies, the Faculty encompasses a wide range of artistic and design practices. It possesses strong creative potential and actively collaborates with national and international academic, artistic, and research institutions.

The Faculty’s research excellence is reflected in its A+ category, the highest distinction awarded in Poland, which is of fundamental importance for its long-term development. Research and artistic activity within the discipline of fine arts and art conservation is carried out by four dedicated research teams.

The Faculty offers three principal degree programmes: Graphics and Painting, both as integrated master’s programmes, and Visual Arts, offered at both first- and second-cycle levels. Students may also pursue doctoral studies at the Doctoral School of the University of Rzeszów. The high quality of education provided by the Faculty is confirmed by the excellent evaluation it has received from the Polish Accreditation Committee. Students are also able to develop their artistic interests and creative potential through participation in student art societies.

The University of Rzeszów is authorised to confer both doctoral and postdoctoral degrees in the discipline of fine arts and art conservation.

Mission

The mission of the Faculty of Fine Arts is to support artistic and design creativity while imparting knowledge and cultivating both practical and conceptual skills. The Faculty seeks not only to foster artistic competence but also to promote culture more broadly. It aims to create conditions conducive to the development of the academic community and to engage with the socio-economic environment in order to provide innovative, contemporary education that responds to current challenges in art and design.

Vision

As a modern and dynamic academic unit, the Faculty of Fine Arts draws upon both a rich artistic tradition and contemporary trends, embracing innovative approaches and solutions. It provides a creative environment that fosters artistic exploration, research, and experimentation in art and design.

Core Values

· Diversity and openness – valuing and supporting individual creative expression, encouraging diverse approaches to art and design, and fostering interdisciplinary connections between art, science, and technology.

· Social and environmental responsibility – cultivating awareness of contemporary global challenges and educating artists and designers who recognise the role of art within social and ecological contexts.

· Innovation and creativity – promoting the courage to experiment, originality of thought, and forward-looking solutions in art and design, with particular emphasis on the development of new media, emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, and contemporary artistic practices.

· Dialogue and cooperation – creating an open space for the exchange of ideas and for collaboration with cultural institutions, the creative sector, and both local and international communities.


Strategic Goals and Activities

I. Research and Artistic Practice

1. Enhancing the quality of research and artistic practice
1.1. To introduce procedures that support high-quality research and creative activity.
1.2. To increase the share of interdisciplinary research.
1.3. To maintain a high research category in the national evaluation process.

2. Internationalisation of research
2.1. To establish international research teams.
2.2. To develop cooperation with internationally recognised artists and researchers.
2.3. To organise international exhibitions, symposia, and competitions.

3. Securing external funding
3.1. To improve the effectiveness of acquiring external funding for research and artistic projects.
3.2. To increase participation in national and international grant schemes.

II. Education

1. Aligning education with labour market needs.
2. Developing curricula in cooperation with external partners.
3. Enhancing student competences and strengthening graduate employability.
4. Promoting a more individualised approach to teaching.
5. Expanding international student mobility and provision for international students.
6. Strengthening the international dimension of education through courses taught in English.
7. Maintaining active engagement with alumni.
|8. Supporting the development of teaching competences among academic staff.

III. Engagement with the Environment

1. Building lasting relationships between the Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Rzeszów and its external environment
1.1. To develop cooperation with cultural institutions at local, regional, and national levels.
1.2. To strengthen engagement with experts from the socio-economic environment in joint projects.
1.3. To utilise the Faculty’s artistic potential in promoting the University and the region.
1.4. To develop and maintain networks with potential employers.

2. Utilising the economic potential of the region in the Faculty’s activities
2.1. To identify and make use of local economic niches in research development.
2.2. To cooperate with stakeholders in the development and evaluation of study programmes.
2.3. To identify labour market needs and develop appropriate educational provision.

IV. Development

1. Strengthening cooperation with other universities
1.1. To expand cooperation with international partner institutions.
1.2. To reinforce collaboration with domestic universities.

2. Developing human capital
2.1. To make more effective use of the competences of academic staff.
2.2. To support early-career staff in their professional development.
2.3. To ensure the continuous professional development of staff.


Final Statement

The Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Rzeszów aspires to become a dynamic academic centre of European distinction, fostering creative development and contributing meaningfully to the future of art.