Life of an Art Student Pod

Internationally acclaimed musician and artist, Tarek Atoui speaks about his practice at the intersection of music and visual arts. Atoui, who is based in Paris and originally from Lebanon, makes unique sculptural instruments and views architecture as a sounding body. Listen for profound advice on patience, failure, and the necessity of playfulness. He also advocates for the power of human encounte...

Anna Korolainen Crevier ( @annakorolainencrevier ) from @spindrifttheatre discusses the Master’s in Comparative Dramaturgy and Performance Research (CDPR) . The unique double-degree program, which she experienced in both Helsinki and Paris, provides an in-depth understanding of dramaturgy as the "anatomy of a performance." Anna shares details about the program's focus on artistic res...

In this episode, Siiri discusses the Cultural Study of Music program at the Sibelius Academy, a degree that focuses on music from the perspective of cultural studies. Why does Siiri value a broad education, who are the forgotten female Finnish composers and how did she land in the Seinäjoki unit of the Academy? You will find out, and more, in this weeks interview. Or read all about it in the blogp...

From street dance to circus acrobatics, dance isn't just about movement—it's about connection. In this episode, Paulina Latva ( @pauliinalatva, www.pauliinalatva.com ) joins us to discuss the Master's in Dance Pedagogy at the Theatre Academy. We dive into her journey, the core philosophy of her studies, and how dance education is evolving to embrace new ideas about embodied learning. T...

Tuuli talks about the versatile and broad nature of her Master's in Music Education at the Sibelius Academy. She shares her personal journey and experiences, discussing how the program focuses on both musicianship and pedagogy. There are also insight into current trends and challenges in the field, such as gender equality and the role of art in society. Read the connected blog post here . Time...

Ever wondered what happens behind the scenes of the art world? Well, come listen as Matilda and Yesol discuss their Arts Management, Society and Creative Entrepreneurship degree at the Sibelius Academy. They reveal the importance of passion, finding a framework, and what an "arts manager" actually does in a degree where you can carve your own path. As a blog post. Timestamps (0:44) - Wha...

Best enjoyed on headphones – this episode is recorded in immersive binaural sound. In this episode, sound design MA student and ambassador Sarah Kivi dives into the heart of Finnish sauna culture with Kimmo Helistö – a pioneering entrepreneur and cultural advocate known for revitalizing Helsinki’s public sauna scene. From steam to silence, tradition to transformation – join us for a exploration of...

In this episode, student ambassador Snowdrop shares their experience of choosing a field of study at the Academy of Fine Arts.  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/snowdrop_belmont/    

In this episode, student ambassador Elle (@studiomokii) interviews Rong (@rrong.ci.z) about their cycling experiences and how these have influenced her artistic practice, as well as sharing some tips on getting a bike and maintaining it especially for those who live in Helsinki.      Helsinki Cycling I: Where to Get a Bike? https://blogit.uniarts.fi/en/post/helsinki-cycling-i-where-to-get-a-bike/...

Mylly is an introduction period for newcomers to the Academy of Fine Arts. In this episode, student ambassador Snowdrop (@snowdrop_belmont) talks about what the introduction period for bachelor’s students is like at the Academy of Fine Arts (KuvA). 

In this episode, Rong-Ci Zhang interviews Caressa Betist and Lola Barraud about their artistic practices and their works for Kuvan Kevät 2025.  Kuvan Kevät is the name of the Academy of Fine Arts Master’s graduation exhibition.  Lola Barraud workshop during Kuvan Kevät:  Dates : 24/05, 01/06, 07/06, 14/06  Times : 11:00 or 14:00  Location: Kuva/Tila  Bookings are made by email as the workshops are...

In this episode, student ambassadors Haiyun and Rong share their experiences of voting in the Finnish municipal election, held on 13 April 2025, as foreign nationals. What was it like to vote? And what does it mean for international students to have the right to vote? Timestamps (0:33) – Self-introduction (2:03) – How did we learn about the municipal election? (3:50) – What are the eligibility req...

George: “The whole point of academia is learning, trying and failing, and then progressing and expanding because of that.”  Lapsing Around is a series on Life of an Art Student Pod that delves deep into the LAPS programme.   In this episode, Georgios Rallis interviews Shaghayegh Ansari, a student in the LAPS programme (Live Art and Performance Studies, MA at the Theatre Academy, Uniarts Helsinki)....

How do you know when it’s the right time to go? In this episode, Rong interviews Elle (a second-year master’s student in Printmaking at the Academy of Fine Arts) about her student exchange experience in Tromsø, Norway.  Blog post on exchange studies by Elle: Differences and Similarities Between Studying in Norway vs. Finland   Bus from Finland to Norway: Eskelisen Lapin Linjat   Timestamps  (0:43)...

Lapsing Around is a series on Life of an Art Student Pod that delves deep into the LAPS programme.   In this episode, Georgios Rallis interviews Xiaole Wang, a student in the LAPS programme (Live Art and Performance Studies, MA at the Theatre Academy, Uniarts Helsinki).      Link to LAPS programme: https://www.uniarts.fi/en/study-programmes/live-art-and-performance-studies-master/   Link to blog p...

In this episode, Rong interviews Gesa Piper, an alumni of the Theatre Academy and project coordinator of TIAN (TeaK’s International Alumni Network). They reflected on Uniarts’ language policy, the main function of languages as a tool for information trading within the academy, and various linguistic aspects in their practices.  Link to TIAN’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tian_uniarts/   Ti...

Lapsing Around is a new series on Life of an Art Student Pod that delves deep into the LAPS programme.   In this episode, Georgios Rallis interviews Duncan Robertson, a student in the LAPS programme (Live Art and Performance Studies, MA at the Theatre Academy, Uniarts Helsinki).   Link to LAPS programme: https://www.uniarts.fi/en/study-programmes/live-art-and-performance-studies-master/   Link to...

Lapsing Around is a new three-episode series on Life of an Art Student Pod .  In this episode, Georgios Rallis interviews Freja Backman, a lecturer in the LAPS programme (Live Art and Performance Studies, MA at the Theatre Academy, Uniarts Helsinki). They discuss their artistic practices, the meaning of “we” and collective today.  Link to LAPS programme: https://www.uniarts.fi/en/study-programmes/...

Lapsing Around is a new three-episode series on Life of an Art Student Pod.   In the first episode, Georgios Rallis interviews Tero Nauha, professor of the LAPS programme (Live Art and Performance Studies, MA at the Theatre Academy, Uniarts Helsinki). They discuss everything related to LAPS and Uniarts, including the application process, the programme’s content, and the experiences of students wit...

In this episode, Rong and Asja (Anastasiia Lapteva), who studies printmaking at the Academy of Fine Arts, discuss the process of preparing for a bachelor’s exhibition, how seminars are conducted, and how the practices are discussed both within the academy and beyond. Timestamps (0:45) – Self-introduction (1:52) – What’s the overall structure of the bachelor’s thesis? (3:34) – Does writing your the...

In this episode, Rong and Mark (Mark Reid Bulatovic), who mastered classical guitar performance at the Sibelius Academy, discuss post-graduation opportunities, how to continue creating art, and how they navigate Finland’s and Helsinki's art scene after graduating. The episode also includes conversations about language learning and cultural experiences.  Timestamps (0:30) - Self-introduction (1:38)...

In this episode, Rong interviews Chen (@ chen.nadler) from the Choreography program at the Theatre Academy to discuss post-graduation opportunities and how they navigate Helsinki's art scene as a completely new environment.  Urban Apa: https://urbanapa.fi/   Timestamps  (0:50) - Self-introduction  (1:23) - What do most people do after graduating from your academy?  (3:14) - What side jobs do peopl...

What are the career options for an arts management student? How can one find a job in Finland after graduating from Uniarts? In this episode, Uniarts ambassadors Haiyun (@asteroidcatcher) and Rong-Ci Zhang ( @rrong.ci.z ) share their thoughts and visions about life after graduation as artists in Finland. We discuss the possibilities for career paths after graduation, as well as issues related to r...

This interview with Chen Nadler ( @ chen.nadler ) is truly amazing to discover how movement is a language to explore dreams, ideas and energies. Chen is studying a Master of Choreography in the Theatre Academy at the University of Arts Helsinki and creates worlds and spaces with people. In her studies, she dives deep into literature and meaning.   Find the blog about this episode here.   Timestamp...

Sabina Aftyka ( @sabinaaftyka ) is developing her extraordinary skill of playing the accordion in the Sibelius Academy at the University of Arts Helsinki. After the admission process with a romantic piece, her daily life is filled with practice, friends, coffee, theory, her thesis and pedagogical studies. The future holds a daunting sense of calmness and attention-capturing multimedia performances...