EDUKATORIUM 2026: The Art of Education — Art Education

The symposium is the next part of the series of meetings started in 2023. It is implemented by the Museum of Krakow (MK) and the University of the National Education Commission (UKEN) on the basis of a cooperation agreement binding both institutions. The symposium is also a forum for discussion and shaping the direction of future activities and presentation of the results of realized projects at the junction of the museum and university environment. It is also the activity space of the Center for Museological Research, which operates at UKEN.

A characteristic feature of the conference cycle is the discussion on the multidimensionality of education implemented in museums, by museums and on their initiative in cooperation and with the support of academic communities educating future museum staff.

One of the regular elements of the meetings is the presentation of guide certificates to students who completed the course Museum Expositions of the Museum of Krakow implemented at UKEN in the previous academic year.

This year's 4th edition of the Edukatorium (date: November 6, 2026, Friday, place: Krzysztofory Palace), will be devoted to the art of education and education about art — understood as a meeting of theory with practice, research with experience, students and lecturers and institutions with their recipients. We want to reflect together on how to talk about art today, how to teach its interpretation and conscious perception, and how to build experience, develop sensitivity and encourage active participation in culture.

We invite representatives of the academic, museum and students to participate to discuss the contemporary challenges of art education. We want to answer the questions: how can we teach about art today — both in museums and universities — in order not only to impart knowledge, but also to shape experience, develop interpretative competence and encourage active participation in culture? What role do museums, universities and urban space play today in the process of art education? In turn, we want to ask students how they would like to use artistic heritage in their educational, social or popularization activities in their future work.

In the expert panel we will focus on new perspectives of education and challenges related to the preparation of future artists, educators, cultural animators and museologists. We are particularly interested in presentations on issues such as:

— modern models of education in artistic fields and their adaptation to the changing needs of cultural institutions — didactics of art and visual education — how to teach interpretation and conscious perception of art — cooperation of universities with museums as an element of practical education of students — preparation of future artists — educators and cultural animators — design of educational activities around art — from theory to practice — use of new technologies, media digital and artificial intelligence in art education — developing social and communication competences of art graduates — research on the perception of art and museum education as an inspiration for didactic programs.