The Strzemiński Academy of Fine Arts in Lodz

The Strzemiński Academy of Art Łódź (ASP Łódź) was established in 1945 as the Łódź State Art School (PWSSP Łódź).

The school based on the achievements of the city’s pre-war avantgarde community with such excellent artists as Władysław Strzemiński, Stefan Wegner, Katarzyna Kobro, Karol Hiller or Samuel Szczekacz. This resulted in a unique character of the school, directly inspired by the artistic and didactic output of the Bauhaus movement and the didactic experience of Kasimir Malevich. Design practice was meant to be as important as the study of nature; a lot of attention was paid to development of visual perception conforming with the newest art trends. Władysław Strzemiński, an outstanding constructivist artist, theoretician and educator, organised the school from its very beginnings and deeply influenced the initial stage of its history. His innovative art and didactic ideas formed the character of the academy.

However, the totalitarian Stalinist regime installed in Poland after the war began to pursue a highly ideologised aesthetic program and did not tolerate Strzemiński’s avantgarde concepts any more – in 1950, the school was forced to dismiss the artist, who would die forgotten soon afterwards. Numerous experimental studios and faculties were closed and the school had to focus on cooperation with the textile industry only. It took many years and important political changes to re-establish the wide, universal range of education as envisaged by the founders of the school.

In recognition of Strzemiński’s merits the school assumed his name in 1988. In 1996, it was officially recognized as one of Poland’s seven state art academies. A new, modern headquarters for the school was erected in 1976 – its architecture soon is now one of the Academy's symbols and an important city landmark.

For many years, the Academy has encouraged student and staff mobility within the framework of the Erasmus Programme. We cooperate with over sixty institutions of higher education throughout Europe. Students can apply for scholarships and internships in European art academies, art related enterprises and culture centres. Students and teachers participate not only in exhibitions, workshops and symposia organized all over the world, but also in prestigious international fairs and festivals.

Moreover, the Academy is an organizer of a number of international events. In 2013, we held for the first time the Young Textile Art Triennial competition. Since 2013, the Academy has also organised the International Summer Courses of Printmaking and Textile Art – PATA.

Erasmus students about the Strzemiński Academy of Art Łódź

Students can find accommodation in double and triple rooms in the conveniently located Student Hall of Residence. Cafeteria, located on the fourth floor of the Academy’s main building, offers a selection of sandwiches, salads, snacks and warm meals. Convenient public transport infrastructure easily connecting the campus and the city centre allow for quick travelling around the city.

The Student Council, elected once a year, is the co-organiser of various student exhibitions and parties. Every year, the authorities of each of faculties in cooperation with the Department of Promotion prepare numerous student exhibitions, workshops, competitions and lectures while the International Office organises exhibitions for the Erasmus+ Programme participants, language meetings and presentations of partner institutions.