Teaching period: August 12 – August 19, 2026
1 pre-lecture(1,5 hours) Late Spring 2026 + 1 intro session (12.8. Helsinki) + 1 week site research studio (13.8. – 19.8.) + 1 recap-lecture (1,5 hours)- Autumn 2026.
Location: Academy of Fine Arts Helsinki + KEVO research station, Utsjoki
ECTS: 3
Language of instruction: English
Host institution: Academy of Fine Arts, University of the Arts Helsinki
Partner institutions: Trondheim Academy of Fine Art, Norway, Royal Institute of Art, Stockholm, Sweden
Application deadline: Please apply by 30 of April (acceptances by end of May 2026)
How to apply: Interested participants must submit a motivation letter (1 A4, max. 500 words) reflecting on their own artistic work as related to the given theme and program of the course, as well as a maximum of 3 portfolio images)- send to: https://link.webropolsurveys.com/Participation/Public/5f045445-83a2-4260-9583-cef1af4d87fa?displayId=Fin3591753
Number of available place for KUNO students: 12 (9 students max. from Royal Institute of Art, Stockholm, Trondheim Academy of Fine Art, Academy of Fine Arts, University of the Arts Helsinki + 3 students from other KUNO network academies
Level: BA & MA
Requirements: BA + MA enrolled students from a KUNO network academy. Exchange students are not elgiable.
Description of the course: “Rare Earths: Field Studies in the Extractive North” is a KUNO Network funded course organized as the second iteration of a multi-year research project between the Royal Institute of Art, Stockholm (KKH), Trondheim Academy of Fine Art (NTNU), and the University of the Arts Helsinki, Academy of Fine Arts.
For this second call, hosted by the Academy of Fine Arts Helsinki, the focus will be centered around a field visit (scheduled between 12.8.–19.8.2026) to the KEVO Scientific Research Station near Utsjoki, Northern Finland.
We begin with an introductory session on 12.8. at the Academy of Fine Arts Helsinki, and depart to Rovaniemi by night train. We continue to KEVO Research Station, Utsjoki, on the morning of 13.8. We return to Helsinki on 19.8.
Rare Earths focuses on the complex relationship between climate change, extractivism, and energy transition in the North, explored through artistic research and an engagement with climate science.
Held in Kevo Scientific Research Station, the course facilitates an intensive week of field studies, dialogues, expeditions, participatory data gathering, and their interpretation, bookended by a series of online seminars.
The outcomes of the course result additionally in field notes, blog posts, and a book publication.
Travel and accommodation costs are covered for all students; dinner will be prepared collectively at the station (food costs are individually covered).
Teacher(s):
Åsa Andersson Broms - Royal Institute of Art, Stockholm, Sweden, asa.andersson.broms@kkh.se
Nabil Ahmed - Trondheim Academy of Fine Art, Norway, nabil.ahmed@ntnu.no
Samir Bhowmik and Frank Brümmel - Academy of Fine Arts, University of the Arts Helsinki, samir.bhowmik@uniarts.fi; frank.brummel@uniarts.fi
Visiting Teachers: Jussi Parikka, Åarhus University, DK; Matti Aikio, Artist (FI)
Additional information: The course travels between Finland and Norway. Thus students need to carry passports and permissions that allow transit in between.
Do keep in mind the following rules:
-KUNO express mobility grants are only for BA / MA level students (not PhD)
-KUNO express mobility is intended for degree students at KUNO member schools (not exchange students whose home school is not a KUNO member)
-KUNO express grants can not be given to students who have already graduated at the time of the express course
Contact:
Questions about the course content: frank.brummel@uniarts.fi
Questions about the application: kuva.international@uniarts.fi
