Summer 2025: Czech Republic: Arts Studios in Creative Writing, Contemporary Dance & Photography

Explore photography, creative writing, or contemporary dance through an intensive arts workshop, while examining current debates around arts, politics, and society.

At a Glance

Credits

Prerequisites

None

Courses taught in

English

Dates

May 24 – Jul 4

Program Countries

Czech Republic

Program Base

Prague

Critical Global Issue of Study

Education & Social Change

Overview

Why study abroad in the Czech Republic?

Artists are the foremost custodians of free expression in the Czech Republic and other young Central European democracies. In this program, you will learn about mechanisms artists employ to engage political debate and promote the values of inclusion and social justice, take part in daily workshops with professional artists, and attend performances, exhibitions, and other cultural events. You may select one of the three studio workshops: photography, creative writing, or contemporary dance.

Photography students work under the guidance of a professional photographer, study the methods of historic Czech avant-garde and contemporary photographers, and prepare their own exhibition at a public art gallery. Creative writing students write fiction under the guidance of a local novelist, read and critique contemporary Czech fiction and poetry, and present their own work at a final literary evening. Contemporary dance students take part in daily studio work, attend performances, learn about trends in Czech dance, and create a final dance performance. The program also includes excursions to regional alternative arts spaces, galleries, and other off-the-beaten-track arts initiatives devoted to community building, social justice debates, and politics.

Highlights

Develop your skills in photography, creative writing, or dance under the guidance of top Czech artists.
Attend exhibitions, performances, and other cultural events.
Explore the intersection of the arts and social justice issues in Central Europe.
Gain first-hand experience in the Czech cultural scene and its unique community arts initiatives.

Prerequisites

None.

Excursions

Brno & Regional Arts Residency Centers

Excursions include Brno, the historical capital of Moravia, second largest city, and dynamic cultural hub, and artist residencies based in farms, factories, and other historic buildings repurposed to serve local arts and community initiatives. Certain locations are chosen based on activities and opportunities on the cultural calendar in the month of June. These activities provide students with unique and personal opportunities to participate in current events and devote time to their own creative work at one of these artist residency centers.

Please note that SIT will make every effort to maintain its programs as described. To respond to emergent situations, however, SIT may have to change or cancel programs.

Academics

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to:

Explain the tools and mechanisms employed by Czech activists to impact social change through the arts.
Discuss contemporary Czech literature or the Czech dance or visual arts scene.
Create works of literature, photography, or dance for public presentation.
Analyze the ways in which select writers, visual artists, or contemporary dancers reflect and engage current Czech social and political debates.

Read more about Program Learning Outcomes.

Coursework

Access virtual library guide.

The following syllabi are representative of this program. Because courses develop and change over time to take advantage of dynamic learning opportunities, actual course content will vary from term to term.

The syllabi can be useful for students, faculty, and study abroad offices in assessing credit transfer. Read more about credit transfer.

Please expand the sections below to see detailed course information, including course codes, credits, overviews, and syllabi.

Key Topics

Day trips to alternative arts spaces, galleries, and other initiatives devoted to community building and engagement with social justice debates and politics
Discussions with local artists and activists
Creative writing students write under the guidance of a local novelist and read and critique contemporary Czech fiction and poetry
Contemporary dance students develop their work under the guidance of a professional choreographer, attend performances, and learn about trends in the Czech dance scene
Photography students develop their work under the guidance of a professional photographer, attend exhibitions, and study photo methods of select historic and contemporary Czech photographers

Creativity in the Czech Context

Creativity in the Czech Context – syllabus
(EURO/ARTS 3005 / 3 credits)

This seminar explores the intersection of the arts and society through theoretical debates and personal discussions with Czech artists whose work mirrors, provokes, or raises awareness of current debates in the Czech lands around such topics as human rights, the environment and public space, gender equality, and social marginalization. They consider how the roles of Czech artists and civic leaders have transformed in recent years to respond and engage public discourse and analyze individual and community approaches to social change. The Artist & Community, the Artist & Public Space, the Personal is Political are a few of the umbrella themes that inform the students investigation of the role of the artist today.

Three Course Options

Choose one of three courses.

Creative Writing Studio – syllabus
(ARTS 3007 / 3 credits)

This studio is devoted to creative writing practice and an introduction to contemporary Czech literature. Students take part in workshops based on prompts provided by the instructor, and group critiques of their work. They also meet with Czech writers of fiction and poetry to discuss the writing process and ways in which their writing reflects topics such as Czech identity and history and current public debates around politics and social justice. Students keep a journal of field observations and writing exercises and select one work for revision and presentation at a closing literary evening that also includes a discussion of their processes, topics, and inspiration from Czech authors.

Contemporary Dance Studio – syllabus
(ARTS 3006 / 3 credits)

This class is devoted to studio practice in contemporary dance techniques with an emphasis on contact improvisation, understanding the mind, body and voice for individual and group performance work, and working with sound and light. Students take part in intensive studio sessions, attend contemporary dance and alternative theater performances, keep a fieldwork journal and present their work at a performance in a public venue. They also meet with choreographers, dancers and production specialists to gain insights into the local performance scene and the different ways in which dancers engage or contribute to current social justice and political discourse.

Photography Studio – syllabus
(ARTS 3008 / 3 credits)

This class is devoted to practice in experimental photography with an emphasis on techniques with deep roots in Czech visual arts history. Students take part in artist studio or other workshops, visit photographic archives, keep a sketchbook and journal, and present their photography in a public gallery space. They also meet with Czech photographers who work with experimental and multi-media methods, documentary photography or other approaches, and attend visual arts and photography exhibitions.

Housing

Homestay

You will live with families in Prague (both urban and suburban areas) for five weeks to experience the Czech lifestyle, culture, and language. Families are chosen based on their interest in the program theme, and many are affiliated with the Prague arts scene as artists or social activists. Students often cite their homestay experiences in Prague as the highlight of their program, and relationships between host families and students often last long after the program’s conclusion.

Excursion & Orientation Accommodations

Hostels, small hotels, private homes, and arts and NGO centers.

Career Paths

The program is focused on the arts and practicing student artists, but a diversity of students representing different colleges, universities, and disciplines study abroad on this program. Many take on careers that connect back to their experience abroad with SIT. Alumni are currently working:

for museums, visual arts centers, and theater festivals.
for NGOs devoted to social issues and education.
for small presses and literary magazines.
as independent artists, actors and dancers, copy editors, and graphic designers.

Faculty & Staff

Czech Republic: Arts Studios in Creative Writing, Contemporary Dance & Photography

Sarah Brock, MA

Academic Director

View Program Lecturers

Discover the Possibilities

Cost & Scholarships

SIT Study Abroad is committed to ensuring that international education is within reach for all students. We believe in the transformative power of immersive, intercultural experiences and are dedicated to supporting students in their educational journey.
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HEALTH, ACCESS & IDENTITY

A critical step in preparing for your study abroad program is planning how you will maintain your health and wellbeing. Please review the following information carefully and contact [email protected] with any questions or concerns.
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