About MenArt

OUR STORY

We at MenART are incurably and irrevocably infected with a lifelong obsession with art. We want to help create conditions so that established labels do not discourage those who can see beyond the usual limits or do not fit into them. It is often these people who succeed in moving the entire field forward. Among us are educated teachers with a passion and belief in the field, educated artists, and economists. Last but not least, we are parents.

We established the MenART scholarship program in 2018 under the auspices of the Magdalena Kožená Foundation, together with the creation of the ZUŠ OPEN festival. The central idea was to provide sensitive and appropriate support to gifted pupils and students in the early stages of their development—in elementary art schools. Over time, however, this goal has grown significantly. We discovered that their teachers also need equally important support – whether in the form of simple meetings with each other as part of their joint work, consultations with leading experts, or in the area of methodology for working with gifted pupils, techniques and technologies... The program has grown into an independent academy, which has been accredited by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports as part of continuing education for teaching staff.

Over the past seven years, 881 students and 556 teachers from 425 schools across all regions of the Czech Republic have passed through the MenART Academy. Many scholarship recipients have achieved excellent results in entrance exams to art schools in the Czech Republic and abroad, continuing on their artistic path and also enjoying success on competition stages. Scholarship recipients not only have the opportunity to gain experience from masters in their field, but also to perform at prestigious festivals. Our largest music festivals, Prague Spring and Smetana's Litomyšl, as well as Smetana's Visual Arts Litomyšl, offer exceptional opportunities to support the youngest generation in their programs. Young talents are also presented and the importance and contribution of arts education is wonderfully highlighted by the nationwide ZUŠ OPEN festival.

We think about the future direction every day and are grateful for the moments we experience at MenART. We would like to thank everyone who supports our idea.

Take a look at how things work here. The video captures the atmosphere from the opening of the sixth annual event. 

MENART'S GOAL

The purpose of the MenART Scholarship Academy is to seek out and develop young talent, as well as to support and inspire the teachers who devote themselves to their education. We connect artistic practice and education, inspiring the exchange of experiences and the establishment of connections that are important for further creative or pedagogical activities within the framework of modern approaches to arts education.

WHO IS MENART FOR?

MenART is for students and teachers who need to clarify their vision, seek inspiration, and gain ideas for further education.

MenART is for those who love art and want to get under its skin.

MenART is about gaining practical experience and working on yourself.

MenART works with student-teacher pairs.

MenART connects schools at various levels, as well as students, teachers, professionals, and professional institutions. As part of the Academy's working meetings, we collaborate with the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague, UMPRUM, and other universities (ČVUT, TUL, UJEP...) according to the specifics of each group.

A year in the life of a budding artist is like a century in terms of learning the right techniques, attitudes, and habits, which is why MenART is an extraordinary opportunity to move forward.

We accept pupils and students from elementary art schools, secondary schools, and high schools, but always in tandem with a teacher.

The MenART program provides scholarships. It can also be included in templates as part of the continuing education system for teaching staff.

MENART+

Due to high demand, we are now offering one-day courses and mentor consultations as part of MenART+ for unsuccessful applicants. Follow our news.

WHAT WE OFFER

• MenART offers a student-teacher pair (or, depending on the field, a group of students and a teacher) a scholarship for one school year as part of a comprehensive program of cooperation with mentors who are prominent figures in our art scene.
• The students are selected for the program by the participating artists – mentors – on the basis of submitted applications with samples of work, a letter of motivation, and a recommendation from a teacher.
• The scholarship takes the form of reimbursement for four to six intensive working meetings with a mentor (depending on the field) and the realization of final outputs and presentations in individual fields.
• The first group meeting lasts three days, while the others throughout the year take place over the course of a single day.
• Under the guidance of mentors, the groups work together, sharing experiences, approaches, techniques, and mutual progress. However, emphasis is placed on the individual approach and needs of each participant.
• Each student/group-teacher pair receives personal recommendations from the mentor for their future artistic activities and a certificate of completion of the annual program. Last but not least, they also have the opportunity to present their work in public presentations of their class.

OPPORTUNITIES MENART SCHOLARSHIP ACADEMY

We regularly present the results of our year-round work in collaboration with established festivals such as Prague Spring, Smetana's Litomyšl, and Smetana's Artistic Litomyšl. They are also presented as part of key projects of the nationwide ZUŠ Open festival.

MENART ACADEMY PRINCIPLES

• MenART is a non-competitive study environment focused on developing students' talents. Key principles include respect for each participant's different stage of development, specific personality, age, and previous experience. The opportunity to hear, see, and perceive others is a chance to become aware of one's own path and goals.

• MenART does not primarily aim to become a platform exclusively for future art professionals. In line with its motto, "Inspirational encounters are essential in life," it believes that the opportunity to work regularly and systematically with outstanding artistic personalities can have a profound impact on young art students, not only in terms of their potential careers, but also in other areas of their lives and development.
• MenART honors the exceptional role of the teacher, who is a key figure in the development of young artistic personalities. In line with its motto, "Behind every successful artist stands an enlightened teacher," it aims to support teachers in their work with gifted students and in their profession, to strengthen their self-confidence and respect in the art education environment, and to inspire them in their further teaching work.
• The key attributes of MenART are an atmosphere of trust, safe and friendly sharing of experiences, and a shared passion.