We are happy to announce the call for applications for the Nida Doctoral School “Tweezers & Squeezers: Methodological Approaches and Research Methods in Art, Design and Architecture” at VAA Nida Art Colony on 21st–26th August 2017. This is the third Nida Doctoral School intensive course for DA and PhD students in art, design, architecture, humanities and the social sciences

Application deadline: 31 March 2017

The third Nida Doctoral School (NDS) will bring together a multidisciplinary group of practice and theory-based doctoral candidates researching different topics in the context of the visual and performing arts, design and architecture, sharing the common goal of completing a doctoral degree, to discuss and develop the methodological framework of their research projects. NDS will provide a platform for dialogue and the exchange of ideas, as well as a space for sharing feedback and peer support. The aim of NDS 2017 is to focus on research methods and on the development of methodological skills and approaches, and to provide critical feedback from distinguished international tutors.
The third NDS will take place on 21-26 August 2017. Each day will include one-hour-long presentations by invited speakers and tutors, followed by one-hour-long discussions. The rest of the day will be dedicated to doctoral student presentations, followed by discussions and feedback (one hour per student). Invited speakers and tutors will act as respondents to the student research development work. The programme will also include slots for individual consultations.
In 2017, NDS has the pleasure to welcome three INVITED SPEAKERS:
- Dr Joanne Morra, Reader in Art History and Theory, curator of the Doctoral Platform at Central Saintt Martins, University of the Arts London, founding principal editor of Journal of Visual Culture;
- Dr Marquard Smith, academic, curator, commissioner, programmer, and Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Visual Culture, currently Programme Leader for the MA Museums & Galleries in Education at UCL Institute of Education;
- Prof Juha Suoranta, social scientist and public intellectual, professor at the University of Tampere, author of ‘Artistic Research Methodology. Narrative, Power and the Public’ (with Mika Hannula and Tere Vadén, 2014), ‘Rebellious Research’ (in Finnish with Sanna, Rynnänen, 2014).
Three TUTORS will guide the students through the course:
- Dr Sofia Pantouvaki, scenographer and Professor of Costume Design at Aalto University;
- Dr Mika Elo, Professor of Artistic Research, Head of Doctoral Programme, Vice-Dean for Research at the University of the Arts Helsinki, Academy of Fine Arts;
- Konstantinas Bogdanas, artist and Associate Professor of Visual Art at Vilnius Academy of Arts.

NAC Academic Board members will also contribute to the course.
There is no tuition fee. Free accommodation and catering are provided for selected applicants from Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture, University of the Arts Helsinki, and Vilnius Academy of Arts. In addition, Aalto and UniArts students are provided with a travel grant. Other participants are expected to cover their accommodation and catering costs, which amount to 300 Eur/person in a double room, and travel costs.

More information about “Tweezers & Squeezers” you can find: http://nidacolony.lt/en/nida-doctoral-school/methodological-approaches-2017

Please download and fill in the NDS application form here: http://nidacolony.lt/en/nida-doctoral-school/methodological-approaches-2017/application-tweezers-and-queezers

Application attachments (motivation letter, CV and portfolio) should be sent to rasa.antanaviciutevda.lt All application documents should be submitted by 31 March 2017. Up to 16 students will be invited to take part on the NDS course.

Nida Doctoral School is an international programme designed and organised by the Nida Art Colony of Vilnius Academy of Arts and Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture, for doctoral students in the visual and performing arts, design and architecture. In 2017, the University of the Arts Helsinki is joining the organisers’ team.
NDS is tailored for doctoral students in the visual and performing arts, design and architecture. However, some limited places are intended for students within the humanities and social sciences, if their research is related to the arts, design and architecture.