About Academy

About Academy

The Latvian Academy of Culture was established on the 29th of December, 1990 by a decision of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Latvia. The Latvian Academy of Culture administers accredited academic Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral study programs and focuses on the preparation of specialists in arts and culture.

In 2020 the Academy has created two international graduate programs – Growth Management and Creative Industry and Cultural Heritage Governance and Communication. Both programs were developed within the framework of the EU Funds in cooperation with Riga Technical University and Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences. The main aim of programs is to promote exchanging of experiences and knowledge and to make students community friendly and hospitable for international students

The Academy is engaged in research and artistic creativity, which are implemented by two Academy departments: the Academy Research Centre and the Centre for Creative Activity.

The main representative and management bodies of the Latvian Academy of Culture are the Constitutional Assembly, the Senate, the Rector, and the Academic Court of Arbitration.

Study Programs 

Bachelor Studies:

• Audiovisual Art
• Stage Acting
• Stage Directing
• Culture and Art Studies
• Sociology and Management Culture 
• Creative Industries
• Intercultural Relations 
• Contemporary Dance
• Drama and Text Studies

Master Studies

• Management of Culture 
• Creative Industries and Growth Management 
• Cultural Heritage Governance and Communication
• Audiovisual and Performing Arts

Doctoral Studies

• Theory of Culture 
• Audiovisual Arts, Theatre and Contemporary Dance

International Cooperation

Since 2018 the Latvian Academy of Culture has become a member organization of the NORTEAS platform and other cooperation communities. NORTEAS is a Nordplus network of Nordic and Baltic Performing Arts institutions in higher education with 17 member organizations. 

NORTEAS encourages students and teachers to seek innovation and new approaches to the already established practices through the exchange of knowledge, experience, and visions on contemporary performing arts and education. The platform’s aim is to network and develop international cooperation and teaching of Theatre and Dance in the Nordic-Baltic area. 

As a member of the PLETA community, the Latvian Academy of Culture can provide professional training and international internship opportunities to the students of theatre art that would not be possible otherwise. The platform also gives an opportunity to evaluate the achievements of the Latvian Academy of Culture in a wider, European context and compare them to other theatre institutions in higher education.