Radical VR, conceptual artwork, experimental documentary, intermedia performance, soundart. If these words spark your interest, then look no further. You are one of a few students for whom this program is perfect. Join just a few peers (maximum of 6!) in this intimate program designed for boundary-pushing new media artists at one of Europe’s foremost art schools.
You take three core courses in new media, one language class, attend intensive workshops, and enroll in one or two FAMU International electives to meet the recommended 12 to 18 total credits. Your Czech language class is taught by CET, while the remainder of your curriculum is taught by experienced FAMU faculty active in their fields.
You take these three core courses at FAMU:
New Media Individual Mentorship | 1.5 credits
Your background and choice of medium are matched with a FAMU faculty mentor that helps guide your projects, both technically and artistically. You have a weekly 60- to 90-minute one-on-one meeting to improve your technical skills in a particular audiovisual medium or software.
New Media Workshop | 3 credits
During this studio course, you create your semester-long project to be exhibited at a gallery at the end of the semester. This weekly practical workshop meets for five hours each week and allows you and your classmates (CET peers and Czech students) to pursue your own interests and projects in conjunction with a thematic or singular approach to a set of particular media. It also offers a constructive space to engage in discourse related to the works of the class.
New Media History | 3 credits
Study the history of new media from the perspective of the art maker, beginning in the 1940’s through present day. You learn a range of technology histories, how new media fits into the traditional art history canon, and even study the counterparts of technologies—can the same result be achieved with a non-technical solution?
These week-long workshops are held throughout the semester and aim to develop technical skills in a particular area of new media practice. Each workshop differs in contact hours, but you can take up to 48 hours for 3 credits. Past workshops have included:
Many electives at FAMU and CAS are open to CET students. Take one or two 1.5-credit electives to meet the total of 12 to 18 recommended credits. Courses differ each term but past students have taken:
Explore more electives at FAMU International.
You may also substitute one FAMU elective for a CET Prague elective.
You take 20 hours of intensive Czech in the first week, and have reduced class hours after that. Most students are Czech language beginners, but if you’ve taken Czech before, we have a class for you, too. This class is exclusively offered for CET students.
Cutting-edge facilities. This program is housed within FAMU’s Center for Audiovisual Studies (CAS), a small department that affords you and your project a lot of personal attention and artistic freedom. CAS boasts state-of-the-art facilities—a Virtual Reality CAVE environment, cameras, projectors, and a black box theater with a 12 channel sound system and 360 degree projection.
Co-curricular connections. Learn outside of your regularly scheduled classes with lectures and workshops from visiting international artists. And before your elective courses begin, spend a week exploring Prague with different faculty each day. Understand the city’s important art spaces. Dive into the contemporary art scene.
Your faculty mentor. Your faculty mentor is Eric Rosenzveig, an accomplished artist and educator. Learn from him in two of your core courses, New Media Workshop and New Media History. In addition to your New Media Individual Mentorship faculty mentor, Eric also serves as a secondary mentor invested in your experience—guiding you and your final project from concept to finished product.
You create a new media/audiovisual studies project, and that project guides your semester. The sky’s the limit for your project—use biosensors, video, Arduino, or Raspberry Pi. Experiment with open-source software such as Processing, Blender, or Puredata.
Your classes help you create your project. Take in a new perspective from one of many visiting artists. Bounce ideas off your one-on-one mentor. Take theoretical and practical classes in new media, physical computing, interactive narrative, or even multi-channel sound creation. And at your end-of-semester exhibition, see all your hard work in action.
Local Roommates. CET-picked Czech students live in your apartment building to help you acclimate to life in a new country. They also organize a regular “Czech Table” so you can practice your language skills around the city. You might visit the Prague Zoo, sample various Czech desserts, or attend an opera. Learn more about living with a local roommate.
Eating in Prague. For meals, take advantage of the exceptional and affordable food scene in Prague. Try out Czech favorites like chlebíčky (open face sandwich with unique ingredients) and smažený sýr (fried cheese with potatoes and tartar sauce). Grab a treat at one of the city’s farmers markets. Ready for a home-cooked meal? Grab ingredients at the grocery store and have a night in with your roommates. Learn more about accommodating your dietary needs in Prague.
Once class is out, Prague is waiting for you. Enjoy the perks of living in “the world’s greenest city” by reading in the park. Roam the streets and find your favorite view. See a world-class play at one of the city’s many beautiful theaters. Museum hop from the National Gallery to the DOX Center for Contemporary Art, then unwind at a cozy café. Prague has a little something for everybody.
Away from the city. Prague’s central location means easy access to the rest of Europe—but with so many CET-arranged excursions, you may not need to bother leaving. All students visit UNESCO World Heritage site Český Krumlov during orientation. Spend a film-focused long weekend in Berlin, Germany. Get a backlot tour of Babelsburg Studio and visit a film museum. Optional excursions around the Czech Republic help you get to know the country you’re studying in a little bit better. Locations vary from term to term but you might go to Kutná Hora, Jáchymov, Karlovy Vary, or Plzeň.
Jiří Bukovinský
Director of Prague Programs
Kevin Johnson, Ph.D.
Academic Director of Prague Programs
All of your classes and program-related learning are included with your tuition.
A budget for your final project is included with your program fee. No crowd-sourcing necessary.
From pre-departure to orientation, from on site to re-entry, CET provides you with the support you need every step of the way.
You’re provided with a comprehensive insurance plan through GeoBlue that even includes medical evacuation coverage.
The excursions, workshops, and activities that we arrange are included in your tuition. All you need to do is bring your camera.
We guide you step-by-step through the visa process. You do the legwork, but we’ll make sure you have the documentation and information you need, when you need it.
Your textbooks and course supplies are covered and waiting for you on site.
You receive an official transcript jointly issued by CET and FAMU at the end of the term. You also have the option to request a School of Record transcript from the University of Minnesota for an additional fee if necessary.
Local Cost of Living. Relative to the US and other countries in Europe, the cost of living in Prague is considerably more affordable. An average meal typically costs below 10 USD.
Estimated out-of-pocket expenses:
Complete the application through your online CET account. This is a brief form that asks for basic information and has a few short answer questions about why you want to study abroad.
All applicants for the CET at FAMU programs are required to submit a portfolio of visual work that will be reviewed by the Faculty Advisory Committee and factored into the admission decision. Learn more about portfolio requirements and the admissions process.
Upload a scan of your passport to your online CET account. This should be a single scan that includes the signed signature page and the photo/personal details page. Don’t have a passport yet? Let us know and we can help advise you.
Use the link in your online account to send a recommendation request to one of your previous instructors.
This is an online form that your study abroad office completes to let us know you meet the requirements to study abroad. To send the electronic form request, simply enter the name and email address of your study abroad advisor in the designated fields of your online account.
Your online CET account has specific instructions for submitting an official transcript.
Student Services Coordinator
202.349.7322
[email protected]
CET reserves the right to increase quoted charges at any time without prior notification, based on increased instruction costs, exchange rate fluctuation or other cost increases beyond CET’s control.