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1. Acquiring cultural and creative competences through education and training

2. Specialised training for professionals in the education, culture and youth fields

3. Providing quality access to creative environments

Acquiring cultural and creative competences through education and training

In Lithuania, the curricula of all three stages of state school education (primary, basic and secondary) are shaped by the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports. According to the general descriptions of primary, basic and secondary education, the curricula of these stages have to encompass 6, 8 and 7 study fields. The primary education comprises 6 study fields: moral education (religion or ethics), languages (mother tongue and first foreign language), mathematics, natural and social sciences, arts and technologies, physical and health education. The curriculum of basic education comprises the following study fields: moral education (religion or ethics), languages (mother tongue and literature, first and second foreign languages), mathematics (mathematics and informatics), natural sciences (biology, physics, chemistry, etc.), social sciences (history, geography, civil education, economics, entrepreneurship, citizenship), arts (fine arts, music, dance, theatre, and modern arts), technologies (nutrition, textiles, construction materials, electronics, product design and technology, etc.), physical education. Some subjects could be studied at an intensified level. The third stage of education comprises the same study fields as basic education except technologies. 

Subjects of arts, i.e. fine arts, music, dance, theatre, and modern arts are the compulsory part of education at all three stages. The aim of this part of curriculum is the development of general artistic competencies of pupils and their ability to express oneself creatively by means of art, to understand and value artistic creation. The developed artistic competencies should help pupils to make informed and independent decisions about further learning and participation in artistic creation and culture. However, according to the curriculum plans approved by the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports, compulsory subjects in the primary and basic stages of education are only fine arts and music. The schools may offer subjects of dance and theatre depending on their possibilities and the preferences of pupils.

Pupils with artistic abilities can choose to enrol in special arts or music schools that combine general education with specialised artistic education. There are 9 specialised art schools in Lithuania, funded by the state and municipalities: 4 schools specialising in music, 1 specialising in fine arts, 3 schools combining fine arts and music, 1 school combining fine arts, music and ballet.

In 2018, the Lithuanian Ministry of Culture, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport, launched a cultural education measure for schoolchildren called Cultural Pass (Kultūros pasas). The aim of the measure is to improve access to cultural and educational projects and events, develop cultural awareness and experience of schoolchildren by providing appropriate cultural and artistic services (see chapter 6.1 for more about the measure).

Several universities and colleges also conduct programmes in the field of communication closely related to arts and culture, e.g. Media and Communication, Creative communication, Creative Industries, Creative and Culture Industries, Fashion Industry, Political Communication and Journalism, Entertainment and Tourism Industries, Entertainment industries, Integrated Creative Communication, Communication of Creative Society, and Communication and Creative Technologies.

There are also programmes in management and public administration, related to arts and culture, e.g. Art Management, Cultural and Creative Industries Management, Sports and Tourism Management, Culture and Tourism Management, and Culture Management and Culture Policy.

The main high schools of arts education in Lithuania are the Vilnius Academy of Arts (VDA) and the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre (LMTA). VDA has four faculties that are located in different cities of Lithuania – Vilnius, Kaunas, Telšiai and Klaipėda. Each faculty has its own undergraduate and graduate study programmes. According to the data of VDA, in 2019, 1540 students were studying at the Academy in 45 study programmes. The Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre has three faculties; two of them (Faculty of Music and Faculty of Theatre and Film) are located in Vilnius and one in Klaipėda. According to the data of LMTA, its three faculties currently host about 1,000 students in three study cycles – bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral.

Specialised training for professionals in the education, culture and youth fields

The main high schools of arts education in Lithuania are the Vilnius Academy of Arts (VDA) and the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre (LMTA). VDA has four faculties that are located in different cities of Lithuania – Vilnius, Kaunas, Telšiai and Klaipėda. Each faculty has its own undergraduate and graduate study programmes. According to the data of VDA, in 2019, 1540 students were studying at the Academy in 45 study programmes. The Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre has three faculties; two of them (Faculty of Music and Faculty of Theatre and Film) are located in Vilnius and one in Klaipėda. According to the data of LMTA, its three faculties currently host about 1,000 students in three study cycles – bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral.

Providing quality access to creative environments

There are several art incubators established in Lithuania as well as some additional new creative initiatives for youth and general public starting. The biggest part of incubators are situated in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius or its outskirts. Others are located in different Lithuanian cities (e.g. Anyksciu menu inkubatorius). There is an evident growth of artistic and creative sector in the second largest city of Lithuania – Kaunas, that host the new initiatives of art incubation mentioned.

Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VGTU) “LinkMenų  fabrikas”  is a space for young persons who want  to create, develop and implement their ideas. Center workshops and bureaus are designed to be used by creative and innovative people, from beginners to professionals. The aim of this creativity and innovation center is to become a venue for practical workshops and the realization of various projects.  
In collaboration with national and international partners, the center focuses on developing students' creativity and practical skills by inviting them to the first such workshop in Lithuania. VGTU “LinkMenų  fabrikas” contains mechanics, wood, metal, painting, 3D printing, electronics, transport, technical and creative spaces, advertising, photo / video and audio recording studios. It accomodates teamwork, creative inspiration spaces, lounge area and is equipped with the most advanced modern technology, which allows a team of developers working in different areas to turn interdisciplinary ideas to real products and services. Active cooperation with various businesses will allow the best ideas to move beyond the threshold and become real market products.

Menu spaustuve  (Arts Workshop) is creative industries unit based in the Old Town of Vilnius, is collecting different types of independent performing arts projects into one and allows them to share their artistic visions with the audiences. The place is open up also as a performing arts residency. It works as an interdisciplinary centre, as well as a place for foreign shows and performances to happen. International festivals and conferences are held from time to time.

Uzupis Art Incubator (UMI) in Vilnius is the first art incubator in the Baltic States running for more than 10 years. It is the only alternative artistic organization with arts center not only in Vilnius but also in Lithuania. Having experience in the international cooperation with like-minded organizations and centers abroad and using new creative resources to introduce new artistic initiatives, Art Incubator creates and maintains the original and attractive atmosphere which is fully supported and encouraged in many advanced European cities appreciating the importance of the creative industries in the country’s cultural, tourism and economic development.

The Incubator of Architecture in Vilnius aims to gather different artists and their groups as well as the creative businesses together in one creative space, providing better possibilities for creation and presentation of art work, support creative business startups, stimulate society participation in cultural life, take part in the preservation of the cultural heritage. Incubator residents are provided by a competitive rent price, consultations by professional architects, internships and communication.

Audio-visual Arts Industry Incubator was established in 2009 in Vilnius, Lithuania. It was established by three main leaders of Lithuanian cinema education and audio-visual industry – Lithuanian Film Studio, Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre and Vilnius Academy of Arts. This union has required experience needed to help young representatives from the industry gain deeper theoretical and practical knowledge in the field of professional cinematography. Main aim of Audio-visual Arts Industry Incubator is to create modern Educational Film and TV infrastructure for the use of young professionals, students and juniors. Audio-visual Arts Industry Incubator has become become a link between these three different sectors that encourages their collaboration and help them to find their place in the market. Audio-visual Arts Industry Incubator has modern specialized spaces at Lithuanian Film Studio (almost 2000 sq. meters), newest filming equipment, video and sound postproduction stations, sound recording studios, conference and screening halls. With this modern structure Audio-visual Arts Industry Incubator aims to become the biggest educational audio-visual art industry centre in Baltic countries.

RUPERT is a Centre for Art and Education devoted to establishing close cooperation between artists, thinkers, researchers, and other cultural actors through interdisciplinary programs and residencies including young artists. A knowledge-based platform for innovative creative production, Rupert integrates with the social and cultural framework of the city of Vilnius while simultaneously supporting a strong international focus. Rupert’s mission manifests in three distinct but closely-linked channels: first, the EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM offers participants the chance to develop project ideas and make connections with professionals in the field through regular lectures and workshops. It provides the opportunity for collaborative education, forging new international networks. This degreeless, non-academic program is proudly career-oriented and supplemented by its interdisciplinary approach. Rupert offers a RESIDENCY PROGRAM in which the participants develop their individual projects, giving them the opportunity to immerse themselves in Vilnius. Through collaboration, participants will establish fruitful connections with Rupert’s educational program and the artistic sphere of the region. Rupert’s residencies will provide both Lithuanian and foreign participants with the opportunity to live and work in Vilnius for a minimum of 10 weeks. Finally, an unconventional EXHIBITION PROGRAM serves as the basis for a wide range of public programs and activities exploring art and its role in contemporary society. The gallery is conceived as a space of support for the educational program – a laboratory that will complement topics covered by workshops and lectures. Through its research and development-oriented programs, Rupert supports international thinkers in realizing their projects and establishing their creative careers on an international scale. It focuses on contemporary artistic and curatorial practices but remains close to an extensive range of disciplines, while encouraging interdisciplinary projects and activities.

Telsiai town arts incubator was founded according the project funded by the European Union (EU) 2011 – 2013 period funding under the Facility Assistant 2, Improving novice artists and arts-related business within the region Telsiai Award. It aims to mobilize various artists, artist groups and arts-related businesses (creative industry), developing projects in one space; allow artists to create and deliver their work to the audience; help artists to start their own businesses; facilitate the development of arts-related businesses; intensive cooperation in the cultural life; contribute to the maintenance of cultural heritage. Offices in the new building equipped penthouse with computers and software. Performing arts for the second-floor rooms: hall and rehearsal space (theatre, dance school, organize a variety of events, etc.). Clothing design for space with equipment (basic sewing machines, ironing generator, patterning development program dummies). Jewellery centre with equipment (polishing, blasting, rolling and so on. Equipment, fume hood, computerized engraving machine. Wood workshop (with the major woodworking machines, chip removal system). Metal workshop with equipment. Non-ferrous and precious metals casting equipment. Two galleries, furniture, exhibition systems, cabinets, storage facilities. All rented with furniture, internet access, electricity and heating accounts for the lower rates respect the existing market.

Art Incubator of Anyksciai (Anyksciu menu inkubatorius) town provides consultation and mentoring, event planning and organization, gathers, analyses and publicizes information regarding cultural creative industries in the region of Anyksciai, providing residency services, office space rent, other different services related to cultural entrepreneurship.

Culture Factory in Klaipeda city  is the only one incubator in Klaipeda city.

There other new additional initiatives in Kaunas city – a new creative incubator called Talent Garden Kaunas working by a franchise as well as creative design co-work and a prestigious Italian cultural design organization Design Library Milano branch Design Library Kaunas is opened at Kaunas University of Technology, Design Center. These activities are planned to be integrated to an existing KTU business incubator’s structure as well as connecting with Design Library Milano network and a subproject of this organization - design incubator QUO. These initiatives have a real potential of aggregating creative community in the second bigger city of Lithuania Kaunas. The mentioned initiatives are coming from the evident need of contemporary and innovative design co-work and hub places that is defined in the market among present creative community target group - young artists, designers, ICT freelancers, graduates form Kaunas University of Technology, Vilnius academy of fine arts, Kaunas Faculty.

The KTU Design Center‘s activities have already started with some projects such as design contest „Dideja – design idea“ that is aimed to help young designers realize their ideas, by mentoring and connecting them with local producers as well as showing themselves abroad by collaborating with foreign partners.