Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague

History of the Academy of Arts, Architecture, and Design in Prague

Founded in 1885, the Academy of Applied Arts (AAAD) was the first state art school in Bohemia. Its mission was to train skilled artists for the industry and teachers in applied arts. Initially, it offered disciplines like architecture, painting, sculpture, and textiles. In 1896, it focused more on applied arts, leading to a shift in the faculty staff and the appointment of influential figures like Jan Kotěra and Karel Boromejský Mádl.

At the turn of the 20th century, AAAD became a hub for Art Nouveau, showcasing Czech art at the 1900 World Exhibition in Paris and winning the prestigious Grand Prix. In the interwar era, it embraced Constructivism and Functionalism, fostering the talents of renowned artists like Josef Čapek and Václav Špála. Post-WWII, the academy underwent changes due to communist influence, with handicraft disciplines maintaining their quality. After the Velvet Revolution, it was reorganized into five practical and one theoretical department, showcasing renowned contemporary alumni like Eva Jiřičná, Bořek Šípek, and David Černý.

Architectural Significance

The AAAD building, built in 1882-1885, reflects the influence of art academies in Paris and Vienna. It initially housed only the wing on the Alšově nábřeží embankment, while the other wing was occupied by the Academy of Painting. The academy's unofficial abbreviation, "UMPRUM," is commonly used for both the Academy of Arts, Architecture, and Design and the Museum of Decorative Arts, although it is not an official designation for either institution.