![Random Image](["/static/img/random-bg/famu-bg-3.jpeg"])
- FAMU International (FI)
- Department of Directing (KR)
- Department of Documentary Film (KDT)
- Department of Cinematography (KK)
- Department of Editing (KSS)
- Department of Photography (KF)
- Department of Sound (KZT)
- Department of Animated Film (KAT)
- Department of Scriptwriting and Dramaturgy (KSD)
- Center for audiovisual studies (CAS)
- Producing Department (KP)
- Department of Game Design
- Department of Theory and History of Audiovision (KTHA)
- Financial support for FAMU academic personnel and students as part of research and development
- AMU Project Competition
- Student Grant Competition
- Artistic Research
- Fellowship in Artistic Research
- FAMU Student Conference
- Call for FAMU research teams
- The Best FAMU Thesis/Dissertation Award
- Habilitation and professorship proceedings
- Register of Art Output
- The Register of Information on Results (RIV)
- Current and past FAMU grant projects
- Information on science and research
- Schedule of grant opportunities
THE ACADEMY OF PERFORMING ARTS IN PRAGUE (AMU) IS ABOUT TO CELEBRATE ITS 80TH ANNIVERSARY. THE SCHOOL WILL OPEN ITS HERITAGE BUILDINGS TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC IN COOPERATION WITH OPEN HOUSE PRAHA
The Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (AMU) is embarking on the academic year 2025/2026 with the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of its foundation. The first of the planned events is intended for the general public and will offer a unique opportunity to see places that usually remain hidden.
In cooperation with the Open House Praha non-profit, AMU will organise a series of guided tours in its heritage buildings in Prague 1, some of the city’s most valuable architectural and historical sights, in September this year. The tours will focus primarily on the architectural design, urban development and history of the individual buildings. They will offer visitors a new perspective of the places where film, theatre, music and dance arts are taught today and whose stories date back deep into the past.
The tours will be free of charge and are planned for three dates, with three slots for groups of 20 persons maximum scheduled for each date. Reservations need to be made ahead of time using the Open House Praha reservation system at https://www.openhousepraha.cz/ or via a mobile app.
Tour dates:
- 7 September 2025 — Film and TV School, Lažanský Palace, Smetanovo nábřeží 2
- 14 September 2025 — Theatre Faculty and DISK Theatre, Karlova 26
- 21 September 2025 — Music and Dance Faculty, Liechtenstein and Hartig Palaces, Malostranské náměstí 13
“The entire academic year will follow the slogan ‘AMU For Everyone’. We want to open our school to the general public, both figuratively and literally, and remind everyone that its premises are a vibrant part of Prague’s cultural and architectural heritage,” says Rector of AMU Ingeborg Radok Žádná.
At the Film and TV School (FAMU), you can look forward to Lažanský Palace, one of the less appreciated yet extremely valuable architectural gems of the 19th century. This is one of Prague’s latest urban palaces, combining a presentational aristocratic residence with the rental residential and commercial functions in a rather innovative manner. With its corner towers reminiscent of French chateaus, it acts as a proud and cosmopolitan counterpart to its younger neighbour the National Theatre. These days, the palace houses FAMU as well as the Parnas restaurant and the Slavia café that have contributed to the elegant spirit of Prague’s cultural milieu during the 20th century. In fact, Lažanský Palace was home to muses early on in its existence – Bedřich Smetana lived and worked there during the period when he composed his best pieces, including the comic opera Bartered Bride.
The Theatre Faculty (DAMU) compound will offer you a glimpse into an incredible melange of styles and structures dating back to various periods in our history. Medieval cellars, a Baroque palace, refurbished stables, presentational public halls from the National Renaissance period and commercial space all coexist with postmodern tendencies and, more importantly, the vibrant presence of a high-profile art school operating in full swing. DAMU is situated between two key streets that are literally paved with history: in the direction towards Řetězová Street, there is the ancient Kokořovský of Kokořov Palace, neighbouring with the House of the Lords of Kunštát. Adjacent to this is a DAMU wing originally built for the St Wenceslas Savings Bank as well as a relatively modern section situated towards Karlova Street. Reminiscent of a submarine thanks to its postmodern form, the DISK Theatre is located in the centre the entire complex in a former backyard.
The series of guided tours will culminate with a visit to the Music and Dance Faculty (HAMU). Its premises – the Liechtenstein Palace – take up the entire western side of the main section of the Lesser Town Square. As its name indicates, it is associated with some of the crucial developments in our national history – the period after the Battle of Bílá Hora – and also with the ‘bloody viceroy’ Karl of Liechtenstein who ordered the execution of 27 rebellious nobles and burghers found guilty of treason against the Hapsburg family sovereign. The palace witnessed important events throughout its entire existence, which spans centuries back into the middle ages.
* Please note: the tours will be guided in the Czech language.
---------
European theatre luminary to receive AMU’s honorary doctorate
The next key event as part of the celebrations of AMU’s 80th anniversary will be an honorary doctorate ceremony. AMU will bestow its Doctor Honoris Causa degree on Thomas Ostermeier, one of the most prominent personalities of the current European theatre and the director and artistic head of Berlin’s Schaubühne Theatre. The ceremony will be held in Prague on 20 November 2025.
For more than two decades, Thomas Ostermeier has been one of the most distinctive authors shaping the European theatrical landscape. His stagings are regularly featured at the most prestigious theatre festivals and his work has been a major influence on the current approach to directing, dramaturgy and acting. He has built the Schaubühne am Lehniner Platz into an innovative theatre model that marries precise psychological interpretation with current societal topics and offers space for new generations of artists.
With this award, the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague upholds its tradition of appreciating extraordinary personalities of global art whose work resonates within both the Czech and international artistic contexts.
---------
About AMU
The Academy of Performing Arts in Prague was founded 1945 and includes three faculties today: DAMU (theatre), FAMU (film) and HAMU (music and dance). AMU is the largest and oldest art university in the Czech Republic and, in the 80 years of its existence, has raised thousands of prominent personalities of both Czech and international culture.
For more information, visit www.amu.cz
About Open House Praha
The non-profit organisation runs a festival of the same name every spring, opening more than 100 usually inaccessible buildings in Prague to visitors. It also offers guided tours to buildings and the city all year round.
For more information, visit www.openhousepraha.cz
13. August 2025