About us

HDK-Valand – Academy of Art and Design, at the University of Gothenburg, conducts education and research in Design, Film, Photography, Fine Art, Crafts and Literary Composition – as well as teacher education in Visual Arts and Sloyd. We also offer a Master's Programme of Fine Arts in Literary Translation.

We provide highly specialised degree programmes in an outgoing, international environment – where our unique and broad range of subjects also enables our students and staff to foster a broader artistic perspective, as well as to explore new working models and research fields.

Together with our sister department – the Academy of Music and Drama – we form the most broad-ranging faculty of arts in Scandinavia.

HDK-Valand – a new department
On the 1st of January 2020, Valand Academy and HDK – Academy of Design and Crafts merged and formed HDK-Valand – a new University department for design and art. This merger will enable the better utilisation of our broad range of subjects, comprising of: Crafts, Design, Film, Fine Art, Literary Composition and Photography, as well as teacher education in Visual Arts and Sloyd. The promotion of even better education, research and outreach will also be facilitated through our newly formed department.

Our goal is the formation of the largest and most broad-ranging arts academy in Scandinavia – which will make our voice stronger in Swedish as well as international contexts, and also attract leading-edge researchers, teachers and students. Together – we will create a dynamic, outgoing, international environment, as well as a solid ground for the promotion of cutting-edge education, research and outreach.