On September 9, Rector of SWPS University, Professor Roman Cieślak, and Rector of the Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków, Professor Andrzej Bednarczyk, officially signed a long-term cooperation agreement. This collaboration is designed to foster innovation and growth that will benefit not only both academic communities, but also the broader cultural and socio-economic landscape.
Key initiatives outlined in the agreement include joint artistic and academic events, the development of interdisciplinary research and creative projects, and the establishment of collaborative educational programs. The two universities will also work together on securing national and international grants. Additionally, the agreement encourages collaboration between student organizations and creates opportunities for joint artistic and project teams.
The world is inherently interdisciplinary, therefore, education, science, and art should be as well. At SWPS University, we bring art and science together , create interdisciplinary education, and implement projects that merge many scientific disciplines with art. By sharing ideas, knowledge, and experience across different disciplines and by sharing inspirations and openness, we can, together, explore and understand the complex challenges of today's world and create groundbreaking solutions for the future.
Core academic values such as truth and beauty are complementary — just like science and art. That is why I am thrilled to establish this partnership with the Jan Matejko Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków. Together, we will carry out many significant interdisciplinary artistic, research, and educational projects, benefiting both our academic communities and the broader public, including the residents of Kraków and the Lesser Poland region.
Prof. Roman Cieślak
Rector of SWPS University
This is an excellent time to begin a new partnership. In September, Prof. Andrzej Bednarczyk started his second term as Rector of the Academy of Fine Arts.
Artistic creation, design, and conservation work, as well as transferring creative skills, promoting culture, and preserving heritage, are central to the mission of the Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków. We believe the Academy is a place where diverse — and even mutually exclusive — ideas and means of expression have the right to be voiced. In this vast mosaic, we see cultural and civilizational richness. It is only through this vibrant artistic exchange that we unlock the freedom of expression, along with truth, beauty, and goodness.
As the oldest art university in Poland, we feel it is our responsibility to support those who have more recently taken up the task of shaping the future of Polish culture. We enter this partnership with SWPS University with confidence in the unique perspectives we bring to the table. We are not held back by uncertainties but driven by the hope that our shared efforts will lead to meaningful outcomes that benefit both institutions.
Prof. Andrzej Bednarczyk
Rector of the Jan Matejko Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków
The agreement reaffirms the fundamental values of the Magna Charta Universitatum, such as institutional autonomy, freedom of expression, tolerance of diverse opinions, academic freedom, and dialogue. It also emphasizes the universities’ commitment to addressing the evolving needs of society.
The document was signed in the Senate Hall of the Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków, in the presence of key representatives from both institutions. SWPS University was represented by Dr. Ewa Ger, Director General; Prof. Edward Nęcka, Dean of the Faculty of Psychology in Kraków; Dr. Magdalena Pińczyńska, Dean of the Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies in Kraków; and Anna Popielska-Borys, Operations Director of the Kraków campus. The Academy of Fine Arts was represented by Dr. Agata Kwiatkowska-Lubańska, Vice-Rector for Research and Evaluation, and Monika Wiejaczka, Chancellor.
Since 2022, SWPS University has been expanding its Kraków campus, home to two faculties: the Faculty of Psychology and the Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies. The Faculty of Psychology offers programs in both Polish and English, including a psychology program in English. The Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studiesoffers a diverse range of programs in Polish, including game design, commercial and multimedia design, digital arts, management and Scandinavian studies. In the 2025/2026 academic year, the Krakow campus will move to a prestigious new location in the heart of the city — the historic building, formerly known as the Silesian Seminary.
With over 200 years of history, the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow remains a cornerstone of artistic education in Poland and continues to innovate for the future. With seven faculties, the Academy educates the next generation of artists, designers and art conservators. With state-of-the-art facilities designed to meet the needs of modern education, the Academy ensures students have an inspiring environment to grow. A new building for the Faculty of Graphic Arts and the Faculty of Interior Design was opened last October, and in 2022, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education awarded the Academy a Category A rating in Fine Arts and Art Conservation. In 2023, the Faculty of Industrial Design received the prestigious Education Excellence Certificate. The Academy is also actively engaged in cultural initiatives such as the Open Eyes Art Festival and the International Interior Design Biennial. Students and graduates are regularly recognized for their achievements in national and international competitions, exhibitions, and artistic projects, further highlighting the Academy’s role as a leader in artistic and design education.