Second art criticism training program "Krituliai" opens applications

Lithuania is launching the second iteration of its art criticism training program, "Krituliai," inviting applications for aspiring and practicing critics. The program, a joint initiative by the Lithuanian section of the International Association of Art Critics (AICA) and the National Gallery of Art, seeks to bolster the expertise of art critics and cultivate a more robust critical discourse within the country.

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There are no two people who experience a work of art in exactly the same way, but criticism begins where we try to justify and articulate our subjective experience.

Scheduled for September and October, this year's "Krituliai" program will extend its reach beyond the capital, with lectures, meetings, and activities taking place in both Vilnius and Klaipėda. This expansion aims to make the program more accessible and to foster a broader sense of community among participants.

Program leaders Goda Aksamitauskaitė and Jogintė Bučinskaitė emphasize the program's focus on developing critical thinking skills. "Criticism begins where we try to justify and articulate our subjective experience," they stated, highlighting the importance of moving beyond personal feelings to reasoned analysis. The program will guide participants through essential exercises in looking, thinking, evaluating, and articulating their perspectives on art.

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In this training program, we collectively perform essential critical exercises – we learn to look, think, evaluate, and tell in a chosen format. These are particularly important skills not only when thinking about art but also when trying to understand today's world.

Building on the success of its inaugural year, "Krituliai" aims to foster a supportive community where participants can share experiences and diverse viewpoints. Organizers noted that the first season successfully introduced new voices to the art criticism field, with participants becoming more confident in reflecting on exhibitions and art phenomena. This year's participants will engage with visual arts professionals, refine their writing skills, and develop critical content in various formats, including potential video series or podcasts, with final projects to be published across cultural media platforms.

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Last year's experience has shown how important community building, sharing experiences, and different ways of seeing are in this profession.