The Art Academy of Latvia () is a higher education and scientific research institution in art, located in Riga, Latvia. The neo-Gothic brick building is located on Krià ¡jÃÂnis ValdemÃÂrs Street, next to the National Museum of Art.
In autumn 2021, the LMA, together with the University of Lapland in Finland, planned to enroll students in the two-year international master's program "Service Design Strategies and Innovation". The study process will take place internationally both in Kuldëga and Rovaniemi, Finland.
One of the most impressive architecural pearls of the Riga city - the Art Academy of Latvia was designed and created by the famous "architect and art historian Wilhelm Bokslaff (1858-1945)", while another prominent Latvian architect August Voltz was "the author of the sand stone columt chapiters and other sculptural parts" . The building was established in 1902 and finished in 1905 . One of the most precious elements of the building are the huge stained glass windows designed with Art Nouveau motifs and provided by E.Tode. Initially it carried the name of Commercial School of the Stock Exchange and functioned as business school.
The Art Academy was founded in 1919 by the world known Latvian painter and "the first rector of the Academy Vilhelms Purvëtis (1872-1945)". The origins of the academy date back to May 4, 1919, when the Soviet Latvian government published a report regarding the opening of a "proletarian art workshop." The term "academy" was initially avoided as it was seen as a symbol of the old, conservative regime. However, following the fall of the Soviet government, the Provisional Government of Latvia formally decided to establish the Art Academy of Latvia on August 20, 1919.
The founding faculty included prominent Latvian artists such as Vilhelms Purvëtis, Teodors Zaükalns, Rihards Zarià Âà ¡, and JÃÂnis Kuga. The academy was officially inaugurated on October 12, 1921. After initially operating on Kronvalda Boulevard, it moved to Gogoüa Street 3 in 1922. The first constitution (Satversme) was adopted by the Saeima on February 7, 1924, and proclaimed by President JÃÂnis ÃÂakste. Between 1921 and 1940, the academy produced 229 graduates.
Following the Soviet occupation of Latvia in 1940, the institution was renamed the State Art Academy. In 1944, it became the State Art Academy of the Latvian SSR. During the Soviet era, the academy's administrative oversight shifted frequently between the Ministry of Culture and various state committees for higher education.
From 1973 to 1988, the institution was named the <nowiki>Teodors Zaükalns State Art Academy of the Latvian SSR</nowiki> in honor of the sculptor and former faculty member.
The Academy has 5 faculties:
The Academy has a branch in Latgale located in RÃÂzekne.