Prague Quadrennial 2027
Summer 2027 course
FA 3200: Field Studies in Scenography – The Prague Quadrennial
May 3-June 18, 2027
Professors: Betty-Lou Hushlak and Julia Wasilewski
Open to ALL Fine Arts students!
The Prague Quadrennial is the world's largest event for performance design and space. Nicknamed the "Olympics of Scenography", the Prague Quadrennial (PQ) has taken place every four years since 1967.
In June 2027, over 80 countries and 10,000+ people will show up for the ten days that PQ runs, all circling around one big question:
Absences and Silences – what does performance design leave out, hide, or never show – and why does it matter?
You get to bring your questions and leave your mark at PQ. The Department of Drama is participating in the renowned Student Exhibition and you'll be supporting ULethbridge's entry in the Canada Student Exhibition.
This isn't just for Drama students – everyone is welcome
Art student? PQ is installation art on a world-scale.
Cinema student? Put your critical media studies eye to use as you analyze framing, composition and more to live work.
Music/DAA student? Sound design, immersive sound, spatial audio and acoustics are everywhere at PQ.
New Media student? Explore projections, interactive pieces and digital installations as performance design goes high-tech.
Multidisciplinary student? Do we even need to tell you? You want in.
An overview of the Prague Quadrennial
PQ 2027 runs from June 8-17 at the newly-renovated Prague Exhibition Grounds. There, you'll see two major sections:
The big exhibitions
- Exhibitions of countries and regions: this is the flagship exhibit at PQ. Browse more than 60 exhibitions of various countries (including Canada!) showing off their top scenography.
- Student Exhibition: support ULethbridge's student entry, and view student work from schools worldwide.
- PQ 60: a one-time anniversary installation built around what's been left out of PQ's own 60-year history.
Talks, workshops and live performances
- PQ Talks: keynotes, critical conversations – everyone's welcome.
- PQ Studio: hands-on workshops focused on materials, technology and sustainability.
- PQ Performance: live, design-led performances around the grounds and throughout the city.
- PQ Performance Space: repurposed spaces around theatre architecture.
- PQ Publication Cultures: for anyone into writing and critique on theatre and scenography.
An overview of FA 3200
This course will take place in Summer Session I starting May 3, 2027. The course is open to all Fine Arts students with second-year standing, or with instructor approval.
What will I learn?
- This course is about observing, listening, supporting and learning. You'll be observing and listening to other exhibitions at PQ and learning about the culture in Prague and its significant theatre history. You'll also be supporting our student presentation, working with your classmates to make our presentation one to remember.
What's the timeline/itinerary?
- September 8: course applications open
- November 1: course applications close
- November 15: confirm your participation
- December 15: $500 course deposit due
- May 3: course begins
- June 5: travel to Prague
- June 8-17: Prague Quadrennial
- June 18: course ends
How much does it cost?
- We're still figuring out final costs with the ULethbridge International Centre and we'll update this page when we know more.
- We have 12 bursaries of $1,000 available to students who register in this course and complete an application.
Anything else I should know?
- The course is capped at 20 students, so register before it's too late!
- If you don't meet the course requirements but you're interested in participating, reach out to the instructors.
- Info sessions will be planned in Fall 2026 – stay tuned!
- Contact the course instructors with further questions: bettylou.hushlak@uleth.ca and julia.wasilewski@uleth.ca.
Prague, the City of a Hundred Spires, in the heart of Europe
In this course, travelling is a skill you'll be focused on building. You'll be navigating a new city, language, transit system, currency and culture within a supported group context, exploring all of what Prague has to offer.
One of Europe's best-preserved historic cities, Prague is full of theatre history, design and performance. Join us for an Old Town walking tour, visit the National Museum, the National Theatre and the National Gallery, see the Prague Castle and take in the art at DOX and the Museum of Decorative Arts.