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Higher arts education today spans the length and breadth of what it means to be human. Arts educators and students are expected to engage in creative discovery and personal and professional transformation, all channelled through inspiring, brave spaces and pedagogies of care. But sometimes life gets in the way – or does it?
ELIA Academy 2025 invites you on a three-day exploration of what we mean by Life-Integrated Learning – a concept that extends work-integrated learning to encompass the physical, emotional, environmental, societal, technological, and political dimensions we face in our daily lives. Together, we examine how our individual and collective experiences can be integrated into teaching and learning practices.
Hosted by Kristiania University of Applied Sciences in Oslo, Norway, ELIA Academy 2025 provides a supportive environment underpinned by positivity, where arts practitioners, technicians, students, and educators are encouraged to be curious, open to thought-provoking pedagogies and methodologies, bubbling works-in-progress, and the invaluable feedback of their international peers.
As guiding lights for each other, we aim to discover new alternatives. We investigate the nature of the ties that connect us within our institutions, across artistic disciplines, and to industries and sectors beyond. We ask how generational knowledge, and diverse perspectives can build resilience and empower arts students to face the unknown with confidence. Through Life-Integrated Learning, we hope to illuminate new ways forward, transforming ourselves, our students, and our communities.
Main venues: Kristiania's School of Arts, Design, and Media: Fjerdingen premises, Chr. Krohgs gate 32 & Urtegata premises, Urtegata 9
The first day brings participants to Oslo and its communities, immersing them in the local context and everyday life. Starting with an opening contribution by a local community, participants will then have the chance to explore what life-integrated learning means from different perspectives.
Main venues: Kristiania's School of Arts, Design, and Media: Fjerdingen premises, Chr. Krohgs gate 32 & Urtegata premises, Urtegata 9
A dynamic day filled with interactive workshops, thought-provoking discussions, and collaborative explorations. Engage with peers, exchange ideas, and gain fresh insights while discovering the local environment through the eyes of students—offering a unique, immersive perspective on learning in action.
From individual passes to institutional packages, the ELIA Academy fee structure offers a variety of ways to participate. The institutional package is ideal for staff, teams, and students who want to join remotely while also allowing two representatives to attend in person in Oslo. Choose the option that best suits your needs.
For any questions regarding the registration and pricing, please contact ELIA Conference Manager Janja Škerget.
INDIVIDUAL PASS
€390
1 in-person participant from an ELIA member institution
Access to all sessions
All event materials
Networking opportunities
Community moments (online)
Coffee breaks and snacks for 1 participant
Three lunches, one dinner and a reception for 1 participant
Access to all social activities for 1 participant
ELIA Team support
Event app
INSTITUTION PACKAGE
€750
Two in-person participants + unlimited number of online participants from an ELIA member institution
Access to all sessions for 2 participants
All event materials
Networking opportunities (online + in-person)
Community moments (online)
Coffee breaks and snacks for 2 participants
Three lunches, one dinner and a reception for 2 participants
Access to all social activities for 2 participants
ELIA Team support
Event app
Unlimited access to live streaming + recordings of hybrid sessions
Registrations are now closed.
Host institution
Kristiania University of Applied Sciences is one of the oldest private higher education institutions in Norway, established by Ernst G. Mortensen in 1914 as Norway’s first correspondence school, «Norsk Korrespondanseskole» (NKS). In its first year, NKS had 125 students; 15 years later, it had 9,000, and during the Second World War, it had more than 50,000 students. By 2022, Kristiania had over 16,000 students and 689 employees. Kristiania University of Applied Sciences’ social responsibility is to offer study programmes and courses at various levels of education, tailored to individuals with different qualifications, abilities, and opportunities. Kristiania aims to educate candidates who will contribute expertise to both the public and private sectors. Kristiania strives to provide research-based knowledge, competence, and practical learning for innovation and value creation.
Plenary contributors
Nordic Black Theatre is an independent, inclusive cultural institution established in 1992, located in Grønland – a diverse and vibrant area that mirrors Oslo’s population.
The theatre produces performances, concerts, and events that spotlight new voices, engage with social issues, and build cultural bridges. With a wide range of artistic expression and strong community ties, it creates space for reflection, dialogue, and connection.
A key focus is Nordic Black Xpress – a two-year, practice-based theatre education offering young talents from diverse backgrounds a professional, inclusive pathway into the performing arts. Combining intensive training and production work, it serves as a vital recruitment platform for Norwegian theatre.
Through artist residencies and local and international collaborations, Nordic Black Theatre promotes inclusion and representation in cultural life. Low ticket prices, free events, and accessibility reflect its deep social commitment and strong local roots.
Practical information
Main venues: Kristiania’s School of Arts, Design, and Media at Fjerdingen and Urtegata (Oslo, Norway).
With its 1,600 students and 100 full-time equivalent academic positions, Kristiania’s School of Arts, Design, and Media is the largest creative and arts-related institution at the university and college level in Norway.
At the facilities in Urtegata 9, you will find dance studios, theater stages, sound studios, and editing rooms, and more. See all facilities here.
Hotels
ELIA has made pre-bookings for participants at several hotels within walking distance or a short public transport ride from the main venues. Participants of ELIA Academy 2025 are encouraged to book their accommodation in Oslo as soon as possible. All recommended hotels are taking ecological steps to improve their sustainability and offer more environmentally friendly options.
You can find a list of hotel options and booking information here.
There are direct ferry connections year-round between Oslo and Kiel (Germany), as well as Copenhagen and Frederikshavn (Denmark). Oslo’s port is close to many attractions, making the city a popular destination for many cruise ships. Hurtigruten offers two trips along the Norwegian coast, starting from Oslo.
Travelling by train offers many advantages: it is comfortable, environmentally friendly, and relaxing. You can even enjoy some of the natural beauty of Norway along the way.
Both international and national train lines arrive at Oslo Central Station, located in the heart of Oslo city centre. Local trains and some regional services also stop at Nationaltheatret station, Skøyen station, and Lysaker station.
Approximate travel times by train:
- Bergen-Oslo: 7 hours
- Trondheim-Oslo: 6,5 hours
- Stockholm-Oslo: 4,5-5 hours
- Gothenbrug-Oslo: 4 hours
- Oslo Airport Gardermoen-Oslo Central Station: 20 minutes
Express coach services offer a more affordable, yet still comfortable and flexible alternative to plane or train travel.
Coaches from both Norway and abroad arrive at Oslo Bussterminal in Oslo city centre. The bus terminal is situated at the largest public transportation hub in the city, making it easy to travel onward to your destination.
There are direct flights to Oslo from most major cities in Europe. There are two airports in the greater Oslo area:
1) Oslo Airport is located at Gardermoen, approximately 50 km northeast of the city. IATA airport code: OSL.
- Trains to/from Oslo Airport: The Flytoget Airport Express Train departs from Oslo Central Station and Oslo Airport every 10 minutes during the day, and every 20 minutes early in the morning, late at night, on weekends, and during school holidays. The journey takes about 20 minutes. Find more information at https://flytoget.no/en/.
2) Torp Sandefjord Airport is located approximately 110 km southwest of Oslo, in Vestfold county. It offers direct routes to over 30 international destinations and major cities in Norway. IATA airport code: TRF.
- Trains to/from Torp Sandefjorf Airport: Vy, the Norwegian national train operator, offers one service per hour between Torp and Oslo. The journey takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. A shuttle bus operates between Torp railway station and the airport, synchronised with the train schedule. A ticket for the shuttle bus costs 35 NOK. Find more information at https://www.vy.no/en.
- Buses to/from Torp Sandefjorf Airport: The Torp Express bus service aligns with most international flights at Torp. Buses arrive and depart from Oslo Bus Terminal. Travel time is about 1 and a half to 2 hours. Find more information here.
Getting around Oslo
The Oslo Central Station and Oslo International Airport (Oslo Gardermoen) are connected with the direct train line FLY1 operating every ten minutes. For more information on transport between the airport and the city centre, please visit Oslo Airport Transportation.
We recommend exploring the beautiful city centre of Oslo on foot. Oslo also has a very efficient public transport system, including metro lines, trams, buses, and trains, which can take you to all parts of the city. The primary transport company is Ruter. More information about the public transport tickets can be found here.
Other Information
More information about Oslo can be found at the following sites:
The main venues of the ELIA Academy are accessible for guests with reduced mobility.
If you have specific accessibility needs (e.g., transport assistance, support from a staff member, or a printed programme in large print) or need assistance with event registration (including registering an assistant accompanying you), please contact us at janja.skerget@elia-artschools.org.
EDI Statement
ELIA and the host institution are dedicated to hosting events that prioritise equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. We have worked together with our host, Kristiania University of Applied Sciences, to make this event a safer and more accessible space for all.
Should you have any specific accessibility needs (such as transportation assistance, support from a staff member, or a large-print programme), or if you need help registering for the event and/or registering an assistant to accompany you, please contact the ELIA Team so we can ensure this event is inclusive and accessible to you. A quiet room will be available during the ELIA Academy for participants who may benefit from a low-stimulation environment.
All our events have a support system in place. If you witness any harassment or discriminatory behaviour during the event, please contact a member of the team or call or send a message: {+31 650401938}. This phone line will be monitored for the duration of the event.
If you prefer to make an anonymous report, please use this online form here.
We value any feedback you may have on how inclusive and accessible you find this event. You can submit your feedback in the event evaluation report that will be disseminated after the event. Your honesty is appreciated and will help us to understand how to improve the inclusivity and accessibility of our future events. All feedback will be collected anonymously.
Additionally, we warmly invite you to contact us if you wish to talk in greater detail about the inclusivity and accessibility of our events. For this, you can reach out to ELIA Community Manager, Amalia Smyrnioti at amalia.smyrnioti@elia-artschools.org.
Ecological responsibility
ELIA and Kristiania University of Applied Sciences recognise that large international conferences can have a negative environmental impact due to participant travel and the event’s overall footprint (e.g., consumption and waste). To reduce the environmental impact of the ELIA Academy, both ELIA and Kristiania University of Applied Sciences will make greener choices in organising the conference and encourage participants to join us in this effort!
ELIA and Kristiania University of Applied Sciences consider sustainability a key priority, and several measures have been implemented to minimise the meeting's environmental and climate impact:
ACCOMMODATION: All recommended hotels are easily accessible from the conference venue, either on foot or by a short public transport ride. These hotels are taking ecological steps to enhance their services and make them more environmentally friendly.
TRAVEL: Participants are encouraged to travel to Oslo by train or ferry, if possible, or to make other sustainable travel arrangements. If flying is necessary, consider a direct flight (if available), as it has lower carbon emissions than a flight with a transfer. For travel within Oslo, walking, cycling, or public transportation are recommended.
FOOD & DRINKS: Catering at the event has been selected based on sustainability criteria and will include local, seasonal, and/or vegetarian options. Participants are encouraged to bring their own reusable water bottles.
MATERIALS: Printed materials and giveaways will be kept to a minimum. During registration, please indicate if you require a printed programme (large print is available). Participants are encouraged to bring their own (tote) bags to carry conference materials, as tote bags will not be provided at the venue.
AWARENESS: To raise awareness about environmental sustainability, we will communicate our sustainable actions to our suppliers and partners. Before, during, and after the conference, we will engage with participants to foster dialogue and co-create a more sustainable event.
ELIA and Kristiania University of Applied Sciences are aligning the Academy’s sustainability efforts with the SHIFT Eco-Guidelines for Networks.
