The Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (AMU) is aware of its responsibility for a sustainable future, perceiving sustainable development as a comprehensive societal and cultural process. This challenge transcends merely environmental aspects – it comprises a radical overhaul of values, lifestyles and concepts of the future in which art education and creativity play a unique role.

Technological solutions alone will not suffice for this transformation to succeed – what is required is imagination, creativity and cultural change. We believe that education, art and research play a key role in seeking new ways and forms of coexistence.

As an art university, we are firmly integrated in the broader academic environment which shares the responsibility for sustainable future society. Institutions such as ours have specific responsibility and opportunity to contribute towards transforming values and lifestyles. We are actively involved in interinstitutional cooperation and adopt specific measures, both operational and educational, across our Faculties and buildings.

We at AMU perceive sustainability as a cross-sectional topic present in education and art as well as in everyday operation. Our goal is to inspire environmental and social responsibility through our approach and encourage critical thinking and openness to new opportunities.

AMU Sustainability Strategy

Approved in 2024, our AMU Sustainability Strategy defines commitments and specific steps to contribute towards protecting the climate, managing resources responsibly and fostering social cohesion. The Strategy sets the framework for all AMU sections – ranging from operational measures to educational and art activities. With 2025 underway, we are preparing an implementation plan elaborating on the specific goals and measures.

Our journey towards sustainability is an open and collective process, and we invite our students, teachers, employees and partners to join us in this endeavour.

Show AMU Sustainability Strategy (PDF)

Our commitments

Our sustainability commitments stem from the AMU Sustainability Strategy. This document defines our vision and values along with specific goals and measures through which we intend to contribute towards sustainable transformation at AMU as well as within a broader societal context.

The Strategy structures sustainability into four main pillars which combined to cover its environmental, institutional and social aspects:

• Sustainable and responsible management
  The Strategy includes specific measures for reducing energy and water consumption, efficient waste management and environmentally sound sourcing and facility management respectful of the principles of circularity. We undertake to gradually reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.
• Sustainable artistic and educational activities
  We commit to achieving educational and artistic results that reflect sustainability and equality principles. We support innovating study programmes, preserving cultural heritage and developing sustainable forms of artistic production.
• Social sustainability
  We place emphasis on equal opportunities, mental health, intergenerational cooperation and safe environment without discrimination. We pay attention to matters of working culture, study workload and wellbeing support.
• Third role of the university
  We cultivate AMU’s public role as an active player in society by encouraging a participative approach, connecting with local communities and using art as a means of communication and reflection on environmental and social topics.

These commitments are not static – we will detail, evaluate and update them as part of our implementation plan and annual sustainability reports.

Combining art and sustainability

We believe that art has a transformative potential. It can depict and define the climate crisis, facilitate emotional understanding of its urgency and open room for new opportunities in the future.

We at AMU foster sustainability in everyday operation as well as in artistic and educational practice. We encourage projects that combine environmental topics with theatre, music, dance, film and new media.