Simpsons screenwriter, figure skater, scientist or cleaner. What would have happened if the diploma students hadn’t studied art.

VAVŘINEC VYORAL
Looking back after six years of study, the idea that I might have gone in a different direction seems even more distant to me today than it did before. For me, creating is a natural part of life, not just a career choice.

PAVLA BASTLOVÁ
If I hadn’t studied at art school, I wouldn’t be such a hater. Art school taught me to view the world critically.

ENISA SKOKO
Art, but without the status of an AVU student and the opportunity to improve for six years. A full-time job and burnout, compensated by vacations where I spend money from a job I (maybe) hate.

EMA PROSOVÁ
I would have strived to become a writer for The Simpsons so I could undo the damage they’ve done over the last twelve seasons.

FILIP BRANDEJSKÝ
I would have taken up figure skating. I’d love to learn routines, perfect the little details and the beauty of movement. I’d listen to the rhythm, wear a sequinned outfit with fringe, bow to the audience and listen to Prince.

KRISTÝNA CVEJNOVÁ
I’d have a life.

MATĚJ HANUSCH
A doorman at an art school. Or maybe a janitor at an art school. Maybe even a cleaner at an art school. In the worst-case scenario, I’d be the Minister of Culture.

JAKUB HONS
Probably archaeology. But since I was expelled from a secondary school because of math, I ended up in art. Maybe I’d be a gardener too; it’s a nice job.

MARTINA ŠIKULOVÁ
Ever since I was little, I’ve been interested in all living things. Naturally, this led me to scientific and microscopic drawing – I dissected insects and tiny animals and conducted various experiments on them. My fascination with the body and its structures would likely have led me sooner or later to pathology or scientific research.

JÁCHYM ŠIMEK
I’d probably have studied chemistry. It must be amazing to analyse the world through the composition, structure, properties and transformations of substances. Or I’d be an Egyptologist; ancient Egypt has fascinated me since I was a child and that fascination has stayed with me to this day.

EMMA ŠTĚPÁNOVÁ
I’d have probably moved to some island country where I’d spend my time observing rocks, clouds and water while helping to protect wildlife and ecosystems. My lifelong idol, whom I’ve admired since childhood, is David Attenborough. His life’s work and dedication to living creatures around the world are very inspiring to me.

AMÁLIE RYBÁKOVÁ
Before, it would probably have been equations, machines or engineering, but now I’d lean more toward social work, gender studies or ecology.

POLINA REVUNENKO
I considered studying film directing because I’ve always been interested in working with stories, imagery and the viewers’ emotions.

VIKTORIE MAJOBEROVÁ
At my secondary school, I had a wonderful biology teacher who totally shaped my way of thinking about the world and sparked my interest in genetics, medicine, science – and nature in general. The only thing that ultimately decided I would study architecture was the fact that entrance exams for art schools take place earlier than those for other schools.

ŠIMON RYCHLÍK
Outside of art, I’d be interested in sociology and interpreting research for the general public, for example at organisations like PAQ Research or Re-set. I also think about working in film or video game development.

MIROSLAVA MARTINCOVÁ
If I hadn’t gone to art school, I’d probably still be looking for a job that combines patience, manual work and a feel for materials – where I can think through every step and see a meaningful result.

PAVEL GERYK
Probably something involving people; I’m quite fascinated by psychology. When I was little, I wanted to be either a painter or a doctor.

MATĚJ PAVELKA
I would probably have studied special education – I enjoy working with people and facing new challenges. As a teacher, I’m drawn to the diversity and the opportunity to connect multiple disciplines: visual art with pedagogy, social context and reflection on the world around us.

EVE DAVID PATERSON MILLER
If I had not gone to art school, I would have liked to be working in a field connected to art therapy or support work, particularly in relation to dyslexia. I am interested in how visual and non-linear forms of communication can create access where language becomes limiting.

ALEXANDRA SUROVKOVÁ
My interests also include playing games, so I’d be drawn to game design. Alternatively, I would consider one of the humanities. And if none of that worked out, maybe I’d end up streaming Minecraft.

MICHAL ŠEFRÁNEK
I’d probably have stayed at a technical school and completed my architecture degree, but if, later on, the architecture profession had stopped fulfilling me, I’d have considered a career change. Maybe I’d want to be a tram driver or a ski lift operator somewhere in the Alps or the Tatras. These are professions in which I feel peace and simplicity, a certain naturalness in everyday movement. I’m drawn to their ordinariness, rhythm and closeness to the environment – whether urban or mountainous. There’s an idea of a life that unfolds in a beautiful setting, without the need to constantly explain or change it.

MARTIN ŘEZÁČ
I’d probably cook or play sports a lot – or ideally both. Maybe I’d open a brasserie or a convenience store.

MARTIN MLATEČEK
If they hadn’t accepted me into the Academy, I’d probably have tried to earn a living making knives, but I’d still have painted in my free time.

VIKTORIE SOUČKOVÁ
I never thought about going anywhere else.

RADIM BROŽ
Maybe I’d be catching butterflies or hanging around. Hard to say.

VOJTĚCH HLAVÁČEK
I’d probably open a bistro or work in a port. But that doesn’t matter now; I went to art school and I don’t regret a thing.

JIŘÍ GRUBER
If the question is about what I would have studied instead of art school, it would most likely have been a humanities subject. If the question is more about my professional path – it’s hard to imagine exactly what would be different. After all, even in my current situation, my main source of income unfortunately doesn’t come from the arts.

MATĚJ PŠENIČKA
I’ve always been close to art and performance. Personally, I’d probably continue to focus on dance or delve deeper into acting and music.