Following years of dedicated advocacy by the Catalan Association of Glass Arts (ACAV) and local artisans, a formal, state-recognised educational pathway for glass art has now been established in Catalonia. This is an important step forward for the wider European craft sector, as regulated education is essential for preserving, developing, and professionalising highly specialised heritage skills.
The new Higher Vocational Training Cycle in Glass Arts will begin in September 2026 at the Escola d’Art i Superior de Disseny Llotja in Barcelona. The course lasts two academic years and includes a total of 1,950 hours of instruction. The curriculum focuses strongly on warm glass and closed kiln techniques, with particular attention to casting, fusing, and thermoforming.
To ensure students are well prepared for professional practice, the programme combines classroom learning with hands-on studio experience. It includes 135 hours of practical placements in professional workshops. By the end of the course, graduates will be able to design and create original glass artworks, as well as manage workshop production, quality control, and safety standards.
Pre-registration will open during the final week of May 2026, and the course will only run if enough students enrol. ACAV encourages makers and institutions across the sector to help share information about the programme with potential students. They also invite professionals to take part by offering to host future apprentices in their studios.
photo: Arts del Vidre; Dolors Rosell