FFA SUMMER SCHOOLS 2026: Summer School of Digital Self-Sufficiency – applications until 14 July 2026
FFA Summer Schools offer an opportunity to spend part of your summer creatively. Through these summer schools, you will learn about artistic techniques, develop your creative skills, and meet interesting people. FFA Summer Schools are open to the general public, beginners with an interest in and passion for art, as well as those interested in future study at art schools, who can familiarize themselves with the FFA environment and use the summer schools as part of their preparation for entrance exams.
SUMMER SCHOOL OF DIGITAL SELF-SUFFICIENCY
Given the alliance between American Big Tech and the Trump administration, digital self-sufficiency is becoming an increasingly urgent issue—one for which we still do not quite have an answer in the European or artistic context. Or do we?
The Summer School is intended for a broad adult audience interested in a democratic internet. During the programme, participants will explore existing alternative web services that do not exploit our data. They will de-google their lives and explore decentralised social networks in the fediverse. They will learn about feminist servers, artist-run data centres, and their services. Participants will install local open-source software, look into permacomputing, and install Linux on an old laptop or smartphone—recycling and giving devices new life. If all goes well, they will set up their own community server or home server, providing web services for themselves, their friends, or anyone on the internet. sudo su!
The Summer School will focus on designing web services for the public, as well as creative forms of resistance against data extraction and surveillance. It is partly a school, partly a hackathon, and partly a self-hosting jam. Think global, serve local. Say no to the tech bro.
Basic information:
Lecturers: MgA. Andreas Gajdošík, MgA. Tomáš Javůrek, Ph.D. (tomaszatoo), BcA. Jakub Svoboda, BcA. Honza Mikulica, BcA. Daniel Gális
Dates: 20–22 July 2026
Scope: 21 teaching hours, daily 10:00–18:00 with a lunch break
Location: FaVU VUT, Údolní Campus, entrance from Úvoz 33, building U1, room 303
Fee: 2,900 CZK, paid to account 111043273/0300, variable symbol 2602012 (please include FaVU/sobestacnost and your name in the note). The fee includes all materials and art supplies.
Applications for the Summer School of Digital Self-Sufficiency must be submitted via the online application form no later than 14 July 2026. Please note that the application becomes binding only after payment of the course fee. A proof of payment must also be uploaded as part of the application.
The online application form is currently available only in Czech. If you have any questions about filling it out, we’d be happy to help—please contact: Barbora.Sediva@vut.cz
Lecturer profiles:
Andy Gajdošík, Daniel Gális, Honza Mikulica, Jakub Svoboda, and Tomáš Javůrek (tomaszatoo) are students and graduates of FaVU who have long been interested in alternative internet services, community-based systems, and digital self-sufficiency.
Andy Gajdošík is a media artist and software developer. In his artistic practice, he focuses on useful art and socially engaged projects that often involve custom software, technology, and provocative interventions. He is interested in copy-far-left software, alternative networks, self-hosting, and veganism. Daniel Gális is a designer, researcher, and developer currently pursuing a master’s degree in the AGDX studio. He is a member of FaVU Label, Center for Collaborative Creation, and ZVUPRO. He focuses on interaction design, web development, sound engineering, and sound design. Honza Mikulica is an intermedia artist working across traditional and new media approaches. His work combines photography, graphic design, objects, installations, and performance. Thematically, he moves from intimate personal experiences and thoughts to reflections on the digital age and the position of contemporary humans within it. Jakub Svoboda is a student and designer currently studying in the Master’s programme in the Graphic Design Studio 1 (AGDX). He focuses on developing open-source tools, the environmental impact of digital media, and DIY hardware in the context of digital self-sufficiency. Tomáš Javůrek (tomaszatoo) is an artist, programmer, researcher, and curator working with digital media, AI/ML, and network systems. His research practice explores the politics of computing through experimental tools, platforms, and exhibitions. In 2023, he successfully completed his PhD at the Faculty of Fine Arts, Brno University of Technology.
Required knowledge:
Interest in a democratic internet, basic computer skills, and willingness to develop technical knowledge. Beginner experience with programming or command line is an advantage but not required.
Cancellation policy:
If you are unable to attend, you may find a substitute participant. If you cancel within 14 days before the start of the Summer School (depending on individual course dates), a cancellation fee of 20% of the total paid amount will be charged. In case of later cancellation, fees are non-refundable. The organiser reserves the right to cancel courses in case of insufficient enrolment. In such a case, the full amount will be refunded.