Art without borders: creative dialogues

On June 4–5, 2026, the Department of Theory and Methods of Teaching Artistic Disciplines of the Faculty of Psychological and Pedagogical Education and Arts at Berdiansk State Pedagogical University hosted the III International Scientific and Practical Conference “Art Without Borders: Creative Dialogues.” The event brought together scholars, educators, representatives of specialized arts education institutions, and students.

The conference aimed to discuss current issues and prospects for the development of arts education, analyze the results of the VIII International Competition-Festival “Spivohrai,” exchange scientific and pedagogical experience in implementing innovative technologies in arts education, and explore their use in developing the spiritual and creative potential of students and pupils. An important objective was also to outline pathways for integrating Ukrainian arts education into the European and global educational space, expanding international cooperation, and identifying new approaches to the professional training of future specialists in the arts.

The conference focused on the following thematic areas:

• Innovations in Teacher Education: Challenges and Prospects – discussion of contemporary trends in modernizing teacher education and implementing innovative approaches and technologies in professional training.
• Professional Training of Future Arts Teachers – examination of current issues related to developing professional competencies, creative potential, and pedagogical mastery.
• Innovative Forms and Methods of Teaching Artistic Disciplines – presentation of modern educational technologies, digital resources, interactive methodologies, and practical experiences of their implementation.
• Various Forms of Art in Shaping a Spiritually and Creatively Developed Personality – exploration of the educational potential of music, dance, theatre, visual arts, and other art forms.
• National and International Experience in Arts Education Development – exchange of scientific and practical achievements, analysis of contemporary models of arts education, and prospects for their implementation in Ukraine.

Within these thematic areas, participants engaged in scientific discussions, research presentations, exchanges of experience, and debates on current issues in arts education.

At the opening of the conference, participants were welcomed by representatives of the university administration and the Department of Theory and Methods of Teaching Artistic Disciplines:

• Hanna Oleksandrivna Aleksandrova, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, Candidate of Philological Sciences, Associate Professor.
• Anzhelika Serhiivna Lesyk, Dean of the Faculty of Psychological and Pedagogical Education and Arts, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Associate Professor.
• Olena Dmytrivna Buzova, Head of the Department of Theory and Methods of Teaching Artistic Disciplines, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Associate Professor.
• Jarosław Haciński, Habilitated Doctor of Musical Arts, Professor, Head of the Department of Music at Pomeranian University in Słupsk (Poland), Editor-in-Chief of the scientific journal Ars Inter Culturas, member of the Arts Education Section of the Polish Academy of Sciences, and board member of the Leo Kestenberg Society in Germany.

In their speeches, they emphasized the importance of such scientific and practical events for the development of arts education, professional communication, and international cooperation. They wished all participants productive work, meaningful discussions, creative inspiration, new professional contacts, and significant achievements in research and educational activities.

The plenary session featured scholars from higher education institutions and research organizations in Ukraine and abroad, including Berdiansk State Pedagogical University, Mykhailo Drahomanov Ukrainian State University, the Ivan Ziaziun Institute of Pedagogical and Adult Education of the National Academy of Educational Sciences of Ukraine, Pomeranian University in Słupsk (Poland), Kherson State University, T. H. Shevchenko National University “Chernihiv Collegium,” Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University, and Vinnytsia Mykhailo Kotsiubynskyi State Pedagogical University.

Their presentations addressed current challenges and prospects for modern arts education, professional training of future arts teachers, implementation of innovative pedagogical technologies, development of creative potential, and preservation and promotion of national cultural heritage in the context of contemporary social challenges.

Among the keynote presentations:

• Liudmyla Pankiv discussed the significance of festival and competition movements during martial law in Ukraine and their role in supporting children’s and youth creativity, preserving cultural traditions, and strengthening artistic communities.
• Oleksandr Lavrinenko presented on humanity and respect in contemporary pedagogical discourse, highlighting communication strategies with wounded military personnel and the use of artistic practices for emotional support and social adaptation.
• Lidiia Lymarenko explored artistic reflections on the loss of Ukraine’s cultural heritage during wartime through student creative projects.
• Mariia Klepar examined the poly-artistic approach to developing a spiritually and creatively enriched personality through vocal, instrumental, theatrical, and folklore activities.
• Tetiana Doroshenko analyzed pedagogical conditions for developing motivation toward scientific research among students of artistic specialties.
• Tetiana Bodrova focused on the methodological training of future music teachers and the practical aspects of their professional preparation.
• Rufina Dobrovolska discussed music therapy as an interdisciplinary field in contemporary Ukrainian arts education and the prospects for training music therapists.
• Hanna Lysak highlighted the role of art therapy technologies in developing the professional self-awareness of future arts teachers.
• Viktor Zamashniuk presented modern technical and software solutions for effective online instruction in musical instrument performance.
• Ruslana Lotsman shared insights into the organization and educational significance of the Ukrainian Song Competition in Barcelona as a means of preserving national identity among Ukrainian children and youth abroad.

Researchers from Kryvyi Rih State Pedagogical University, Volodymyr Vynnychenko Central Ukrainian State University, V. H. Korolenko Poltava National Pedagogical University, and Rivne State University of Humanities also actively participated in discussions and exchanges of professional experience.

Students played an important role in the conference as well. Master’s degree students of the Department of Theory and Methods of Teaching Artistic Disciplines, Olena Kaliberda and Rehina Holkina, delivered presentations and showcased creative projects that demonstrated a high level of academic preparation, professional interest, and creative potential.

We sincerely thank the university administration, faculty leadership, departments, and all participants for their support, cooperation, and contribution to organizing and conducting the III International Scientific and Practical Conference “Art Without Borders: Creative Dialogues.” Through the joint efforts of organizers and participants, the conference became an important platform for professional dialogue, scientific inquiry, and creative collaboration within the artistic and educational community.

Conference recording:

“Spivohrai” Competition Results:

Tetiana Borysivna Stratan-Artyshkova, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor, Professor of the Department of Theory and Methods of Teaching Artistic Disciplines, Berdiansk State Pedagogical University