The Janáček Academy of Performing Arts has had a fruitful history of more than seventy years, which has shaped several generations of outstanding artists – composers, conductors, directors, actors, singers, instrumentalists and other artistic professions in the field of dramatic and musical arts. Its establishment marked the culmination of Leoš Janáček’s long-standing efforts to establish a university of the arts in the country’s second largest city.

Nowadays JAMU has significant artistic potential. This is enhanced by a number of activities that go beyond the school and the state. The quality of our students and graduates is evidenced by the fact that they have been accepted for internships at a number of top foreign schools, are leading personalities of Czech theatre and audiovisual and radio production, are successful in the field of performance competitions and auditions, are among the creators of today’s prestigious cultural events and many of them find their jobs abroad.

The school has undergone significant transformation and innovation in teaching over the past three decades, as well as the accreditation of many new fields of study. Today, the Janáček Academy of Performing Arts is a modern open university that achieves excellence in many areas and makes a significant artistic contribution to the quality, cultivation and further development of the musical and dramatic arts in the Czech Republic.

The JAMU has a number of nationally and internationally renowned teachers and every year hosts dozens of outstanding foreign artists who contribute significantly to the innovation of teaching. A number of events held at the Faculty of Theatre and Music contribute significantly to the cultural life of Brno and the South Moravian Region. In particular, the SETKÁNÍ/ ENCOUNTER festival, which is held at the Faculty of Theatre, as well as the International Performance Courses and the now European renowned Leoš Janáček International Competition in Brno, which are organised by the Faculty of Music, have a significant international reputation and participation.

Prof. PhDr. Ludvík Kundera (1948-1961)

Prof. František Kudláček (1961-1962; 1969-1972)

Prof. PhDr. Josef Burjanek, CSc. (1962-1969; 1973-1976)

Prof. František Šolc (Acting Rector 1972-1973; 1976-1987)

Prof. PhDr. Vladimír Hudec, CSc. (1987-1990)

Prof. Alena Stepánková-Veselá (1990-1997)

Prof. Alois Hajda (1997-2003)

Prof. PhDr. Václav Cejpek (2003-2010)

Prof. Ing. MgA. Ivo Medek, Ph.D. (2010-2018)

Prof. Mgr. Petr Oslzlý (2018 – 2022)

MgA. Petr Michálek (from 2022)