Director’s word

Over the past few years, the Valais School of Art (EDHEA) has undergone a profound transformation to provide students with cutting-edge training and tools in fine arts, sound arts, and graphic design.

Our Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes in Fine Arts place the emphasis on artistic practice, which is the cornerstone of courses at universities of applied sciences and arts. Students benefit from the expertise of dedicated teaching staff who are also active artists, offering a dynamic and contemporary learning environment. Combined with our ideal location in the heart of the Swiss Alps yet close to major urban centres, the EDHEA provides a unique and inspiring place to study.
The Bachelor's degree in Sound Arts, the only programme of its kind in French-speaking Switzerland, combines technical, theoretical, and artistic knowledge. It fosters interdisciplinary collaboration with music, performing arts, and engineering. The consecutive Master of Arts in Public Spheres + Sound (MAPS+S) offers students a seamless academic journey.
Our Foundation Year prepares students for the admission exams at schools of art and design in fields such as fine arts, visual communication, illustration, animation, sound, and film. It combines theory and practice, with a focus on experimentation and personal projects. The second semester is dedicated to portfolio development and a publication project.

The EDHEA was commissioned by the Canton of Valais to offer a nationally recognised Graphic Design programme. Developed in close collaboration with local partners, this course equips students with valuable professional experience. One-third of graduates pursue further education, while the majority transition directly into the creative industry.
The Institute of Visual Arts explores the intersection of art and science through historical, contemporary and epistemological lenses. Its research focuses on sound, archives and heritage, and the reimagining of architecture through ecology, design, and pedagogy.

A modern campus is currently taking shape near Sierre station, on the site of the former Usego warehouses. Opening in 2027, this building will offer students an exceptional space for contemporary creation while preserving the EDHEA's human-scale spirit, which is ideal for collaboration and the emergence of projects.

Jean-Paul Felley