Last Update: 29 January 2025

Table of Contents

Symposium 101

What is the Urban Sketchers International Symposium?

The Urban Sketchers International Symposium is an annual educational event organized by Urban Sketchers (USk), a nonprofit dedicated to fostering the practice of on-location observational sketching.  The goal of the Symposium is to celebrate and practice the art of on-location sketching in the host city. Each symposium offers valuable field-sketching instruction and opportunities for participants to meet new friends and learn more skills. Following our spirit of “sharing the world, one drawing at a time,” we aim to bring the Symposium to new cities and countries every year.

What happens in a Symposium?

Every Symposium is different as each host city offers different learning opportunities and experiences that are very unique to that city. Symposiums have an opening reception and a closing event for participants to meet other sketchers. Depending on types of Passes, the activities vary. Workshops, Demos and Activities, Lectures, and Sketchwalks are spread over the event. At the venue there is an Art Supplies Market which is open to the public. It features art tools, books and materials from different local and international suppliers. There is also a Silent Auction, a Raffle Draw, and daily Drink and Draw sessions.

Please see the Glossary for more information on activities.

Past Symposiums

There have been 12 Symposiums so far: Portland (2010), Lisbon (2011), Santo Domingo (2012), Barcelona (2013), Paraty (2014), Singapore (2015), Manchester (2016), Chicago (2017), Porto (2018), Amsterdam (2019), Auckland (2023), and Buenos Aires(2024). Hong Kong was supposed to host in 2020. Due to the pandemic, it was postponed. 

The 13th Urban Sketchers International Symposium is going to be held in Poznań, Poland in 2024!

For more information on Urban Sketchers Symposiums, visit https://urbansketchers.org/usk-symposium/

About The Event

When and where is the next Urban Sketchers International Symposium?

The 13th International Urban Sketchers Symposium will be held in Poznań, Poland from 20-23 August 2025.

Why Poznań?

Poznań is a gem of a city in Poland, steeped in history since its founding in the 13th century. This city of over half a million people is one of the bigger cities in the country, known for its Gothic and Renaissance-style buildings in the old town. With its iconic landmarks, two castles, modern architecture, and lush green spaces, there’s inspiration around every corner. Poznań is well connected to other European cities with trains and flights. And let’s not forget about the food and warm hospitality of our residents!

Where is the main venue for the Symposium?

Novotel Poznań Centrum will serve as the main venue for the Urban Sketchers Symposium, offering an ideal base for participants. Situated in the heart of Poznań, this modern venue is just a short walk from key attractions, including the Old Market Square, Stary Browar shopping and cultural center, and the historic Royal Castle. With excellent public transport links and being only 15 minutes from the Poznań Główny train station, the location provides easy access for both local and international attendees.

Novotel Poznan Centrum

pl. Andersa 1
61-894 POZNAN
Poland

GPS:52.401458, 16.924302

Click HERE to see a map of the area. 

Check out a list of accommodation recommendations from our Local Symposium Team HERE.

Photo credit www.allaccor.com
Where can I get news or updates on the Symposium?

To stay abreast with Symposium news, check 

Symposium Webpage
https://urbansketchers.org/usk-symposium-poznan-2025

Symposium Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/usksymposium/

Symposium FB Travel Hub group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/usksymposiumhub

What are the official hashtags?

The official hashtags are #USkPoznan2025 and #USkSymposium2025. To stay in the loop, follow the hashtags on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube to access the latest updates, posts and sketches from the event.

Schedule and Programming

When will the faculty lineup be released?

The faculty lineup will be released on 10 February 2025.

When will the Symposium programming and schedule be revealed?

A detailed online Symposium programming and schedule will be released on 8 March 2025. Stay tuned. 

Registration

When does Symposium registration start?

Symposium registration and workshops selection will be on 15 March 2025 noon / 12 pm CET Poznan, Poland time on Eventbrite. There is no Early Bird Registration. 

Check your local time HERE.

Click to enlarge

Sign up for an Eventbrite account. It’s free. Follow Urban Sketchers  to be notified when the event goes live. 

Register with a laptop or a desktop computer. Mobile phones or tablets are not recommended.

To expedite the process, have all your information entered with your Eventbrite user account, including personal and payment information.

The only way to add a saved credit/debit card to your Eventbrite account is to select the option to “Save payment details” when registering for an event.

Eligibility

Are there ID or minimum age requirements to enter the event?

Participants must be at least 18 years of age at the time of the event. Participants under 18 years must attend with a guardian or receive special dispensation from the Organizers. Contact symposium@urbansketchers.org to discuss options for those younger than 18.

Travel Visas

Do I need a visa to travel to Poland?

Click here for official Polish government information about types of visas to Poland. More information can be found here . Poland is a European Union member so EU citizens may enter the territory on the basis of a valid travel document.

Can I have recommendations of hotels in Poznań?

There are many accommodation choices in Poznań. Our local Symposium Team has  compiled a list of a suggested range of accommodation options for you.

NAME CLASS DISTANCE ADDRESS PRICE per person per night (tax included) DISCOUNT
****
190m
plac Władysława Andersa 3, 61-894 Poznań
$123
****
850m
Piekary 5, 61-823 Poznań
$92
****
1,4km
plac Kolegiacki 5, 61-841 Poznań
$71
****
900m
Święty Marcin 67, 61-806 Poznań
$93
15% of the daily rate, individual payment Number of rooms according to availability. Reservation conditions: Conference participants reserve rooms individually for a specific password – “USK2025” To make a reservation, send an email to rsvt.nhpoznan@nh-hotels.com
****
1km
Święty Marcin 2, 61-803 Poznań
$88
SINGLE/DOUBLE room for single use: Standard price – PLN 360, Promotional price for Urban Sketchers Poland guests – PLN 269; TWIN/DOUBLE room: Standard price – PLN 400 Promotional price for Urban Sketchers Poland guests – PLN 299. We can offer the following booking conditions: Guests make their own bookings via e-mail: sales@donprestige.com or reception@donprestige.com, quoting the password USK2025;
***
700m
Święty Marcin 40 dojazd:, Ratajczaka 31, 61-807 Poznań
$85
***
1km
plac Wolności 16, 61-739 Poznań
$79
***
1,2km
Gołębia 6, 61-834 Poznań
$99
**
290m
Niezłomnych 1C, 61-894 Poznań
$68
The 10% promotional link/code for reservations made directly through our website will be available for stays between 18-25.08.2025. Reservations can be made in two ways: 1. Using the ready promotional link, which leads directly to the discount offer https://www.hoteltraffic.pl/poznan/USK2025 2. In the second case, in one of the reservation steps on the hotel’s website, in the PROMOTION CODE field, simply enter: USK2025
Hostel
1,6km
Dominikańska 9A, 61-762 Poznań
$50

Last Update: 29 January 2025

Glossary

What is…

Workshop

Workshops are one of the main components of the USk Symposium.  

They are presented as a more formal educational experience with a smaller group  (15-17 participants), allowing for personal interaction with students. Instructors are expected to do a short demonstration, have one-on-one interaction with participants, and check on them during their exercises.

Workshops are accessible only to registered Symposium participants.

Opening & Closing Events

We will kick-start the Symposium with an Opening reception, where the USk President welcomes all participants and some light refreshments will be served.

We wrap up the weekend with a Closing celebration.  The evening starts with the Silent Auction, the Raffle Draw, and with some catering.  To end the Symposium, we will also announce the next Symposium dates and host city.

The Opening and Closing Receptions are accessible only to registered Symposium participants.

Demo

Demo will be led by all instructors we have for workshops plus a selection of presenters who specialize in certain techniques or topics.  Each Demo will be conducted for around 30-40 mins on-location in Poznań or at the Symposium Hub.  Expected capacity at a Demo on-location will be 20 persons max.

Demos are accessible only to registered Symposium participants.

Activity

Activity is a hands-on 1hr presentation, where participants also have the opportunity to participate (40-50 mins presentation, 10 mins Q&A session and will only be conducted once). Group sizes will vary. 

Activities are accessible only to registered Symposium participants.

Art Supplies Market

Art Supplies Market will showcase all the symposium sponsors and supporters.  The range of products will include art materials, tools and books.  Some sponsors may host demos or talks about their product.  Stay tuned to the Symposium webpage for more information.

Art Supplies Market location will be announced later and will be open to the public.

Lecture

Lecture presentations will be 30 mins each including Q&A

Sketchwalk

The Sketchwalks during the three days of the Symposium are  accessible only to registered Symposium participants.   We end with a large Big Sketch on the afternoon of the last day and this is open to anyone who would like to sketch with us. Refer to the Schedule for Sketchwalk timing and locations. 

Sketchwalks will be hosted and managed by USk Poland.  More information regarding Sketchwalks will be published soon. Please stay tuned. 

Family Photo

Every official participant of the Symposium is encouraged to gather together for the huge ‘family photo’. Usually on the last day – the time and location will be provided in the schedule.

Silent Auction

Every sketcher can donate their original artwork for the Silent Auction that will happen on the last day before the Closing Reception.  Art works will be displayed with a bid card next to it for any interested parties to bid.  At the closing, the successful bidder has to collect the artwork with the bid card and proceed to payment with the USk Treasurer.  What everyone gets from this is a chance to own an original artwork of a fellow sketcher and funds raised from this Silent Auction will go into furthering USk’s other projects and endeavors. 

All artworks for the Silent Auction should be submitted for cataloging.  Stay tuned for announcements regarding when and and where to submit.

Raffle Draw

The Raffle Draw is also another fundraiser effort where tickets at the Symposium can be bought from the Fundraising team, for a chance to win something at the Draw.  In the past, prizes had included art materials, equipment and books.  The top prize for the Raffle Draw is a FREE Workshop Pass to the next Symposium.  

Drink and Draw

Drink and Draw is not an official Symposium activity.  It is an after Symposium get-together amongst sketchers and friends.  The host city will recommend a location where sketchers and friends can hang out for a drink at the end of the day and enjoy some sketching time amongst friends.  

Location/s for Drink and Draw will be announced later.

No sign up required.  It is a public event and all food or beverages  are at your own expense.

Last Update: 29 January 2025