The important issue of the Ukrainian art history of the 20th century is the life and creative work of the Ukrainian painters, who were forced to become emigrants and studied at European establishments of higher education. This publication deals with such Ukrainian students and graduates of the Academy of Fine Arts in Cracow in the 20s and 30s of the 20th century. Among them are presently well-known Ukrainian artists: G. Kruk, L. Levytsky, S. Lytvynenko, N. Kysilevsky, L. Perfetsky, R. and M. Selsky, J. Kulchytsky, V. Kryzanivsky, M. Kmit, L. Gerz, P. Obal, D. Gorniatkevich and others. Moreover, the article shows the reasons for and the circumstances of the arrival of young people from different parts of Ukraine in Cracow. Also, it attempts to answer what attracted them to the Academy of Fine Arts in Cracow. All problems are considered in the context of the Ukrainian-Polish cultural relationships during this period.