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Academy of Fine Arts   Istanbul
In 1928 the name of the institution in question was changed from Sanayi-i Nefise Mektebi to Guzel Sanatlar Akademisi in line with Ataturk's programme of cultural revolution, making it the first institution in Turkey to have the name and status of "Academy". In the years 1929-1932 the various branches in the Decorative Arts Department were given separate status as interior decoration, ceramics, graphics and posters. In 1936 Department of Turkish Decorative Arts was opened and in 1937 Museum of Painting and Sculpture attached to the Academy was opened in the Veliaht Apartments of Dolmabahce Palace. In 1948 the Academy building was severely damaged by a fire in which the library, the archives, various collections and buildings were totally destroyed. Until the completion of the repairs in 1953 teaching was carried on in various buildings in the Academy grounds, in a primary school in Findikli and in Yildiz Palace.

In 1957 new statutes were introduced by which all the departments were reorganised and given autonomy status, and the heads of departments were chosen by election. In 1962 a statute was accepted by which the Directors of the Academy were also elected.

In 1969 a law was passed granting the Academy university status and changing the name to "Istanbul Guzel Sanatlar Akademisi" (Istanbul Academy of Fine Arts).

In 1971, in accordance with the law closing private high schools, the architecture and fine arts departments in these schools were comprised within an Academy framework, leading to the foundation of a "Mimarlik Yuksek Okulu" (High School of Architecture) and an "Uygulamali Endustri Sanatlari Yuksek Okulu" (High School of Applied Industrial Arts).

The teaching in the Architectural Department of the Academy of Fine Arts conducted in accordance with Western standards and was able to meet the needs of teachers in the Istanbul Technical University and the Yildiz School of Engineering and Architecture. The tradition of research and publications on Turkish works of architecture initiated by the Department of Architectural Drawing in the Higher Department of Architecture played an important role in the conservation of works of secular architecture in Turkey.


The Istanbul Academy of Fine Arts formed the foundation for the Mimar Sinan University founded in 1982 in accordance with the Law of Higher Education.
Resources
Onder Kucukerman; "Guzel Sanatlar Akademisi", Istanbul Ansiklopedisi, vol.3, p. 459, Ministry of Culture - History Foundation Publications, 1994.
Related Links
From the History of The Academy of Fine Arts
Reflections from the Photo Album
Sanayi-i Nefise Mektebi (School of Fine Arts)
A New Perspective on National Architecture: 2nd. National Architecture Movement
First year at the Academy of Fine Arts, Painting Department, 1933. Cahide T...
Sculpture Class at "Gallery", Academy of Fine Arts, 1933. Cahide Tamer Arch...
"Cours de soir", Academy of Fine Arts. At far left Hulusi Mercan. Cahide Ta...
Academy of Fine Arts, (Left to right) 1- Painter Nubar, 2- unknown, 3- unkno...
President Ismet Inonu's visit to Academy of Fine Arts. 1935 or 1936. Cahide...
Academy of Fine Arts Architecture School, first year students, (from front t...
Academy of Fine Arts Architecture Class, 1941. Cahide Tamer Archive
Academy of Fine Arts, Architecture Class, graduation photograph, 1943. Cahi...
Academy of Fine Arts, Architecture Class, at the party in Taksim Municipal C...

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