Mimar Sinan University

Abstract

Mimar Sinan University is the oldest educational institution in Turkey that has offered programs in major fields of art since 1882. it was founded by Osman Hamdi Bey under the title of School of Fine Arts to introduce art education in western fashion in the country. In 1883, courses were available in Painting, Architecture, Sculpture and Engraving. In 1923, a Decorative Arts departrnent was added, and in the same year, the school 's name was changed to Academy of Fine Arts. In 1969, eighty-six years after it was founded, the institution achieved a new status under the Academies of Fine Arts Act passed by the parliament that year and was renamed lstanbul State Academy of Fine Arts. In 1972, two nationalized private Schools, one of Architecture and the other of Applied Industrial Arts, were integrated with the Academy. Istanbul State Academy of Fine Arts was the core around which Mimar Sinan University was founded on 4 November, 1981 in accordance with the Higher Education Act which came into effect that year. The University at present, consists of three faculties, two institutes for graduate studies, a conservatory, a vocational school, and a number of research centers. As it was set in its founding principles, Mimar Sinan University focuses on education and research primarily in the major disciplines of art and humanities besides certain areas of pure sciences.