INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY OF ART PALESTINE

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Ramallah--September 10, 2007, The International Academy of Art Palestine will open its doors to the first set of ten students to study four years in the experimental program leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree in contemporary visual arts. The leading artists of Palestine consider this event a significant cultural achievement aiming to establish the academy as a distinctive higher education institution hosting an opening celebration in launching the academic year, 6:00 pm, Monday, Sept 10, 2007 at the Academy under the auspices of Dr. Naser Qudweh, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and former PLO Representative to the UN.

While the academy project seeks accreditation from the Palestinian Ministry of Higher Education, the partner institute, the prestigious Oslo National Academy of Arts will grant the accredited Bachelor of Art degree for the first set of students. This ambitious institution building and capacity building project is being carried out amidst harsh circumstances that Palestinians live daily yet seeing in art a tool to resist injustices and oppression.

Promoting the highest level of art lectures and studio practice applicants were evaluated by a steering committee of local and international artists, which include Tayseer Barakat, Nabil Anani, in April during what will become the Annual Spring Encounter for recruitment. Over fifty applications were received and twenty-five students were specifically invited for a week of evaluation. The exclusively selected first class to graduate 2011 includes six women and four men.

Teachers for the first semester include artists Hannan Abu Hussein, Emily Jacir, & Rula Halawani, Graphic Designer Lena Sobeh, Librarian Mutassem Afaneh, Dean of Cultural Sudies Program at Birzeit University, Dr. Abdul Karim Barghouti, & Professor and Former Dean of the Malmo Art Academy, Professor Gertrud Sandquist, in addition to Artistic Director, Khaled Hourani; Academic Director, Reem Fadda; & Project Advisor on behalf of Olso, Henrik Placht. The semester will also see several Invited artists such as: Ayreen Anastas & Rene Gabri, Sandi Hilal & Alessandro Petti, curator & theorist Nina Montmann and many others.

The curriculum vision and content was set by a committee, which in addition to staff includes prominent members such as curator Salwa Mikdadii, artist Suleiman Mansour and Professor Gertrud Sandqvist. It is anchored from within a Palestinian framework, and extends towards international standards, focusing on studio practice and encompassing theory. All major contemporary visual art disciplines and teaching of mediums will be included in the four-year program; and links with other disciplines such as architecture, theatre, music, dance, literature and film will be established.

The Academy is funded solely for three years by the Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.