İstanbul Gelişim University has added another partnership to its collaborations in the arts. A noteworthy meeting focused on art, education, and interdisciplinary production was held between IGU Faculty of Fine Arts (FFA) and Istanbul Modern. The meeting was attended by IGU BAP Coordinator Asst. Prof. Serap Yeşilkır Baydar, IGU BAP Vice Coordinator Asst. Prof. Sibel Zengin, IGU SATMER Director Asst. Prof. Mustafa Günay, IGU FFA Dean Prof. Şükran Güzin Ilıcak Aydınalp, IGU FFA Vice Dean Assoc. Prof. Sezgin Savaş, IGU FFA Interior Architecture and Environmental Design Department Res. Asst. Ezginaz Kara, and İstanbul Modern Public Programs and School Programs Manager Bora Ersezen. The meeting offered a comprehensive assessment of contemporary museum practice, initiatives supporting student engagement, interdisciplinary production models, and upcoming joint events.
İstanbul Modern's Experience-Centered Museology Approach Draws Attention
The meeting, at which the contribution of strong links between arts institutions and academic structures to innovative industries came to the fore, was also regarded as an important point of contact aimed at enabling students to develop a closer relationship with professional artistic environments.
One of the main agenda items of the meeting was İstanbul Modern's current museology approach and its public education programs. Bora Ersezen stated that İstanbul Modern is positioned not merely as an exhibition-oriented institution, but as a living cultural space centered on learning, interaction, and production.
Noting that programs developed especially for young people and university students aim to transform the relationship with art, Ersezen shared detailed information about the content production and implementation stages of the public and school programs run by the institution. Stressing that partnerships with universities play a critical role in this regard, Ersezen stated that the convergence of students from different disciplines in joint production processes is of great importance for contemporary art education.
Interdisciplinary Talk and Event Models Come to the Fore
The meeting also included assessments on the talk and event series organized by İstanbul Modern. Bora Ersezen noted that the talk series carried out to date have an interdisciplinary structure bringing together different fields such as art, design, architecture, and cultural studies.
Noting that this approach develops students' ability to think from different perspectives rather than only within their own area of expertise, Ersezen emphasized that art education needs to be supported by a multifaceted thinking practice.
The meeting also addressed the quota allocation model İstanbul Modern has developed for universities. Stating that special participation rights are extended to universities in certain events and programs, Ersezen noted that this practice facilitates students' active engagement with professional artistic environments.
A Partnership for the "The Nature of Objects" Talk
Another noteworthy item of the meeting was the joint projects planned for the future. Bora Ersezen shared information about the talk titled "The Nature of Objects," to be organized as part of the "Design Dialogues" event series scheduled for May 21.
Noting that they aim to work jointly with universities for the event, which will examine the relationship between design, objects, and meaning from different angles, Ersezen stated that potential collaborations with IGU FFA could be explored in this context.
It was also noted that ongoing Istanbul Modern talk series such as "Your Thursday," "Design Dialogues," and "Words and Algorithms" are among the important platforms through which students can directly experience contemporary art production processes.
IGU Faculty of Fine Arts Presents Its Innovative Educational Model
In the second part of the meeting, a comprehensive presentation was made by IGU Faculty of Fine Arts. Detailed information was shared about the faculty's academic structure, student profile, and ongoing work, with particular emphasis on its student-centered production philosophy and applied educational model.
It was underscored that the interdisciplinary projects conducted within the faculty have an innovative structure bringing together art and technology. AI-based productions, digital art applications, and virtual reality projects were cited among the examples demonstrating the faculty's vision in contemporary art education.
TÜBİTAK-Funded Projects and Academic Achievements Shared
The faculty's achievements at the national and international level also came to the agenda during the presentation. Awards won by students and academics were considered among the important indicators of the faculty's production capacity and academic competence.
Comprehensive information was also shared about scientific research projects and academic work, with TÜBİTAK-funded projects attracting particular attention. The fact that these projects produce not only theoretical but also applied outputs, and that they support students' active participation in research processes, was regarded as an important achievement.
Information was also provided about joint work conducted with SATMER as part of the faculty's collaborations with various institutions. It was stated that collaborations of this kind make an important contribution to students' ability to bring together academic knowledge and field experience.
A Strong Synergy Combining Art, Education, and Technology
The meeting was regarded as an important step toward strengthening collaboration between arts institutions and universities. It was expressed that a strong synergy could form between İstanbul Modern's experience-centered museology approach and IGU FFA's production and research-based educational model.
In the period ahead, joint projects, talk programs, innovative production workshops, and events that will increase student participation are expected to be implemented. It is emphasized that collaborations of this kind, taking shape at the intersection of art, education, and technology, will create new opportunities for both students and academic institutions.
