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Browse our database of documents, including full length books, policy papers, guidelines on Tuning & Quality Assurance, and project specific publications.
All documents in our database are listed below. Please note that they are sorted alphabetically, and grouped by category.
The principle mission of ELIA is to represent Higher Arts Education as an influential voice and advocate in promoting the interests of its members. In articulating and demonstrating the value of arts education and artistic research ELIA is committed to enhancing the conditions in which Higher Arts Education can flourish within changing educational structures, nationally and internationally. Guided by a profound commitment to cultural diversity, social inclusion and the roles of art education and artists in our societies, ELIA’s mission continues to be both vital and urgent in the current era dominated by financial uncertainty, global ecological challenges and rapidly shifting political landscapes.
The ELIA Teachers’ Academy is usually organised in spring and attracts roughly 150 delegates - professors, researchers, teachers and lecturers from all artistic disciplines and fields of expertise - giving the host institute(s) a unique opportunity to present themselves to higher art education institutes from Europe and beyond. The host institute’s teachers and students are encouraged to be involved in the conference.
This was Carla's last speech at the Biennial as Executive Director, since she will retire in October 2017. Her formal farewell also took place during the Biennial Conference and among others it included past ELIA presidents. During the General Assembly on 3 December 2016, Carla was appointed Honorary Companion by the Representative Board, for all her work and dedication for the past 26 years at ELIA.
ELIA’s main objectives are to strengthen the position of higher arts education, to support the free development of education in the arts, to promote the arts as a central contributor to social and economic development, to encourage cultural diversity and foster communication between cultures.
ArtesnetEurope: Peer Power! The Future of Higher Arts Education in Europe This handbook is the companion volume to inter}artes, Tapping into the potential of Higher Arts Education in Europe, and expands upon the work of the Inter}artes network. It includes an extensive survey of creative partnerships, material on quality assurance and enhancement, the Tuning process, an overview and bibliography of research in the arts in Europe, and documentation of the Teachers’ Academy, July 2009.
The ELIA Academy brings together roughly 150 delegates – lecturers from all artistic disciplines and fields of expertise - giving the host institute(s) a unique opportunity to present themselves to higher art education institutes from Europe and beyond. The aim of the ELIA Academy is to stimulate and engage teaching artists, lecturers and researchers in discussion with their peers in Higher Arts Education institutions internationally through participation and engagement in a varied programme (formal and informal presentations, creative workshops, debates, performance lectures, city visits and cultural tours, professional networking events).
NXT Making a Living From the Art: A Quantitative Analysis of the Project
The ELIA Office collected approximately 200 answers from over 30 countries with a quite even balance between (independent) hubs and higher arts institutions. Quantitative data was collected through a 28-question survey.
ELIA recognises that on occasions delegates will book onto events and subsequently find that they are unable to attend. In these situations ELIA asks that delegates notify ELIA Conference Manager their need to cancel an event booking as soon as possible.
The conference offers a platform for new ideas and innovative practices for educating the next generation of artists and contributes to the professional development of professors, teachers and researchers in higher arts education.
As a platform of knowledge sharing, Making A Living from the Arts brings together academics from all over Europe, cultural professionals, cultural entrepreneurs and artists to address the challenges that the contemporary arts sector is facing and explore the creative solutions that are being developed. The NXT Conference aims to stimulate a critical debate on several topics; therefore the active involvement of the attendees is as much part of the event as the speakers are.
On the occasion of ELIA founder Carla Delfos leaving her position as Executive Director, a round-table discussion was initiated by Pia van den Berg, Giep Hagoort and Ben Hurkmans.
The 15th ELIA Biennial Conference sets out to examine how art, design and performance can play a vital role in building resilience, especially in the urban context. Colleagues from ELIA member institutions from all artistic disciplines are welcome to contribute to the programme and showcase their practices in the arts and education, be it in a Pecha Kucha style presentation, paper presentation, workshop, debate or another suitable format that sparks discussion and engages the audience.
This report provides an overview of the ELIA Seminar “Becoming an Artist? Routes for aspiring artists and designers wanting to join an art school” which took place from 13 to 15 March 2019.
he ELIA Academy 2019, which took place in Stuttgart, Germany from 25-27 September at the Stuttgart State Academy of Art and Design and State University of Music and the Performing Arts Stuttgart brought a high level of interest to this truly timely conference on the subject of digitality.
Read the full report for an overview of the keynote speeches, key reflections and highlights of this event.
NXT Making a Living From the Art: A Quantitative Analysis of the Project
The ELIA Office collected approximately 200 answers from over 30 countries with a quite even balance between (independent) hubs and higher arts institutions. Quantitative data was collected through a 28-question survey.
As a platform of knowledge sharing, Making A Living from the Arts brings together academics from all over Europe, cultural professionals, cultural entrepreneurs and artists to address the challenges that the contemporary arts sector is facing and explore the creative solutions that are being developed. The NXT Conference aims to stimulate a critical debate on several topics; therefore the active involvement of the attendees is as much part of the event as the speakers are.
This letter of petition created by Scholars At Risk Network appeals to European governmentsa and EU institutions to take action for Afghanistan's scholars, researchers and civil society actors given the current political climate under Taliban rule.
The member institutions of ELIA and the Association Européenne des Conservatoires, Académies de Musique et Musikhochschulen (AEC), representing more than 550 higher arts education institutions across Europe that provide higher education in architecture, fine art, dance, design, media arts, theatre and music, remain strongly committed to the principles of the Bologna process, and continue to support the European ministers for education in seeking greater comparability and readability of qualifications as the platform for a stronger, more integrated European space of higher education. The objectives of both have been to gain a better understanding of both existing differences and common values, to create an ongoing dialogue between higher arts institutions at a European level and with national and European professional bodies. At the same time we are mindful in respecting and supporting the rich diversity of learning and teaching approaches, artistic traditions and practices.
CCI Paper: Higher Arts Education and the Creative Economy This paper provides arguments that will help higher arts education institutes to sharpen their own approaches and, in particular, define their relationship with the wider creative economy. This intersection can be considered as a space where alternative presents and futures can be discussed and as a driver for alternative value chains. It is written and supported by the ELIA Board 2012-2014 and ELIA experts. As the topic of this paper is subject to many changing factors in society it will be presented as a dynamic paper, meant to be updated when needed.
Position Paper ELIA/AEC for the European Year of Creativity and Innovation The European Association of Conservatoires (AEC) and the European League of Institutes of the Arts (ELIA) together represent more than 600 institutions for higher arts education in all European countries. The higher arts education sector in Europe provides a natural synergy between education and culture, which is of crucial importance to supporting creativity and innovation not only in the arts sector, but in society at large. Both organisations are uniquely positioned through their experience and mission to subscribe, enhance and contribute to furthering the aims of the EU Year of Creativity and Innovation 2009.
Releasing the Potential for Arts & Design Research in Europe
ELIA and the SHARE Network have jointly written this paper to convince European Commission officials that Arts & Research forms part of the European research landscape and to create openings within the next generation of European Research Funding 2013-2020, which is now being prepared.
Political Statement on the Occasion of the 60th Anniversary of the Rome Treaties
60 years ago, the treaties of Rome prepared the ground for the European Union. When celebrating their 60th anniversary in March this year, Member States will have the opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to fundamental European values whilst creating a new understanding of a sustainable European project, deeply grounded in the European societies. This is essential in times of deep societal changes, when European citizens feel disconnected to the Union. Culture and the arts can help to strengthen the European project; therefore, the 33 signatories of this statement call on European institutions and Member States to include culture and the arts in the strategic goals of the Union.
The European Alliance for Culture and Arts welcomes the opportunity to discuss the central role regions and cities play to address key challenges in future European policy making and cooperation between EU Member States.
ELIA/AEC response to the EC's European Area of Education and Culture 2025 Project
Following the announcement from the European Commission on the strategic aim to establish a European Area of Education by 2025, ELIA and AEC have drafted a joint statement.
Reaction of the European Alliance for Culture and the Arts to the European Commission’s proposal for the EU future budget
The Alliance argues for a long-term, considerable and balanced funding of the cultural and arts sectors at the EU level, allowing for sustainable development and ensuring their crucial role in the revitalisation of Europe.
ELIA is a part of the Alliance for Culture and the Arts.
The 'Florence Principles' position paper was presented by Andrea Braidt (Academy of Fine Arts Vienna), chair of the working group, during the 14th ELIA Biennial Conference in Florence. It is intended as a position paper on the doctorate in the arts for policymakers, university leaders, curriculum designers, research funding agencies and addressed to universities of art and science alike, helping the former to secure recognition for their endeavours.
ELIA/AEC Open Letter on Key Competences of the EC's European Area of Education and Culture 2025 Project
ELIA and AEC have drafted a joint statement with the aim of propose some amendments in the European Area of Education and Culture 2025 project in order to highlight the importance of culture as a core connector of competencies in society.
An ELIA Position Paper in support of the establishment of a new European Institute for Innovation and Technology (EIT) Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) for Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) within Horizon Europe.
Thank you to the contributions from David Crombie, European Research, Centre for Research & Innovation, HKU University of the Arts Utrecht and Stella Donata Haag, Research Officer at Film University Babelsberg.
The following paper: Barcelona, Beijing, Birmingham by Jonathan Harris, PhD, Birmingham City University, highlights and questions the ideas of independence and autonomy as these apply to Brexit and higher arts education institutions. The essay was originally published in Third Text Issue 5-6: Lost in Europe: In the Wake of Britain's Inner Emigration: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09528822.2018.1555356
This paper provides arguments that will help higher arts education institutes to sharpen their own approaches and, in particular, define their relationship with the wider creative economy. This intersection can be considered as a space where alternative presents and futures can be discussed and as a driver for alternative value chains. It is written and supported by the ELIA Board 2012-2014 and ELIA experts. As the topic of this paper is subject to many changing factors in society it will be presented as a dynamic paper, meant to be updated when needed.
Claiming Creativity - Art Education in Cultural Transition The Symposium "Claiming Creativity - art education in cultural transition" took place in Chicago, 21-24 April 2010 and was hosted by Columbia College Chicago in partnership with ELIA.
For artists and arts practitioners, the world is a home base. Frequently and easily moving from one country to another, working together with colleagues from different countries, at ease in different languages and cultures. Talented artists have always studied, worked and lived abroad. So, what is new? This book, the result of a two-year project Learning Abroad in the Arts, surveying, discussing and celebrating international mobility in the arts, highlights new trends.
Comments from the European League of Institutes of the Arts (ELIA) on the Green Paper 'Unlocking the potential of cultural and creative industries' Brussels COM (2010) 183
ELIA Strategy Paper: Artistic Research & 'New Knowledge' The paper sets out an approach for the immediate future for how ELIA will contribute, initiate and stimulate dialogue that enhances opportunities for artistic research across Europe and for shaping the development, production and application of creative ´new knowledge´ within a variety of institutional and public contexts.
Artemisia - Boosting Gender Equality in Higher Arts Education: Project Outcomes The symposium brought together approximately 30 representatives from higher arts education institutes (deans and professors), researchers, artists, journalists and experts from the cultural sector, originating from Belgium, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Representatives from the Comissado para a Igualdade e Direitos das Mulheres, and members of the Portuguese Parliament intervened at the seminar. The seminar was hosted by the Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, one of the partners in the Artemisia project.
ELIA Contribution to the Discussion of the High Level Reflection Group on Mobility This paper is based on a study done by the European League of Institutes of the Arts, ELIA, named Learning Abroad in the Arts: Bringing International Mobility in the Arts to the Forefront. The main aim of the study was to explore student and teacher mobility in Higher Arts Education Institutions and Universities within Europe.
Artemisia - Boosting Gender Equality in Higher Arts Education
The handbook is a result of the Artemisia project undertaken by ELIA during 2000-2001. It provides practical tools to address gender equality issues within higher arts education and the cultural sector as a whole.
The project created an opportunity for art students from several European countries to develop – in cooperation with foundation practitioners and in an exchange with theoreticians – their own understanding of the specific European experience of cultural diversity and to reflect on the theme of “Intercultural Dialogue”.
Inter}artes: Tapping Into the Potential of Higher Arts Education in Europe The Socrates Thematic Network for the Higher Arts Education Sector in Europe was active from 2004-2007. Bringing together 65 partner institutions from the European higher arts education sector, it was concerned with the impact of the Bologna process, tuning educational structures in Europe, quality assurance, innovation in learning and teaching, and professional practice. The findings of inter}artes have been collected in the handbook Tapping into the potential of Higher Arts Education in Europe.
ArtesnetEurope: Peer Power! The Future of Higher Arts Education in Europe
This handbook is the companion volume to inter}artes, Tapping into the potential of Higher Arts Education in Europe, and expands upon the work of the Inter}artes network. It includes an extensive survey of creative partnerships, material on quality assurance and enhancement, the Tuning process, an overview and bibliography of research in the arts in Europe, and documentation of the Teachers’ Academy, July 2009.
ArtFutures: Current issues in higher arts education features arts educators and thinkers from eight countries and a variety of disciplines. They cover a wide range of topics from post-consumerist art and activist design, via the public role of education and the creative economy, to documentary theatre and improvisation with live electronics.
ArtFutures: Working with Contradictions in Higher Arts Education
ArtFutures: Working with Contradictions in Higher Arts Education brings together leading arts practitioners, educators and thinkers, across 14 countries and a variety of disciplines, to address the most pressing issues in higher arts education from the perspective of those operating within the field. In its exploration of diverse geographies, ArtFutures tackles issues such as the rise of the MFA in Europe alongside the need for an inclusive approach to the cultural and creative industries, centred on informal arts education, in Africa. These papers constitute a unique anthology which highlights the manifold iterations of higher arts education.
The SHARE Handbook for Artistic Research Education is a poly-vocal document, designed as a contribution to the field of artistic research education from an organisational, procedural and practical standpoint. As a provisional disclosure of the state of the art within specific constituencies, this publication seeks to be serviceable to many different agendas and projects, and it attempts to do this by demonstrating the lived contradictions of what is simultaneously both an emerging and fully formed domain of research education.
The 'Florence Principles' position paper was presented by Andrea Braidt (Academy of Fine Arts Vienna), chair of the working group, during the 14th ELIA Biennial Conference in Florence. It is intended as a position paper on the doctorate in the arts for policymakers, university leaders, curriculum designers, research funding agencies and addressed to universities of art and science alike, helping the former to secure recognition for their endeavours.
The NXT Project publication "Careers in the arts: Visions for the future" is the culmination of 3-years of research and various activities co-funded by the Creative Europe programme and initiated and supervised by ELIA. In this publication, Nadia Danhash and Kai Lehikoinen, both of whom were deeply involved in the project's activities, reflect on some of the most relevant aspects of how to make a living from the arts from their own professional perspective. In addition, there are some insightful interviews with artists and their experience in the world of work after graduation and the creative solutions they have found. The research and case studies by Joost Heinsius comprise a large part of the book; giving an interesting snapshot of the diversity of creative hubs. These are stories of higher arts education institutions and how they are dealing with the changing world of work for their students, and examples of independent creative hubs which often deal with young professionals
ELIA organised the Regional Seminar "Internationalisation in a post-Brexit Europe" at the Royal College of Art, Battersea Campus London, UK, on 21 September 2018 to discuss the future of internationalisation in post-Brexit Europe.
This publication gathers selected presentations from thematic mobile sessions at the 15th ELIA Biennial Conference, Resilience and the City: Art, Education, Urbanism.
This report provides an overview of the ELIA Seminar “Becoming an Artist? Routes for aspiring artists and designers wanting to join an art school” which took place from 13 to 15 March 2019.
NEU NOW, an initiative of ELIA, existed from 2009-2017 as a transdisciplinary art festival devoted to presenting the work of exceptional emerging artists across Europe. This special, digital publication, wraps up the project as it existed with a digital publication, showcasing the work from one artist selected from each of the nine years.
The ELIA Academy 2019, which took place in Stuttgart, Germany from 25-27 September at the Stuttgart State Academy of Art and Design and State University of Music and the Performing Arts Stuttgart brought a high level of interest to this truly timely conference on the subject of digitality. Read the full report for an overview of the keynote speeches, key reflections and highlights of this event.
To describe the characteristics of the subject area fine art it is necessary first to consider Contemporary Art practice and its context in Europe. Art is a creative and intellectual endeavour that involves artists and other arts practitioners in a reflexive process where the nature and function of art is questioned and challenged through the production of new art. Contemporary art is a broad and dynamic field encompassing a wide range of approaches, technologies, contexts, theories, traditions and social functions. Knowledge and reflection are embodied in artistic practices and processes. Specific to art is an aesthetic approach to questioning and exploration, opening up new ways of understanding and producing meaning and knowledge.
During the ELIA Artistic Research Platform (Online) Meeting 2020: “Come as you are, as you were, as I want you to be…” Mapping the disciplinary state(s) of Artistic Research, attendees explored the framework of ‘archipelagic thinking’, as a heuristic device to provoke dialogue around the disciplinary status of artistic research.
Using the digital platform Padlet over two days, participants mapped the disciplinary fields of Circus, Fine Art, Choreography, Literature, Architecture, Theatre, Film, Applied Arts, Design and Artistic Research Study. As each iteration of the methodology unfolded, it connected with other disciplinary islands around common problems and challenges.
This digital pamphlet is the outcome of this meeting and has been produced by the Working Group for Artistic Research.
NEU NOW, an initiative of ELIA, existed from 2009-2017 as a transdisciplinary art festival devoted to presenting the work of exceptional emerging artists across Europe. This special, digital publication, wraps up the project as it existed with a digital publication, showcasing the work from one artist selected from each of the nine years.
NXT Making a Living From the Art: A Quantitative Analysis of the Project
The ELIA Office collected approximately 200 answers from over 30 countries with a quite even balance between (independent) hubs and higher arts institutions. Quantitative data was collected through a 28-question survey.
From Florence to Rotterdam: Activity Report 2016-2018
Read ELIA's 2-year activity report which includes updates on its activities, projects and governance. It has been an eventful two years and ELIA is grateful to the network for their continued support and enthusiasm.
This report provides an overview of the ELIA Seminar “Becoming an Artist? Routes for aspiring artists and designers wanting to join an art school” which took place from 13 to 15 March 2019.
