By the support from Istanbul ECOC Agency, Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University Fine Arts Faculty will be hosting nearly thirty institutions giving academic education of fine arts in countries of the Mediterranean basin on 3-9 May 2010 under the organization of ECUME (Echanges Culturels En Mediterranée)

The visit by ECUME Secretary General Daniel Belli and his deputy Véronique Hampp in Istanbul geared up the organization work for the Encounter which has been introduced to distinguished guests joining the lunch on 30 September upon the invitation of the Rector of Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University Prof. Rahmi Aksungur.

The meeting was attended by the supporters of the project Mayor of Beyoğlu Ahmet Misbah Demircan, Deputy Mayor Şems Çakıroğlu, Istanbul 2010 ECOC Agency Secretary General Yılmaz Kurt, Visual Arts Director Beral Madra, TÜRSAB Secretary General Günnur Özalp, Corporate Relations Director Ela Atakan who came together with Istanbul Cervantes Institute Director Antonie De Carrasco, Netherlands Consulate General Cultural Attaché Daniel Stork, Gabriel Polonieki on behalf of the French Cultural Center, project director and Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts Prof. Zeki Alpan, project manager and Vice Dean Assoc. Prof. Nihal Kafalı and the project advisor Melih Görgün in order to exchange opinions about the project.

Overlapping perfectly with the notion of European Capital of Culture, the 10th Encounter of Mediterranean Art Schools will gather nearly 60 arts trainer coming from different cultures of the Mediterranean and approximately one hundred students for one week in order to realize about 30 workshops for sharing information, experience and views in arts. Such sharing will be expanded to spectators through conferences and exhibitions. The entire process will be printed as a document later on.

Institutions giving academic education of fine arts in countries of the Mediterranean basin come together by the organizations of ECUME (Echanges Culturels En Méditerranée) in the first week of May since 1985 in various cities of Mediterranean countries in order to organize various events such as conferences, workshops, exhibitions and round table meetings. Istanbul will be the hosting city of this event in 2010.

The purpose of the encounter is defined as increasing the communications among the art schools in the Mediterranean; and reminding students that they share a common history. Exchange of ideas about art theories and education and implementing problems are discussed through the communications network that is constituted in annual encounters. So preliminary talks for joint projects among schools can be achieved and students can enjoy opportunities to collaborate with other students from different art schools.

The encounter is a project of Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture and it is supported by Municipality of Beyoğlu and TÜRSAB.