Keywords
Yakut fine art, art school, higher art education in Yakutia, painting, graphics, Yakutia, the Arctic, academic traditions, ethnocultural traditions,
How to Cite
Borisova A. A., Shaposhnikova T. E. The establishment and development of the higher art education system in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), 1990s–2000s // The Art of Eurasia, 2025. № 4 (39). P. 92–107. URL: https://doi.org/10.46748/ARTEURAS.2025.04.006.
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Abstract
This article examines the development of higher art education in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) from the 1990s to the 2000s. During this period, the Yakut branch of the Krasnoyarsk State Art Institute was established. Its successful operation served as the basis for the opening of the Faculty of Fine Arts at the newly established Arctic State Institute of Culture and Arts (ASICA) in 2000, which continues its work to the present day. The relevance of this study stems from ASICA's status as the only creative university in Russia's Arctic. Analysing its 25 years of experience in art education is crucial for addressing contemporary challenges in preserving the Arctic's cultural diversity and advancing Russia's strategic interests in the circumpolar region. For the first time, this article traces the evolution of higher art education in Yakutia, from the founding of the Yakut branch of the Krasnoyarsk State Art Institute to the formation of the Department of Painting and Graphics at ASICA. This article explores the mechanisms of interaction between academic traditions and the artistic heritage of Arctic peoples. The methodological basis of the study is a systems approach to analysing the educational model as an open, dynamic structure. The research employs a combination of methods, including institutional analysis, the study of pedagogical methodologies, and the analysis of graduates' artistic practices.
The article explores the historical preconditions and institutional dynamics that led to the development of a pedagogical school, including the formation of its faculty and educational model. Particular attention is paid to the creative works of graduates, showcasing the emergence of a distinct artistic language that combines academic and ethnocultural traditions. A separate section delves into the challenges and potential for growth in art education in the Arctic region. The study's results indicate the formation of an independent art school within ASICA, which originated from the Yakut branch of the Krasnoyarsk State Art Institute. This school is characterized by a stable pedagogical tradition, intergenerational continuity, a significant body of work with a recognizable visual language, and active participation in the Russian artistic process. The identified challenges and development prospects position ASICA as a potential centre for Arctic art education, capable of addressing not only educational but also strategic objectives for strengthening Russia's humanitarian presence in the Arctic.
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