Educational Policies and the Labour Market in the Visual Arts – the Paradigm Shift
Educational Policies and the Labour Market in the Visual Arts – the Paradigm Shift

Summary/Abstract: This paper presents the key findings of an extensive research into the role ofuniversity-level visual art education in the preparation of visual artists for the successful transitionfrom the academic environment to the art ‘labour market’. Starting from an assumptionthat higher visual arts education may be a significant factor in redefining the career paths ofthe visual arts graduates in Serbia, it reviews the recent changes in concepts and programs ofuniversity-level visual arts education in Europe and in Serbia. Education policies increasinglyforesee the necessity of conscious compliance of education with society as a whole, bearingin mind the wide range of social roles that visual art and professionals from this field mayassume. This is especially important for Serbia, since culture is considered one of the country’smost important assets in re-positioning itself on a mental map of Europe. In this paper I willmap the main issues, briefly present the historical development of art school programs inEurope and in Serbia, and I will present the concept of the Management in Fine Arts coursedesigned for the BA level at the Fine Art Schools which was designed to endow students withthe opportunity to attain basic ‘labour market skills’, and provide them with knowledge andskills necessary to direct their professional development in such manner to enable them toeasily find their place in various areas of contemporary society.

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