Deadline submission: September 7, 2007
Mission statement
The Higher Institute of Fine Arts (HISK) organises the postgraduate education in Flanders in the field of the visual arts. It provides some thirty young artists from Belgium and abroad with a studio of their own, for a duration of two years.
At the HISK the emphasis lies mainly on individual practise, with an international focus. The visiting lecturers are crucial. Artists, curators, critics and theoreticians pay individual studio visits at regular intervals. There are also frequent visits to significant art events, and readings, master classes, seminars and workshops are organised. Thanks to the unique HISK concept the participants are given every opportunity to seriously invest in the critical research of their work, and to situate it within a broader artistic, cultural and societal context.
At the end of the two-year working period, the participant receives the certificate of ‘Laureate of the HISK’.
The HISK is officially recognized as Higher Institute and is financed by the Flemish Community – Ministry of Education.
From April 2007 onwards the HISK is housed in the Leopold Barracks in Ghent. Spread over various buildings, it disposes over 30 studios (varying between 40 and 80 m2), a multi-media lab, workshops for, among other things, wood and metal work, an exhibition space, administrative spaces, a conference room, a library and various facilities (such as a kitchen, cafeteria, internet-corner) for the candidate-laureates.
The HISK is located at the edge of the Citadel Park, at walking distance from Ghent main station (Sint-Pieters Station) and the city centre. It is moreover located at a central point in the City of Ghent’s so-called cultural kilometer. Immediate neighbours are the SMAK (the Municipal Museum of Contemporary Art), the Museum of Fine Arts, Sint Pietersabdij Kunsthal (the Saint Peter’s Abbey Art-hall), the City Museum (STAM), the Faculty of Arts and Philosophy of Ghent University and the Department of Fine Arts of University College Ghent.
As a city of knowledge and culture, Ghent is one of the most lively student cities in Flanders which has a fascinating cultural and artistic climate. See http://www.gent.be
Applications
The HISK does not impose strict demands on previous education, yet it does focus on a candidate’s level of development. The application is based on submitted work from past years and on the basis of an interview about the motivations for the artistic project, which the participant wishes to undertake during his/her study.
In the assessment of the submitted works by the artists concerned, their conceptual and visual qualities are paramount; not style, material or technique.
Considering the HISK’s aims, the participants are, besides their own practice, expected to have a strong commitment to conducting critical research in their own field of interest, in relation to the broader perspective of social and cultural elements.
Moreover a contribution to the activities of the HISK as a whole is expected. Interaction is an important feeding ground. The work period culminates in a public presentation of the candidates’ work after which a certificate of Laureateship is awarded.
The working year begins annually in early January.
To apply, please send the following:
1. Information:
– the duly completed application form see http://www.hisk.edu
– 4 recent passport photographs (name on back)
– a copy of your ID card or passport
– a detailed curriculum vitae
– a list of exhibitions (stating city and dates), grants, scholarships, awards, commissions
– catalogues and texts concerning the artistic work
– your personal motivation and work plan (in English, max. 20 lines)
– maximum 3 letters of recommendation (optional)
2. Presentation / portfolio
– File with maximum 20 (colour) prints and / or PowerPoint presentation on CD (Mac compatible)
– Films and videos: max. 5 and if possible on DVD
File to be sent to:
HISK / Higher Institute for Fine Arts
Charles de Kerchovelaan 187a
9000 Gent – Belgium
Deadline submission: September 7, 2007
The first work year starts on January 1, 2008 and ends on December 31, 2008.
The selection will be made by an international jury end of September – beginning of October 2007.
The documentation of the non-selected candidates can be collected at the secretariat upon completion of the admission procedure. The documentation of the selected candidates will be saved in the archives of the HISK.
Liability: As careful as the Higher Institute for Fine Arts-Flanders may be in handling the documentation submitted, we cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage.
The registration fee
The registration fee for 2008 amounts to 1000 euros/year (+ a single deposit of 300 euros). Health insurance is not included in the registration fee. The registration fee (and the deposit) are payable before the start of the working year.
The Higher Institute of Fine Arts offers a studio, work places and pedagogical guidance. There are no scholarships or residencies available. Living costs are the participants’ own responsibility.
Foreign candidate-laureates have to arrange all the necessary administration themselves in order to obtain a visa for study purposes and an official residence permit.
HISK
Hoger Instituut voor Schone Kunsten
Higher Institute for Fine Arts
Charles de Kerchovelaan 187a
B-9000 Gent – Belgium
T +32 9 269 67 60
F +32 9 269 67 70
http://www.hisk.edu
HISK Flanders is supported by the Flemish Community and the City of Ghent.
