Turkey aims to rejuvenate boarding institutions for a broader scope in artistic education
In a commendable initiative to make arts education more accessible across Turkey, especially for students from remote regions, the Turkish State Opera and Ballet's General Director, Tan Sağtürk, is advocating for the revival of boarding programs within university-affiliated conservatories.
Sağtürk, who attended a state conservatory as a boarding student, recalls how the system once brought together young talents from all over the country. Over time, many of these boarding units in Turkish conservatories were phased out, limiting access for students from outside the immediate region.
Sağtürk has been discussing the revival of these programs with the Education Ministry, university rectors, and other higher education officials. His plan is to reactivate boarding programs within university-affiliated conservatories to give opportunities to talented children from smaller cities and villages.
The drive for this change comes as a response to the growing demand for ballet and opera across the country. Audience numbers for the state opera and ballet have doubled in the last year and a half, despite global challenges. To cater to this demand, Turkish cultural authorities have launched an opera and ballet festival, starting in the southeastern province of Şırnak, and touring 23 cities with limited exposure to live performing arts. The success of the first edition has led to plans for the second edition already being in the works.
Sağtürk believes that conservatories should function as national institutions rather than local ones. As part of this initiative, he is working on identifying and evaluating promising young artists across the country, which includes fieldwork in fine arts high schools.
This commitment to increasing the presence and availability of opera and ballet throughout Turkey is evident in Sağtürk's leadership and public statements. He has also been involved in developing new performance venues, such as the "Atatürk Cultural Center," contributing to making arts education and experiences more accessible beyond traditional urban centers.
The 'All My Hope Lies in Youth' concert in Istanbul, organized in collaboration with students from fine arts schools, is a testament to the strides being made in this direction. With Sağtürk's vision and dedication, it seems that arts education in Turkey is on the brink of a significant expansion, reaching out to young talents from every corner of the country.
Education and self-development are the cornerstones of Sağtürk's initiative, as he works towards expanding arts education across Turkey by reviving boarding programs in university-affiliated conservatories. This move aims to offer opportunities to talented students from smaller cities and villages, thereby creating a national platform for upcoming artists.
