The University of Arts[2] (Albanian: Universiteti i Arteve), formerly known as the Academy of Arts (Albanian: Akademia e Arteve), is a public university and the main institution that offers higher education of arts in Albania.
History
Founded in 1966 as the Higher Institute of Arts (Albanian: Instituti i Lartë i Arteve), it merged three artistic institutions: the Tirana State Conservatory, the Higher School of Fine Arts, and the High School for Actors “Aleksander Moisiu”. The institute was able to take advantage of the Russian tradition in classical music and ballet due to the fact that Albania and Russia had close relationships during communism. The school still maintains ties with the Russian School of Ballet and Classical Music. In 1991, the Higher Institute of Arts was promoted to university level and renamed Academy of Arts. On October 12, 2009, the President of Albania, Bamir Topi awarded the Academy of Arts the "Grand Master Order".[3]
The artists trained in the institution have become well known in dance, music, theatre, film, and television in Albania and abroad. The teaching staff and associates of the Art Academy are musicologists, instrument players, painters, sculptors, theatre, film, and television directors, actors, stage designers, and choreographers.
Directors/Rectors
From its creation until 1991 the Higher Institute of Arts was led by a Director. From 1997 to the present, it is directed by a Rector.
The Directors/Rectors of the University of Arts
1966–1969
Vilson Kilica (1932– ), painter, (Director of the Higher Institute of Arts)
1969–1973
Tefik Çaushi, writer, (Director of the Higher Institute of Arts)
1973–1978
Lili Zhamo, (Director of the Higher Institute of Arts)
1978–1981
Ibrahim Madhi, Professor of violin, (Director of the Higher Institute of Arts)
1981–1988
Kristo Jorgji, film director, (Director of the Higher Institute of Arts)
1988–1991
Jakup Mato (1934–2005), (Director of the Higher Institute of Arts)
1991–1992
Fatmir Hysi, musicist, (Director of the Academy of Arts)
1992–1995
Bujar Kapexhiu (1944– ), film director and actor (Director of the Academy of Arts)
1995–1997
Gjergj Zheji (1926–2010), writer, (Director of the Academy of Arts)
1997–2008
Kastriot Çaushi (1954– ), actor, Professor of Drama (Rector of the Academy of Arts)
2008–2016
Petrit Malaj (1961– ), actor, Professor of Drama (Rector of the Academy of Arts, Rector of the University of Arts)
2016–
Kastriot Çaushi (1954– ), actor, Professor of Drama (Rector of the University of Arts)
On December 15, 2011, to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the Academy of Arts, the Albanian Post issued a new postal stamp [4] dedicated to this event. The stamp was introduced during a ceremony at the Main Hall of the University of Arts by the Head of the Philately Department of the Albanian Posts and the Rector Prof. Petrit Malaj.
