The Faculty of “Art History” is based on the work of three departments: “History and Theory of Theatrical Art” (Head of the Department, Professor S.D. Kabdieva), “History and Theory of Cinema” (Head of the Department, Professor G.K. Nauryzbekova), “History and Theory of Fine Arts” (Head of the Department, Professor K.S.Orazkulova). The faculty trains specialists at three levels: bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral studies, in the following areas: “Theater Studies”, “Art History”, “Film Studies” and “Film Drama”.
HISTORY OF THE FACULTY OF “ART HISTORY”
The Faculty of “Art History” is based on the work of three departments: “History and Theory of Theatrical Art” (Head of the Department, Professor Yerkebay A.S.), “History and Theory of Cinema” (Head of the Department, Associate Professor Nogerbek B.B.), “History and Theory of Fine Arts” (Head of the Department, Professor K.S.Orazkulova). The faculty trains specialists at three levels: bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral studies, in the following areas: “Theater Studies”, “Art History”, “Film Studies” and “Film Drama”.
The history of the Faculty of “Art History” began in 1983 with the formation of the Department of “Aesthetics, History and Theory of Art” of the Alma-Ata State Theater and Art Institute (head of the department – Candidate of Philosophical Sciences, Associate Professor V. Didenko). In 1987, the department was renamed and became the Department of “History and Theory of Art” (head of the department – Candidate of Art History, Associate Professor K. Ibraeva). From 1990 to 1993, the department was headed by Doctor of Art History, Professor B.Kundakbayev, from 1993 to 1996, the department was headed by Honored Artist of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Candidate of Art History, Professor A. Kadyrov. In 1996-2000, the department was headed by Candidate of Art History, associate Professor, and then Professor S.Kabdieva, who later worked as Vice-rector for Science of KazNAI named after T. Zhurgenov.
The new name of the department “Art History” since 2000 reflected its role as the main theoretical base of the Academy in the field of art studies. During the year, the department was headed by Doctor of Art History, Professor B.Kundakbayev. In 2002, the Faculty of “Art History” was established on the basis of the department, the dean of which was appointed Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, associate professor, member of the Union of Artists and the Union of Journalists of the Republic of Kazakhstan K.K.Bolatbayev. Four departments have been formed at the faculty: “History and Theory of Theatrical Art” (Head of the Department S.D. Kabdieva), “History and Theory of Cinema” (Head of the Department G.K.Nauryzbekov), “History and Theory of Fine Arts” (Head of the Department R.A.Ergalieva), “Traditional Culture and Art” (head of the department A.T.Aituarova).
2006 – 2019 the dean of the faculty was Doctor of Art History, Professor B.Nurpeis. Since September 2019, the faculty has been headed by Professor, Candidate of Art History M.Zhaksylykova.
In 1990, the first enrollment of students in the specialty “Theater Studies” was carried out. The head of the workshop was a leading specialist of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the field of history and theory of theater, Doctor of Art History, Professor B.Kundakbayev.
In different years, specialists in theater studies have worked at the department: Honored Worker of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Doctor of Art History, Professor B.Kundakbayev; Honored Worker of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Laureate of the State Prize of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Professor A.Sygai; Currently, leading theater critics of Kazakhstan teach at the department.
The first enrollment of students in the specialty “Film Studies” was carried out in 1993. The workshop of future film specialists was conducted by the Candidate of Art History, Honored Worker of Kazakhstan, famous film critic Bauyrzhan Nogerbek. In the specialty “Cinematography” the first set of students was carried out in 1994. The workshop of future specialists-cinematographers was conducted by the Honored Worker of Kazakhstan, laureate of the State Prize of the Republic of Kazakhstan, famous writer, cinematographer Akim Tarazi. In the modern educational workshops of the Academy, famous writers and playwrights are engaged with students: D.Isabekov, S.Balgabaev, S. Yelubai, Sh. Kusainov.
In 2002-2003, the Department of “History and Theory of Fine Arts” was headed by Doctor of Art History, Professor R.Ergalieva, from 2003 to 2007 – Candidate of Art History O.Baturina, from 2007-2010 – Candidate of Art History A.Yusupova, From 2011 to the present – Candidate of Philosophical Sciences, Professor, K.S.Orazkulova.
2 Doctors of Sciences, 4 PhD, 14 professors, 7 associate professors, 12 candidates of sciences, 1 Laureate of the State Prize of the Republic of Kazakhstan, 6 Honored Artists of Kazakhstan, 8 members of the International Association of Theater Critics, 11 members of the Union of Theater Workers of Kazakhstan, 7 members, 3 members of the Union of Cinematographers of the Republic of Kazakhstan, 3 members of the Union of Artists of the Republic of Kazakhstan teach classes at the Faculty.
In recent years, the Faculty of “Art History” has gained international recognition. Many students and graduates of the faculty have been awarded the titles of laureates of the student festivals of creative youth “Zhiger” and “Shabyt”, international film festivals “Eurasia”, “Almaty Film Festival”, “Stars of Shaken”, “Bastau”, etc.
Every year, the faculty’s international scientific and creative ties with VGIK, GITIS, RGTU, the Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow State University, the State Hermitage Museum, the Tashkent Research Institute of Art Studies, the Rotterdam Film Festival Center in the Netherlands, American film critics of the online magazine Kinokultura, as well as with the A. Kasteev State Museum of Art, the film Company are expanding Kazakhfilm, the International Festival Center of the Almaty Film Festival, the State Archive of Film and Photo Documents and other theatrical and artistic organizations of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Cooperation with UNESCO is developing.
Postgraduate training of specialists for pedagogical and scientific activities under new programs reflecting the educational positions of the national concept of education and the Bologna Convention, which is the key to the future creative and scientific growth of the faculty as a whole, is conducted in the master’s and doctoral studies of the KazNAI named after T. Zhurgenov. Graduates of the faculty work in theaters, museums, galleries, publishing houses, research institutes and universities of art, in the field of cinema and television.
The long-term development plan of the faculty includes further development of international relations, deepening cooperation with scientific and creative organizations of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
050000,Almaty,ul.Panfilova, 127
+7 727 261 62 81 (dean’s office)