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The project titled “What Does an Art Historian Do?”, carried out in collaboration with the Department of Art History of Istanbul Medeniyet University, IMU Turkish-Islamic Art and Archaeology Application and Research Center, and Stratonikeia and Lagina Excavations Directorate, was successfully completed following comprehensive activities held on 22-27 December 2024. Within the scope of the Erasmus+ KA154 project titled “What Does an Art Historian Do?” supported by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Presidency for European Union Affairs, Turkish National Agency, numbered 2023-3-TR01-KA154-YOU-000176541, a series of events were organized with the aim of helping newly graduated art historians overcome the difficulties they encounter in finding a job and increasing their employment opportunities.

During the project activities including workshops, seminars, guidance sessions, museum visits and interactive activities, the participants had the opportunity to develop their professional skills and gain theoretical knowledge and practical skills by meeting with industry experts.

The first day of the project began with the opening speeches and introduction activities by Istanbul Medeniyet University Art History Department Head and Project Coordinator Prof. Dr. Kadir Pektaş, Project Coordinator Asst. Prof. Dr. Büşra Ayaz and Turkish-Islamic Art and Archaeology Application and Research Center Assistant Director Asst. Prof. Dr. Tuğba Diri Apaydın. An “Ice Breaker Activity” was held to strengthen communication between participants. In the second session, where social media and art history topics came together, Drone Operator Oğuzhan Karadirek gave his speech titled “Being an Art Historian in Social Media.” At the end of the day, information on Erasmus+ and Youthpass certificates contributed to the participants’ recognition of international career opportunities.

The second day of the project began with an employment guide preparation workshop. In this workshop led by Asst. Prof. Dr. Büşra Ayaz, participants were divided into groups and offered solutions to the difficulties that art history graduates face in the business world. The groups had the opportunity to develop their organizational and communication skills through the processes of leader selection and policy text preparation. Then, Ali Bayrak, a student at the Visual Communication and Design Department of Istanbul Medeniyet University, taught the participants how to design on the Canva platform in the “Digital Design Workshop” event. Thanks to this event, the participants developed their digital content production skills. At the end of the day, Art Historian Hakan Demirtaş gave a speech on art smuggling and the roles of art historians in this field. This session helped the participants understand their responsibilities in the protection of cultural heritage.

The third day began with an interactive drama activity. Van Gogh’s Letters to Theo was adapted into a play by the participants and brought to the stage. After the activity, which developed the participants’ entrepreneurial and self-confidence skills, the program continued with policy text writing activities. The groups concretized their ideas by preparing visual presentations on Canva. The day ended with an experience sharing session by young art historians, and the sharing of new graduates about their career journeys inspired the participants and allowed them to explore different career paths.

The fourth day began with the “Paper Repair Workshop” by Restorer Mustafa Sulu from the Presidential Archives. Mustafa Sulu demonstrated to the participants the process of making notebooks by reusing old papers with his professional knowledge in bookbinding and restoration. Then, Marmara University Art History Department Head and National Palaces Administration Vice President Prof. Dr. Abdülhamit Tüfekçioğlu held a session titled “Works and Career Opportunities in National Palaces.” Tüfekçioğlu provided information about the projects carried out in national palaces and detailed the career opportunities in this field for art historians.

The fifth day of the project began with the “Climate Activists Workshop.” Discussions on artistic actions and the impact of vandalism on museums and exhibitions raised awareness among participants on the subject. Documentary screenings and Q&A sessions provided an interactive learning environment. Afterwards, Habsbro Turkey Marketing Manager Ali Murathan Dikel conducted a workshop titled “Job, Interview, Self-Sufficiency and Self-Confidence.” In this workshop, comprehensive information was shared on preparing for job interviews, expressing oneself correctly and techniques for preparing an impressive CV. Later in the day, a creative drama workshop was held under the leadership of Expert Gül Bulut. This event, where art history concepts were handled with creative drama techniques, improved the entrepreneurial and expressive skills of the participants.

The last day was completed with visits to the Istanbul Archaeological Museums and the Turkish Islamic Arts Museum, accompanied by the Organization Manager and Tour Guide Res. Asst. Yasin Saygılı. During these visits, where detailed information was provided about important works such as Osman Hamdi Bey's archaeological works and the Alexander Sarcophagus, participants had the opportunity to meet with museum directors and have a Q&A session. At the closing ceremony held at the end of the day, participants successfully completed the project by receiving their Youthpass certificates.

The project, which made significant contributions to the professional development of young art historians who completed their university education by providing them with free vocational training and guiding their careers, supported the participation of young people in the workforce and their obtaining quality jobs in their fields.