Near East University, ranked among the top 500 universities in the world, is establishing an Art Library in its former rectorate building, which will become a new reference center for art research worldwide.
Near East University, which ranks among the top 500 universities in the world, is adding another valuable asset to its strong academic and cultural infrastructure. The second floor of the university’s former rectorate building is being transformed into a comprehensive Art Library. Located in the heart of the new building of the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts, which is currently under construction, the Art Library will be an important reference point for art research.
An International Standard Center for Art Research
The Art Library will bring together tens of thousands of printed works, rare publications, artist monographs, exhibition catalogs, and digital archives in many fields related to art, including art history, contemporary art, museology, aesthetics, cultural heritage, design, and interdisciplinary art studies. The library, which will offer an internationally standardized research environment for academics, researchers, artists, and students, will further enhance Near East University’s academic strength in the field of art.
The Art Library is located within an integrated structure with the new building of the Cyprus Modern Art Museum, which stands out with its modern architecture and is poised to become one of the country’s iconic buildings. This integration will create a strong link between the museum collections and academic production.
A Unique Art Campus in the World
Thanks to the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts, the Cyprus Car Museum, the GÜNSEL Art Museum, and the Cyprus Herbarium and Natural History Museum located on its campus, Near East University offers a unique cultural and artistic environment among universities worldwide. The fact that the number of exhibitions held on campus has reached 479 is one of the most concrete indicators of this vision that ensures continuity in art.
On the other hand, while more than 250 outdoor sculptures meet visitors throughout the campus, reliefs on many buildings and wall surfaces make art a natural part of campus life. This multi-layered art environment, extending from exhibition halls to open spaces, positions Near East University as one of the most important art centers not only in Cyprus but also in the world. With the realization of the Art Library, Near East University will continue to expand its model of exhibiting, documenting, researching, preserving, and transmitting art to future generations.
Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel: “Near East University is establishing a campus identity unparalleled on a global scale with its museums, exhibitions, open-air sculpture collections, and now the Art Library.”
Emphasizing that Near East University’s ranking among the top 500 universities in the world is a responsibility not limited solely to academic achievement, Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Near East Enterprises, said, “We bear this responsibility with a holistic university model that brings science, culture, and art together under one roof. The Art Library is being realized as one of the strongest components of this approach.”
“Supporting the cultural heritage of tens of thousands of works accumulated in our museums with knowledge, archives, and academic production is a fundamental priority for us. The Art Library will transform art from a phenomenon merely observed into a value that is read, researched, discussed, and scientifically transmitted to future generations.” said Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel, adding, “Near East University is establishing a unique campus identity on a global scale with its museums, exhibitions, open-air sculpture collections, and now the Art Library. This structure strengthens our university’s international visibility while creating an inspiring learning and production environment for our students and academics.”