Near East University, ranked among the top 500 universities in the world, will open its Art Library, located in the former rectorate building, on July 20th. Bringing together four museums, hundreds of exhibitions, and an Art Library on the same campus, Near East University will be setting a world first.
Near East University, with its four museums creating an unparalleled artistic atmosphere, is making history once again by transforming its former rectorate building into an “Art Library.” Located in the heart of the Cyprus Modern Art Museum, currently under construction, the Art Library will open on July 20, 2026. Serving as an international reference center for art research, the Art Library brings together a comprehensive collection covering a wide range of fields, including art history, contemporary art, museology, aesthetics, cultural heritage, design, and interdisciplinary art studies.
The collection, comprising tens of thousands of printed works, rare publications, artist monographs, exhibition catalogs, and digital archives, will offer an internationally standardized research environment for academics, researchers, artists, and students.
Designed to be integrated with the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts, which stands out with its modern architecture, the library will provide a strong and continuous interaction between museum collections and academic production. This holistic structure will create a new model for documenting, interpreting, and scientifically developing artistic production.
Unparalleled in the World!
Near East University brings together four major museums – the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts, the Cyprus Car Museum, the GÜNSEL Art Museum, and the Cyprus Herbarium and Natural History Museum – in a single campus living space. The fact that the number of exhibitions held on campus has reached 479 is one of the most concrete indicators of this approach that gives continuity to art. Over 250 sculptures and reliefs on architectural surfaces in open spaces make art a natural part of campus life.
With the opening of the Art Library, Near East University will also further advance the integrated art campus model that documents, develops, explores, preserves, and transmits art to the future in line with scientific production. This holistic structure creates an art ecosystem unparalleled among world universities by bringing together museums, an art library, and academic production in a single center.
Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel: “The Art Library will make art a value that is read, explored, discussed, and scientifically passed on to the future generations.”
Reminding that Near East University is among the top 500 universities in the world, İrfan Suat Günsel, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Near East Enterprises, said, “This success also brings us a great responsibility. We carry 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 parts of this approach.”
Prof. Dr. Günsel added, “Supporting the cultural heritage of tens of thousands of artworks accumulated in our museums with knowledge, research, and academic production is our fundamental priority.” İrfan Suat Günsel also said, “The Art Library will transform art into a value that is read, explored, discussed, and scientifically passed on to the future generations.” Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel added, “With our museums, exhibitions, open-air sculpture collections, and now our Art Library, we are creating a campus identity unparalleled on a global scale. This structure both strengthens our international visibility and creates an inspiring learning and production environment for our students and academics.”